Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Martinez
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.
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged and placed securely inside the cart provided by your private hauler. Carts are typically required at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled service day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Solidified paint (must be completely dry)
Drop-off Center / Blue Cart (if subscribed) Bin (Recycling)
For the Columbia County drop-off centers, all cardboard must be broken down and free of grease. Rinse all food residue from cans and plastics. Never place recyclables inside plastic garbage bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Aluminum and steel food/beverage cans
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 (rigid bottles and jugs)
- ✓Food-grade glass (clear, brown, green) at drop-off only
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass windows or candle holders
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and bubble wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not blow yard waste into storm drains. If utilizing a private curbside yard waste service, debris must typically be bagged in paper lawn bags or bundled in lengths no longer than 4 feet.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small twigs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (by appointment only)
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb (not in the street) prior to 6:00 AM on your confirmed appointment day, ensuring they do not block mailboxes, vehicles, or utility poles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household appliances (via drop-off or special hauler request)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Concrete, dirt, and heavy construction debris
- ✕ CRT monitors
Private haulers typically charge an extra fee per bulk item. Alternatively, residents can haul certain items to the county recycling center (e.g., air conditioners incur a $10 fee, stoves incur a $5 fee).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because collection is privatized, holiday schedules depend on your specific hauler (e.g., Waste Management, Ryland Environmental). Generally, if an observed holiday falls on a weekday, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
County-operated drop-off centers (like the Riverside Park Facility) are closed on all major holidays, as well as Sundays and Mondays year-round.
Always check your specific waste provider's mobile app or website portal to confirm their exact holiday routing adjustments for Martinez.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Strictly Plastics #1 and #2
Columbia County recycling facilities only accept plastics labeled with a #1 or #2 inside the recycling triangle. Plastics #3 through #7, including yogurt tubs and clamshell containers, are not accepted and will contaminate the load.
Food-Grade Glass Only
The recycling drop-off centers accept clear, brown, and green food or drink grade glass. However, they strictly prohibit non-food grade glass such as windows, tabletops, mirrors, or candle holders.
Lithium Yes, Alkaline No
The county recycling center accepts rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) and Lead Acid batteries. However, standard single-use alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, etc.) are strictly prohibited and must be thrown in the regular trash or taken to specialized battery stores.
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to AugustDuring peak thunderstorm season, ensure your private trash carts are secured and lids are closed tight to prevent lightweight plastics and trash from washing into Columbia County’s storm sewer infrastructure.
Fall
October to NovemberWith the autumn leaf drop, remember that local ordinances forbid sweeping leaves into the street or drainage ditches. Use a private yard waste subscription or compost leaves on your property.
Winter
December to JanuaryPrivate haulers usually observe major winter holidays. Expect a one-day delay in collection if Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a weekday. Live Christmas trees can often be collected if cut into sections, depending on your hauler.
About Martinez Waste Management
Navigating Subscription-Based Sanitation in Martinez
Because Martinez operates as a census-designated place within Columbia County, there is no centralized, taxpayer-funded municipal garbage collection. Homeowners must establish their own curbside trash service by subscribing to private haulers such as Waste Management, Ryland Environmental, or Augusta Disposal. Service days and specific cart guidelines will depend entirely on the specific private waste provider you choose.
Accessing County Recycling Centers
While curbside recycling often requires a premium subscription fee from private haulers, Columbia County bridges the gap by operating two exceptional drop-off facilities. For Martinez residents, the closest location is the Riverside Park Facility in neighboring Evans. Open Tuesday through Saturday, this center allows residents to sustainably dispose of flattened cardboard, metal cans, and rigid plastics without the need for a monthly curbside subscription.
Secure Hard Drive Destruction
A standout feature of Columbia County's recycling centers is their commitment to data security. If you have old computers or sensitive digital drives sitting around your home in Martinez, you can bring them to the drop-off facilities. The staff will physically remove and destroy your hard drives on-site completely free of charge before the remaining electronics are safely recycled.
Proper Disposal of Household Paint
Private haulers in Martinez strictly prohibit wet paint in curbside garbage carts, as liquid chemicals cause massive spills inside compactor trucks. Columbia County Environmental Management advises that all latex paint must be completely solidified prior to disposal. You can easily do this at home by mixing the wet paint with an absorbent material like kitty litter until it hardens, after which it can be thrown in your regular trash.
On-Demand Bulky Waste Removal
Since there is no municipal fleet conducting scheduled bulk pickup sweeps through Martinez neighborhoods, getting rid of furniture and appliances requires proactive planning. You must either contact your private hauler to schedule an on-demand bulky collection (which typically incurs a fee), hire a local junk removal service, or haul appliances directly to the county recycling center where a small fee (e.g., $10 for refrigerators, $5 for stoves) applies.
Drop-off Facilities
Riverside Park Recycling Facility
3 Dolphin Way, Evans, GA 30809
Materials Accepted
Columbia Road Transfer Station
5734 Columbia Road, Grovetown, GA 30813
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I recycle my cardboard and plastic in Martinez?
If you do not have a curbside recycling subscription, you can take broken-down cardboard, plastics (#1 and #2), glass, and metal cans to the Columbia County Riverside Park Recycling Facility located at 3 Dolphin Way in nearby Evans. It is open Tuesday through Saturday.
How do I dispose of old electronics and appliances in Martinez?
You can take most electronics and appliances to the Riverside Park Recycling Facility. Note that some items require a small processing fee (e.g., $10 for an air conditioner, $5 for a dishwasher). CRT monitors are not accepted at all. A great perk is that hard drives can be removed and destroyed on-site for free.
How should I get rid of leftover liquid paint?
Liquid chemicals and wet paint cannot be placed in your household trash. Columbia County recommends solidifying latex paint at home using kitty litter or an oil-dry product. Once the paint is completely dry and solid, it can be safely thrown into your regular garbage bin.