Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Martinez
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your chosen private waste hauler and neighborhood route.
Recycling
Available via private hauler subscription or free drop-off at Columbia County Recycling Centers (Tuesday through Saturday).
Yard Waste
Available via private hauler subscription or pre-paid bag and sticker programs on designated collection days.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Because Martinez is an unincorporated area in Columbia County, curbside garbage and recycling are arranged directly with private haulers, while county water and stormwater services are billed separately by Columbia County Water Utility.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly or Monthly (set by private hauler)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Martinez Residential Waste Collection Guidelines
For residents of Martinez, managing household trash falls under the regulations of Columbia County. Most neighborhoods are serviced by franchised haulers that provide weekly curbside pickup. To ensure a smooth process, you need to place your designated rollout cart at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. Spacing is crucial for automated trucks, so keep your bins at least three feet apart from one another and clear of mailboxes, parked vehicles, and low-hanging tree branches.
Bi-Weekly Recycling Cycles and Material Rules
Curbside recycling in the Martinez area is collected on an alternating bi-weekly schedule. When preparing your recycling bin, all items must be clean, empty, and loose. Acceptable materials include flattened cardboard, paper, metal cans, and rigid plastics. However, it is essential to keep plastic bags, glass, and tangled items out of the recycling cart. If you find your container overflowing before your scheduled collection, the county strongly encourages waiting until the bin is fully loaded rather than cramming items in and preventing the lid from closing.
Managing Yard Debris and Storm Runoff
Martinez homeowners take pride in their landscaping, but improper disposal of yard waste can negatively impact local waterways. Columbia County Environmental Management strictly advises against hosing or blowing grass clippings and leaves into storm drains. Instead, sweep up your yard waste. Bagged lawn clippings and small branches are typically picked up by your solid waste provider, but you must ensure they are properly bundled according to your specific hauler's weight and size limits to avoid missed collections.
Proper Disposal of Hazardous and Electronic Waste
Certain items should never be tossed into your standard household garbage. Electronic waste like computers, monitors, and TVs contain heavy metals and are banned from typical landfills. Fortunately, the Columbia County Household Hazardous Waste Program occasionally hosts free drop-off events for Martinez residents to safely dispose of toxic chemicals, old paint, and corrosives. For rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and small appliances, the county's recycling center on William Few Parkway accepts items, though some appliances may require a modest $5 to $10 disposal fee.
Appliance Recycling and Special Bulk Hauls
Getting rid of a broken refrigerator or an old couch requires a bit of extra planning. Large appliances like dishwashers, freezers, and air conditioners cannot be left at the curb for standard weekly trucks. Martinez residents must either schedule a special bulk pickup with their assigned waste hauler or transport the items directly to the county drop-off facility. Keep in mind that freon-containing units often incur environmental processing fees, so calling ahead to confirm pricing and availability is always the best approach.
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
What time should my trash bins be at the curb in Martinez?
All garbage and recycling containers must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated pickup day to guarantee collection by the automated trucks.
Can I throw alkaline batteries in my normal recycling bin?
No. Standard alkaline batteries (like AA and AAA) are not accepted in curbside recycling or the county drop-off. However, you can safely recycle rechargeable lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries at specific county facilities.
How often is recycling collected in my neighborhood?
Residential recycling in Martinez is picked up on a bi-weekly basis. It is recommended to flatten all cardboard boxes to maximize the space inside your bin during the two-week cycle.