Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Duluth
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.
City-issued Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be bagged before being placed inside the cart. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard kitchen trash bags
City-issued Cart (usually Blue) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loose and unbagged in the recycling cart. Ensure all containers are completely empty, clean, and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1 and #2)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Paper food cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
For curbside pickup (subscription required), use brown paper lawn bags (max 10 per week). For drop-off at Public Works, debris must be loose or in paper bags (no plastic).
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Pine straw
- ✓Tree limbs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (Curbside fee or free Drop-off)
Placement
For curbside service, items must be placed at the curb after prepaying Republic Services. Do not block sidewalks or your automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Large bulky items
- ✓ Moving boxes (broken down)
- ✓ Lawnmowers (drained of fluids)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Mattresses and box springs (at dumpsters)
- ✕ Remodeling and construction debris
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Wet paint and hazardous chemicals
Curbside pickup is $65 per request. Drop-off at Public Works requires a free Dumpster Card (which allows 12 trips per year).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Republic Services typically delays curbside collection by one day if a major holiday falls on a weekday. The Public Works dumpsters observe additional closures, including the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
Yard Waste Exception
Curbside yard waste and bulk pickups follow the same one-day delay as standard garbage during holiday weeks.
Always check the City of Duluth's website for the specific year's dumpster closure calendar, as they are closed for multi-day stretches around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of the Cart
Glass breaks during automated collection and ruins bales of recyclable paper. Never place glass in your curbside recycling cart; utilize the Public Works drop-off bin instead.
Plastic Bags Jam the Gears
Do not place your recyclables inside plastic garbage bags, and never throw loose plastic grocery bags into the recycling cart. They tangle in the sorting facility's equipment.
Dry Your Paint
The Public Works dumpsters cannot accept wet paint or hazardous liquids due to EPA regulations. To dispose of latex paint, mix it with kitty litter until it is completely dry and solid, then throw the open can in your household trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March to MaySpring renovations generate specific waste that is banned from city dumpsters. Sheetrock, tile, roofing shingles, and old cabinets cannot be brought to Public Works; they must be hauled directly to a facility like the Richland Creek landfill.
Summer
June to AugustTires from summer road trips or landscaping equipment cannot be thrown in the dumpsters or curbside carts. By state law, you must recycle tires at an auto shop or special processing site.
Winter
December to JanuaryDuring the winter holidays, the Public Works dumpsters close for extended periods, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas. Plan your heavy cleanouts accordingly.
About Duluth Waste Management
The Transition to Automated Carts
In May 2024, the City of Duluth transitioned away from its legacy manual bag-and-bin system, shifting to fully automated cart collections operated by Republic Services. Residents are now provided with standardized rolling carts for both household garbage and recycling. Collection routes were expanded to a five-day-a-week schedule, streamlining neighborhood traffic and improving sanitation worker safety.
The Duluth Dumpster Card Program
As a unique benefit, residents living within the incorporated city limits of Duluth can access the Public Works dumpsters for free disposal of yard debris, moving boxes, and select bulky items. To use the facility, residents must apply for an annual 'Dumpster Card' by presenting a recent utility bill. Each card allows for twelve punches (trips) per year. Please note that apartment complex residents and businesses are not eligible for this program.
Subscription-Based Curbside Yard Waste
If hauling leaves and grass clippings to the Public Works dumpsters isn't convenient, residents can opt-in to a subscription-based curbside yard waste service. For an annual fee of $156, Republic Services will collect up to 10 brown paper lawn bags per service week directly from your curb. This service must be set up directly through Republic Services, not the city.
Glass is Strictly Drop-Off Only
To protect recycling machinery and preserve the value of paper bales, glass bottles and jars are no longer accepted in Duluth's curbside recycling carts. Instead, residents can bring rinsed glass containers to the specialized glass recycling bin located at the Public Works Complex on Main Street. The glass bin is only accessible during normal dumpster operating hours and requires presenting your Dumpster Card or utility bill.
Scheduling Bulk Removals
For large items like furniture or appliances, Duluth residents have two options. You can use a punch on your Dumpster Card to drop the item off at Public Works (mattresses excluded), or you can pay Republic Services $65 for a scheduled curbside bulk pickup (limited to two items per request). Curbside bulk collections must be scheduled and prepaid in advance by calling Republic Services.
Drop-off Facilities
Duluth Public Works Complex (Dumpsters & Glass)
2450 Main Street, Duluth, GA 30096
Materials Accepted
Richland Creek Landfill
5691 S. Richland Creek Road, Buford, GA
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Duluth Dumpster Card?
Residents living within the incorporated city limits can apply for a Dumpster Card at the Public Works facility (2450 Main Street) Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or online. You must provide a recent utility bill as proof of residency. Apartment residents are not eligible.
What happened to the small blue recycling bins?
In May 2024, Duluth transitioned to automated side-loading trucks. The old 18-gallon open-top bins cannot be lifted by the new machinery. You can keep the old bin for repurposing around the house, or place it empty at the curb for Republic Services to collect and recycle.
Can I bring an old mattress to the Public Works dumpsters?
No. The Public Works dumpsters strictly prohibit mattresses and box springs. To dispose of a mattress, you must either schedule a paid $65 bulk pickup with Republic Services or haul it to a commercial landfill like Richland Creek.
Does Duluth provide free curbside yard waste pickup?
No. Curbside yard waste is an optional subscription service through Republic Services, costing $156 annually for up to 10 bags per week. However, city residents can dispose of yard waste for free by bringing it to the Public Works dumpsters using their Dumpster Card.