Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Kennesaw
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-provided 95-gallon cart Bin (Trash)
Trash is collected once a week on designated days (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday). Place carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged trash
City-provided recycle cart Bin (Recycling)
Curbside recycling is collected every other week by Republic Services. Bins must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Do not bag standard recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Shredded paper (must be bagged)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic bags (store, bread, ziploc)
- ✕Styrofoam and frozen food containers
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Garden hoses and tarps
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in paper lawn bags (max 30 gal) or rigid containers with lids (max 32 gal / 50 lbs). Limit of 15 bags or 3 containers per pickup. Pile size max: 10 ft long by 6 ft wide by 4 ft tall.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Pine straw
- ✓Small hedge trimmings
- ✓Branches (under 4 ft long and 2 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by appointment
Placement
Place approved, paid items at the curb prior to your scheduled collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large auto parts
- ✓ Domestic and commercial appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, cement, and concrete
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Contractor or construction debris
Fees vary based on the item. Note: There are absolutely no refunds if someone scavenges your item before the city collects it.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a Monday, all routes for the week are delayed by one day. For midweek holidays, collections on and after the holiday are delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is picked up on the same day as your trash, so it follows the exact same holiday delay schedule.
The City includes holiday schedule reminders in your sanitation bill and the bi-monthly e-newsletter.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Glass in the Recycle Cart
Glass is completely excluded from Kennesaw's curbside recycling. Throw it in your regular trash cart or take it to a local drop-off recycling center.
Bag Your Shredded Paper
While standard recycling should remain loose and unbagged, Kennesaw specifies that shredded paper is acceptable only if it is securely bagged to prevent it from blowing around the neighborhood.
Keep Plastic Film Out
Grocery bags, Ziploc bags, and cellophane food wrap jam the sorting machinery at Republic Services facilities. Return plastic grocery bags to local retail stores for recycling instead.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March to MayWhen tackling spring landscaping, remember the city's strict volume limits: brush piles can be no larger than 10 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 4 feet tall to be collected.
Fall
October to DecemberAutumn leaves must be bagged in paper yard refuse bags (up to 15 bags per week) or placed in rigid 32-gallon containers. Do not blow leaves into the street or storm drains.
Winter
November to JanuaryTrash routes are delayed during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks. A Tuesday holiday pushes Tuesday collections to Wednesday, and so on for the remainder of the week.
About Kennesaw Waste Management
Kennesaw's Dual-Provider Curbside System
The City of Kennesaw operates a unique, dual-provider sanitation model. The city's own Public Works department directly handles weekly household garbage and yard waste collections, while bi-weekly curbside recycling is contracted out to Republic Services. All services are billed centrally through the city's utility billing department, ensuring a seamless experience for residents.
Strict Rules for Yard Trimmings
Kennesaw takes its 'green waste' collection seriously, picking it up on the exact same day as your regular household trash. Residents are allowed a maximum of fifteen 30-gallon lawn bags or three 32-gallon reusable containers per week. If you have loose brush, limbs must be cut to four feet or less, be no thicker than two inches in diameter, and piled neatly.
Bulk Pickups and Scavenger Policies
Need to get rid of a sofa or old mattress? Bulk item collection is available by appointment only and requires pre-payment through Public Works. Notably, Kennesaw has a strict 'no refund' policy for bulk waste: if a scavenger drives by and takes your item from the curb before the city truck arrives, your pre-paid fee will not be returned.
Glass is Banned from the Bin
Like many municipalities updating their sustainability guidelines, Kennesaw does not accept any glass bottles or jars in the curbside recycling bins. Broken glass contaminates paper and cardboard bales and creates hazards for sorting facility workers. Glass must either be thrown in the regular garbage or taken to specialized drop-off recycling centers in Cobb County.
Handling Payment and Missed Pickups
Sanitation charges are grouped into your regular Kennesaw utility bill. Keep in mind that paying your sanitation bill over the phone incurs an additional $5 charge. If you experience a missed trash, yard debris, or recycling pickup, you must contact Public Works promptly rather than leaving it on the curb indefinitely.
Drop-off Facilities
Cobb County Transfer Station
1897 County Services Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30008
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk item pickup in Kennesaw?
To throw out bulky items like furniture or appliances, you must call Kennesaw Public Works at 770-421-8582 to schedule an appointment. You must pre-pay for the service, and fees vary depending on the item's size and weight.
Why didn't I get a refund when a scavenger took my bulk item?
The City of Kennesaw has a strict policy that no refunds are issued if an unauthorized person (a 'scavenger') takes your bulk item from the curb before the Public Works truck arrives for your scheduled and pre-paid pickup.
What are the rules for yard waste in Kennesaw?
Yard debris is collected on your regular trash day. You can set out up to fifteen 30-gallon bags or three 32-gallon cans (max 50 lbs each). Limbs and branches cannot exceed 4 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter, and the total brush pile must not be larger than 10' x 6' x 4'.
Is glass accepted in my Kennesaw recycling cart?
No. Kennesaw and its recycling partner, Republic Services, do not accept glass of any kind in the curbside recycling bins. All glass must be disposed of in your regular trash or taken to a local Cobb County drop-off recycling center.