Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for McDonough
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 (Republic Services) Bin (Trash)
All residential trash must be bagged and fit entirely inside the cart. The lid must close completely. No bags may be left on the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Broken down cardboard
City-issued Cart (Republic Services) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week on your normal service day. Items must be placed loosely in the cart (not bagged), and the lid must close.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (broken down flat)
- ✓Paper products
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 only
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass must be placed in clear see-through or brown paper yard bags (up to 10 bags per week). Limbs for the chipper truck must be under 4 inches in diameter and less than 4 feet long.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Limbs and branches
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Up to 3 items)
Placement
Place bulk items in the right-of-way next to your carts on collection day. Note that moving boxes are not considered bulk items and must be broken down and placed inside the carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Cardboard boxes
- ✕ Appliances with Freon (must be professionally tagged first)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Flammable materials
Bulk pickup is included in standard residential sanitation service up to the 3-item limit.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage and recycling services will be delayed by one day ONLY if an observed holiday falls directly on a scheduled service day (Tuesday or Wednesday).
Yard Waste Exception
The Public Works chipper trucks operate Monday through Thursday; Fridays are used to catch up on limb collections delayed by holidays or severe weather.
Because routes do not run on Thursdays or Fridays, holidays like Thanksgiving generally do not impact the residential pickup schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Strictly Plastics #1 and #2
McDonough's recycling program only accepts #1 and #2 plastics [1.1.1]. While water bottles and milk jugs are perfect, items like yogurt cups, clamshell take-out containers, and plastic bags must go in the regular trash.
Keep Glass Out of the Cart
Glass is not accepted in curbside recycling in McDonough. Residents should utilize the Henry County Recycle Center on West Asbury Road to sustainably drop off clear, brown, and green glass.
Clear the Curb of Obstructions
Sanitation trucks cannot service carts if vehicles are parallel parked on the street in front of them. Ensure your carts are placed with at least 3 feet of clearance from cars, mailboxes, and bulky item piles.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March to MayDuring peak landscaping season, remember the strict bagging limit. Republic Services will only collect a maximum of 10 clear or brown yard waste bags per week. Plan major yard cleanouts accordingly.
Summer
June to AugustFollowing severe summer thunderstorms, the city's limb chipper schedule may be temporarily interrupted or delayed due to the high volume of downed branches. Friday is typically utilized as a make-up day.
Winter
December to JanuaryBecause residential routing occurs only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, a Christmas or New Year's Day falling on a Thursday or Friday will not delay your pickup. Delays only occur if the holiday lands directly on your service day.
About McDonough Waste Management
Mandatory Cart Content Rules
In the City of McDonough, residential waste collection is strictly a 'cart content only' system operated by Republic Services. This means all household garbage must be bagged and fit completely inside your official, city-provided trash cart so that the lid closes flat. Loose bags placed on the ground next to the cart, or unbagged garbage thrown directly into the bin, will not be serviced by the automated trucks.
Extensive Limb and Chipping Services
The McDonough Public Works Department operates its own dedicated chipper trucks Monday through Thursday to assist residents with large brush piles. Limbs must be under 4 inches in diameter and cut to lengths shorter than 4 feet. Because crews will only spend up to 15-30 minutes per property, extremely large piles may require multiple visits. It is critical that limbs are kept free of dirt, rocks, and root balls, as these will destroy the chipping blades.
The Tuesday/Wednesday Route Benefit
A unique advantage for McDonough residents is the concentrated residential routing schedule. All residential garbage and bi-weekly recycling routes are serviced exclusively on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Because of this, major holidays that fall on a Thursday (like Thanksgiving) or Friday rarely interrupt your weekly service. The city officially notes that only holidays like MLK Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day will trigger a one-day delay.
Cardboard Is Not Bulk Waste
While the city offers an incredibly generous allowance of up to three bulky items (such as furniture or mattresses) collected weekly, moving boxes and oversized cardboard do not count toward this limit. Cardboard must be broken down completely flat and placed inside either your trash or recycling cart with the lid closed. Piles of cardboard left outside the carts will be bypassed by the collection drivers.
Macon Street Drop-Off Facility
If you miss your Tuesday or Wednesday collection day, or if you generate excess waste that won't fit in your cart, the City of McDonough provides a convenient Drop-Off Facility at 560 Macon Street. To accommodate busy residents, the facility offers extended hours Monday through Friday (with a brief closure for lunch) and is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Drop-off Facilities
City of McDonough Drop-Off Facility
560 Macon Street, McDonough, GA 30253
Materials Accepted
Henry County Recycle Center
65 West Asbury Road, McDonough, GA 30253
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of tree branches in McDonough?
Branches must be 4 inches or less in diameter and cut to lengths under 4 feet [1.1.2]. Place them in the right-of-way, and the city chipper truck will spend a maximum of 15-30 minutes per pile. Alternatively, you can put leaves and small twigs in up to 10 clear or brown bags per week for your regular Republic Services pickup.
Does McDonough have a place to drop off extra trash?
Yes, the City of McDonough operates a Drop-Off Facility located at 560 Macon Street. It is open Monday through Friday (closed briefly for lunch from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM) and is also open on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Can I recycle glass in my Republic Services cart?
No. Glass is completely banned from the curbside recycling carts. If you want to recycle glass, you must take it to the Henry County Recycle Center on West Asbury Road, which accepts clear, brown, and green glass.
What are the rules for bulk pickup in McDonough?
Residents can place up to 3 bulk items (such as mattresses or pieces of furniture) at the curb each week on their regular trash day for pickup by Republic Services. Be aware that flattened cardboard boxes do not count as bulk items and must be placed inside the carts.