Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Griffin
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 garbage must be contained in a securely tied plastic bag before being placed into the cart. Loose trash is not permitted. Carts must be at the curb by 6:30 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Bagged pet litter
- ✓Disposable diapers
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
N/A (Drop-Off Only) Bin (Recycling)
Griffin does not provide curbside recycling. Residents must transport accepted recyclables to the Transfer Station at 1515 Industrial Dr. All cardboard must be flattened and free of food contamination.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard (OCC)
- ✓Type 1 and 2 plastics
- ✓Electronics waste (TVs, computers)
- ✓Scrap metal (no appliances)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Hazardous liquids
Yard Waste Bin
Small amounts can be bagged and placed in the trash cart. Oversized yard waste loads require a paid 'Special Handling' request for curbside pickup, or residents can drop off one free load per month at the Shoal Creek Landfill.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Request (Special Handling)
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb until your Special Handling request has been approved and explicitly scheduled by the Solid Waste Department.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Oversized yard waste loads
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Medical waste
- ✕ Car batteries
- ✕ Motor oil
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Curbside bulk collection requires an additional Special Handling fee. Alternatively, residents can drop off one truckload per month for free at the Transfer Station by showing their Griffin solid waste bill and ID.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a recognized city holiday occurs, city administrative offices close, and the regular garbage pickup schedule is typically delayed by one day for the remainder of the holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
Paid Special Handling requests for oversized yard waste may be suspended or delayed during holiday weeks to allow crews to manage fluctuating household waste volumes.
Holiday schedules are subject to change. Always check the City of Griffin News & Calendar page or call the Solid Waste Department at (770) 229-6421 to verify your adjusted pickup date.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Lithium-Ion Batteries Out
Products containing lithium-ion batteries—such as vapes, cell phones, and children's toys—are strictly prohibited in Griffin garbage carts. They pose a severe fire risk to collection trucks. Contact the Griffin Fire Department for proper disposal locations.
Bag Everything Securely
Unlike some municipalities that allow loose trash, Griffin mandates that all waste must be enclosed in securely tied plastic bags before going into your curbside cart. This stops wind-blown litter and keeps pests out of the trucks.
Clean Your Cardboard
When dropping off Old Corrugated Cardboard (OCC) at the Transfer Station, ensure it is completely flattened and free of grease or food residue. A greasy pizza box can ruin a bale of clean paper recyclables.
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to AugustHigh heat in Spalding County accelerates bacterial growth and odors in trash bins. Securely bagging all household garbage, especially food waste and diapers, is crucial during Georgia summers to prevent fly and maggot infestations.
Autumn
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf-drop season, residents generating large volumes of yard debris are encouraged to utilize their free monthly drop-off allowance at the Shoal Creek Landfill rather than overloading their curbside bins.
Spring
March to MaySpring cleaning often generates excess bulky waste. Remember that your City of Griffin solid waste bill entitles you to one free pickup truckload drop-off per month at the Transfer Station for bulky items like old furniture and mattresses.
About Griffin Waste Management
Exclusive City-Issued Container Service
The City of Griffin provides dependable weekly curbside garbage collection using designated city-issued carts. To maintain clean neighborhoods and prevent litter, the city strictly mandates that all household garbage must be securely tied in plastic bags before being placed into the cart. This rule specifically includes loose items, pet litter, and diapers. Because routes begin early, carts must be at the curb no later than 6:30 AM on your scheduled service day.
Managing Bulky Items Through Special Handling
If you have oversized waste like an old couch, mattress, or a broken washing machine, you cannot simply leave it next to your trash cart. Griffin offers a 'Special Handling' curbside pickup service for these exact situations. Residents must contact the Solid Waste Department to request this service and pay the associated extra fee before moving their heavy, bulky items or oversized yard waste loads to the street.
Transfer Station Perks for Griffin Residents
One of the best benefits for City of Griffin residential curbside customers is complimentary access to the local Transfer Station. If you prefer not to pay the Special Handling curbside fee, you can haul your bulky items (like furniture and carpets) directly to the Transfer Station at 1515 Industrial Drive. Residents are allowed one free pickup truckload per month; you just need to present your ID and a recent City of Griffin solid waste utility bill.
Where to Recycle in Griffin
While Griffin does not currently offer a standard curbside recycling bin program, eco-conscious residents still have local drop-off options. Clean, flattened Old Corrugated Cardboard (OCC) and bulk recyclables, such as type 1 and 2 plastics, can be brought directly to the Griffin Transfer Station. Ensuring these materials are free of food waste and liquid is critical to preventing contamination.
Handling Yard Waste and Construction Debris
It is important to know that yard waste and construction and demolition (C&D) debris are strictly prohibited at the Transfer Station. Instead, Griffin directs these specific materials to the Shoal Creek Landfill. City solid waste customers get the added perk of dropping off one truckload (up to 4'x4'x2') of yard waste per month at no charge, which the facility grinds into free compost and mulch for the community.
Drop-off Facilities
Griffin Transfer Station
1515 Industrial Dr., Griffin, GA 30223
Materials Accepted
Shoal Creek Landfill
575 Shoal Creek Rd., Griffin, GA 30223
Materials Accepted
Akin Collection Center (Spalding County)
841 South McDonough Road, Griffin, GA 30224
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does my trash bin need to be at the curb in Griffin?
Your city-issued garbage cart must be placed at the curb by 6:30 AM on your scheduled pickup day. Routes begin early, and drivers will not return for late bins.
Can I throw loose trash directly into my city cart?
No. The City of Griffin strictly requires all garbage, including everyday waste, pet litter, and diapers, to be securely tied in plastic bags before being placed into the curbside cart.
How do I get rid of an old couch or broken mattress?
You have two choices: submit a 'Special Handling' request for an additional fee to have it picked up curbside, or take it directly to the Griffin Transfer Station on Industrial Drive, where qualifying residents receive one free truckload drop-off per month.
Does the City of Griffin have curbside recycling?
No, Griffin does not currently offer a standard curbside recycling program. However, residents can take clean, flattened Old Corrugated Cardboard (OCC) and specific bulk plastics directly to the Transfer Station for recycling.