Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Duluth
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday, with each neighborhood assigned a specific pickup day.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard waste pickup is available as an optional add-on service through Republic Services for an annual fee, or residents can drop off yard debris for free at the Duluth Public Works Complex using a city Dumpster Card.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (and no earlier than 3:00 PM the day before).
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Basic curbside trash and recycling services are funded through the City's property tax millage rate, so residents do not receive a standard monthly waste bill. Optional services like curbside yard waste ($156/year) or bulk item pickups ($65/request) can be purchased directly through Republic Services.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Homestead and senior property tax exemptions are available via Gwinnett County/City Tax Assessor; residents with medical conditions or mobility impairments can apply for free non-curbside assistance pickup with a doctor's certification.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Duluth's Partnership with Republic Services
To maintain the vibrant, community-focused atmosphere of downtown Duluth and its surrounding neighborhoods, the city partners exclusively with Republic Services for residential waste management. This contracted service ensures that all single-family homes receive dependable, weekly garbage and recycling pickups. By following the municipal disposal guidelines, residents directly contribute to the city's cleanliness, keeping streets clear of debris and ensuring the automated collection fleet runs smoothly without unnecessary delays.
Curb Requirements and Morning Time Limits
For the automated collection arms to function without causing property damage, exact bin placement is required. Residents must wheel their standardized Republic Services carts to the street edge no later than 7:00 a.m. on their assigned pickup morning. The cart must sit on a flat surface with the lid opening facing the roadway. Crucially, a clearance of at least three feet is mandatory between the bin and any surrounding objects, such as mailboxes, vehicles, or decorative landscaping elements.
The Curbside Recycling Rules and Glass Ban
Duluth encourages robust participation in the curbside recycling program to reduce local landfill dependency. Your designated recycling cart accepts flattened cardboard boxes, paper products, aluminum cans, and plastics numbered 1 and 2. However, due to contamination issues at regional sorting facilities, glass is strictly prohibited in your curbside bin. Throwing glass bottles or jars into your standard recycling cart can lead to the entire load being rejected by the processing plant.
Dedicated Glass Drop-Off Facilities
Since glass cannot be collected at the curb, the City of Duluth has established a specialized solution for eco-conscious households. Residents can bring their clean, empty glass bottles and jars to the dedicated glass recycling drop-off container located at the Public Works facility on Buford Highway. This purple bin is accessible 24 hours a day, allowing locals to sustainably dispose of glass materials without contaminating the broader single-stream recycling network.
Heavy Furniture and Appliance Scheduling
If you are upgrading your home and need to discard oversized items like a sofa, mattress, or broken washing machine, you cannot simply drag them to the street alongside your normal trash cart. Duluth residents must proactively contact Republic Services to arrange a specialized bulk item pickup. Depending on the size and quantity of the items, additional disposal fees may be required, and hazardous materials like wet paint or old tires are completely excluded from this service.
Handling Leaves, Limbs, and Weather Delays
Yard debris collection is included in the residential service, but strict preparation rules apply. All grass clippings and leaves must be bagged, while tree limbs should be cut to lengths under four feet and neatly bundled. In the event of a severe weather emergency or a recognized federal holiday, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving, the typical collection calendar is delayed by one day. Friday pickups, for example, will slide to Saturday during a holiday week.
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
Can I put glass jars in my Duluth recycling bin?
No, glass is not accepted in the curbside recycling carts. You must take all glass bottles and jars to the purple drop-off container located at the Public Works facility on Buford Highway.
What time does Republic Services start picking up trash?
Collection routes begin early in the morning. All garbage and recycling carts must be placed securely at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day.
How do I get rid of an old mattress in Duluth?
Oversized household items require a special pickup. You must contact Republic Services directly to schedule a bulk waste collection, as standard automated trucks cannot lift heavy furniture.