Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Macon-Bibb County
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday, with each neighborhood assigned a specific weekday pickup.
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected every other week on the same weekday as your trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Yard debris and bulk waste are collected every other week on alternating designated weeks.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste fees are billed quarterly through the Macon-Bibb County Tax Commissioner's Office for all residential properties, whether occupied or vacant.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
An indigent and disability exemption is available for qualifying homeowners who meet federal poverty guidelines or have 100% disability verification through the VA or Social Security Administration.
Red Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be bagged before being placed in the red cart to prevent litter. Carts must be at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. Place them completely loose in the blue cart. Recycling is collected every other week on an alternating schedule with bulk/yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Clean paper (newspaper, magazines, mail)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Pizza boxes (grease-stained)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Place at the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated yard waste week. Must use biodegradable paper bags or create a neat unbagged pile. No plastic bags or personal cans.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small brush
- ✓Tree limbs (cut to manageable lengths and stacked neatly)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
During your scheduled alternating Yard/Bulk week.
Placement
Place your 2 scheduled bulk items 3-5 feet from the roadway and away from your red/blue carts, mailboxes, and parked cars by 6:00 AM on your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (white goods)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (roofing, lumber)
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Excess bags of normal household garbage
- ✕ Concrete or rocks
The pickup of 2 standard bulk items per designated week is included in your mandatory residential solid waste fee. Eviction cleanouts or excessive debris require a private dumpster rental.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a weekday, Ryland Environmental delays collections for the remainder of the week by one day. For example, if a holiday is on a Thursday, Thursday routes are serviced on Friday, and Friday routes on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collections observe the same one-day delay during holiday weeks as the standard trash and recycling routes.
County Convenience Centers generally modify their hours or close entirely on these observed holidays. Always verify via the Macon-Bibb website before making a trip.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to AugustGeorgia heat can quickly cause your red trash cart to smell and attract pests. Securely double-bag all food waste and occasionally rinse out your cart with a hose and mild detergent.
Fall
October to DecemberDuring heavy leaf-drop months, remember that leaves must be in biodegradable paper bags or neat piles. Do not rake leaves directly into the street gutters or storm drains.
Winter
Late December to JanuaryAfter the holidays, remove all lights, ornaments, and tinsel from your live Christmas trees before placing them at the curb during your designated yard/bulk waste collection week.
Local Tips & Community Info
Introduction to Macon-Bibb Waste Operations
Macon-Bibb County partners with Ryland Environmental to manage solid waste across the consolidated municipality. Residents are assigned a specific weekday for garbage collection based on regional zones. Because routes frequently overlap and can shift slightly, you shouldn't just guess your collection day by watching the neighborhood. Always confirm your precise pickup schedule using the county's interactive GIS map or by checking the official Ryland collection calendar to ensure you never miss a service day.
Curbside Placement and Timing Logistics
Successfully getting your trash collected depends on exact timing and cart positioning. Macon-Bibb regulations allow you to roll your bins out after 7:00 p.m. the evening prior, but they must be waiting at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on the actual collection day. Ryland’s automated trucks need adequate room to operate, meaning the cart's handles should face your home, and there needs to be a minimum three-foot radius of empty space. Keep containers clear of low-hanging limbs, parked cars, and utility poles, and remember to retrieve your carts by 7:00 p.m. that evening.
Bi-Weekly Recycling Procedures
Curbside recycling in the county operates on an every-other-week schedule rather than weekly. To keep things organized, Ryland publishes an annual color-coded calendar where yellow weeks designate recycling pickups. The recycling cart is serviced on the same day of the week as your normal garbage. It is essential to only include clean, loose items like flattened cardboard, paper, aluminum, and designated plastics. Bagged recyclables, styrofoam, and tangible hazards like batteries are strictly barred and will cause your bin to be left at the curb.
Managing Yard Debris and Heavy Bulk Items
Large landscaping waste and cumbersome furniture are handled on alternating weeks from your recycling. Marked as green weeks on the county calendar, this bi-weekly service accepts normal yard clippings, bagged leaves (keeping bags under 50 pounds), and stacked branches. It also covers bulky household goods such as old mattresses, washing machines, and broken couches. You do not need to call ahead for standard residential bulk pickup, but the materials must be placed neatly at the edge of your property by 6:00 a.m. alongside your regular bins.
Handling Holiday Schedule Shifts
During major federal holidays like New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, Ryland Environmental suspends collection operations. When a holiday falls on a weekday, all subsequent residential routes for that week are pushed back by exactly one day. If your standard day is Thursday, a Monday holiday means you will be serviced on Friday. If you believe your cart was skipped on a normal day despite following all regulations, reach out to Ryland directly at 866-898-4411 to report the missed pickup.
Drop-off Facilities
11th Street Convenience Center
1010 11th Street, Macon, GA 31201
Materials Accepted
Fulton Mill Road Convenience Center
4214 Fulton Mill Road, Macon, GA 31216
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time must my trash cart be out in Macon-Bibb?
Bins can be placed curbside after 7:00 p.m. the night before, but they must be out by 6:00 a.m. on your designated pickup day to ensure collection.
Does Macon-Bibb County have weekly recycling?
No. Curbside recycling is collected every other week on the same day as your household garbage. You can check the official Ryland Environmental calendar to find your designated yellow recycling weeks.
Who do I call to report a missed garbage pickup?
For routing issues or to report a missed cart, you should contact the service provider, Ryland Environmental, directly by calling 866-898-4411.