Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Decatur
Georgia municipal collections typically run weekly. Your exact service day is determined by your local county or city zoning schedule.
State Mandate
EPD laws restrict yard trimmings from being mixed with general household garbage.
Green (Official Bags) or City-Approved Carts Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be enclosed in official City of Decatur green bags or an approved PAYT rolling cart. Place at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Broken ceramics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the blue cart. Do not bag your recyclables. Cardboard must be broken down to fit inside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Mixed paper and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#'s 1-7)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags or a reusable rigid container marked 'Yard Debris'. Limbs must be neatly stacked.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Pine straw
- ✓Tree limbs (under 4 feet long and 4 inches thick)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Request
Placement
Place items directly behind the curb the night before your scheduled bulk pickup. Ensure they do not block sidewalks, fire hydrants, or parked vehicles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (doors removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon (unless certified evacuated)
Bulk pickup is not free. Fees must be prepaid. For exact rates per item, consult the current Decatur Public Works fee schedule.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a designated holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection is typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Monday collection moves to Tuesday).
Yard Waste Exception
During holiday weeks, yard waste collection is often suspended entirely to allow crews to focus on elevated household trash and recycling volumes.
Schedules can change unexpectedly due to severe weather. Always check the Decatur Public Works homepage for the latest alerts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
The most common contaminant in Decatur's recycling stream is the plastic grocery bag. These jam the sorting machinery at the recycling facility. Return them to local grocery stores instead of curbside bins.
Clean and Dry is the Rule
A half-empty soda can or unrinsed peanut butter jar can ruin an entire load of clean paper. Quickly rinse your glass, metal, and plastic containers, and ensure they are dry before tossing them into your blue cart.
No 'Wish-cycling' Bulky Plastics
Just because an item is made of plastic doesn't mean it goes in the blue bin. Items like plastic lawn chairs, toys, or laundry baskets should not be placed in curbside recycling.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
November to JanuaryDecatur operates a seasonal loose-leaf vacuum program. During this window, residents can rake leaves directly to the curb (behind the curb line, out of the street and storm drains) for specialized truck collection.
Winter
Late December to JanuaryFollowing the holidays, the city provides designated drop-off locations for 'Bring One for the Chipper', Georgia's annual Christmas tree recycling event. Curbside pickup for bare trees is also offered during early January.
Spring
April to MayThe city typically hosts specialized electronics recycling and paper shredding events in the spring. This is the perfect time to clear out old hard drives, TVs, and sensitive documents safely.
About Decatur Waste Management
Understanding Decatur's Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) System
Decatur, Georgia stands out with its eco-conscious Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) trash collection model. Instead of a flat sanitation fee covering unlimited garbage, residents must use official, city-branded green trash bags or opt into an annual cart subscription. This financial incentive directly encourages households to reduce waste and recycle more, ensuring that you only pay for what you throw away.
Navigating Curbside Recycling in the City
To complement the PAYT system, Decatur offers robust, single-stream curbside recycling. Residents are provided with blue recycling roll carts for easy disposal of mixed paper, cardboard, plastics, and glass. Because the city handles its own collection via the Public Works Department, adherence to clean recycling—specifically avoiding plastic bags in the blue bins—is strictly enforced to keep processing costs low.
Managing Yard Debris Under the Tree Canopy
Known for its beautiful, mature tree canopy, Decatur produces a significant amount of yard waste. The city collects grass clippings, leaves, and small branches on your regular trash day, provided they are placed in biodegradable paper yard bags or personal, reusable containers clearly marked for yard debris. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste and will not be serviced.
Handling Bulky Items and Large Appliances
When you have items too large for a green PAYT bag or your rolling cart, such as old couches or broken washing machines, a special bulk pickup is required. Decatur residents must contact the Public Works department to schedule these collections. Keep in mind that certain items may incur a nominal fee, which must be squared away before the collection truck arrives at your curb.
Drop-off Facilities
CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials)
1110 Hill St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Materials Accepted
Seminole Road Landfill
4203 Clevemont Rd, Ellenwood, GA 30294
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I purchase the official green trash bags in Decatur?
Official City of Decatur Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) green bags can be purchased at most local grocery stores, pharmacies, and hardware stores within the city limits, as well as directly at City Hall.
Can I place glass bottles in my blue recycling cart?
Yes. Unlike some neighboring municipalities in Metro Atlanta, the City of Decatur currently accepts clean, empty glass bottles and jars in its single-stream curbside recycling program.
What happens if I forget to put my trash out by 7:00 AM?
If your trash or recycling is not out by 7:00 AM and the trucks have already passed your street, they will not return. You will need to wait until your next scheduled collection day or take your waste to a local drop-off facility.
Who do I call if my garbage or recycling was missed?
If your carts or bags were at the curb by 7:00 AM but were not serviced by the end of the day, you should contact the Decatur Public Works Department at (404) 270-6232 the following morning to report the missed pickup.