Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Pooler
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.
Green lid cart Bin (Trash)
Collected once per week. Carts must be placed at the curb according to automated collection guidelines, clear of obstructions.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-hazardous household refuse
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Glass bottles
- ✓Commercial refuse
Green or Yellow lid cart (depending on zone) Bin (Recycling)
Collected every other week based on your Green or Yellow zone schedule. Do not bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
- ✓Paper and Cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Clean pizza boxes and aseptic packaging
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles, windows, mirrors
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Styrofoam and aluminum foil
- ✕Food-tainted items and yard clippings
- ✕Plastic wrap and packing peanuts
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in BROWN PAPER BAGS (max 45 lbs, max 10 bags). Limbs must be stacked neatly (max 4x4x4 feet), with trunks/limbs no larger than 4 inches in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass trimmings
- ✓Mulch
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree limbs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Not provided curbside by default
Placement
Do not place bulk items in or next to your carts, as they will not be collected by Atlantic Waste.
Accepted
Not Accepted
- ✕ Furniture
- ✕ Mattresses
- ✕ Large appliances
- ✕ Construction debris
Residents must hire a private junk removal company or haul large items to a Chatham County drop-off facility at their own expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Atlantic Waste only observes New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Collections falling on or after these holidays in that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is picked up on the same day as your household garbage and follows the exact same holiday delay schedule.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, it typically does not impact the Monday-Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Banish Plastic Bags for Yard Debris
The city will not collect yard waste in plastic bags because they are unrecyclable and jam processing equipment. Use only brown paper yard bags for grass and leaves.
Plastics #1 and #2 Only
Recycling is strictly limited to plastics #1 and #2. Yogurt cups, plastic toys, bubble wrap, and plastics #3-7 will contaminate the load and must go in the trash.
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to AugustDuring hurricane and severe storm season, ensure your carts are secured. After a storm, separate your yard waste from your regular garbage for collection, and ensure limb piles meet city size requirements.
Winter
December to JanuaryFollowing Christmas, remember that Atlantic Waste observes Christmas Day and New Year's Day, which shifts schedules by one day. Do not put wrapping paper with foil or wax boxes in your recycling cart.
About Pooler Waste Management
Automated Cart Transition and Placement
In 2023, Atlantic Waste transitioned to a fully automated collection system for Pooler residents. Strict cart placement guidelines are now enforced for both the garbage and recycling carts to ensure efficient curbside service [1.1.1]. Carts must be placed at the curb with adequate clearance from mailboxes, vehicles, and utility poles.
The Green and Yellow Recycling Zones
Pooler operates a bi-weekly recycling system that divides the city into 'Green' and 'Yellow' zones. Depending on your designated zone, recyclables will be collected once every other week in a specific color-coded lid cart (Green or Yellow). Residents must check their specific utility billing schedule to determine their correct recycling week.
Brown Paper Bags Required for Yard Waste
Yard waste in Pooler requires specific preparation. All grass trimmings and leaves must be packed strictly in brown paper yard bags weighing no more than 45 pounds each. Plastic bags are completely banned for yard debris because they are unrecyclable and jam the processing equipment.
No Bulk Pickup Provided
Unlike many municipalities, the standard City of Pooler sanitation service through Atlantic Waste expressly states that there is 'NO BULK PICKUP'. Homeowners cannot leave mattresses, furniture, or large appliances at the curb. Instead, residents must hire a private junk removal service or haul large items to a Chatham County drop-off center at their own expense.
Strict Limits on Hazardous and Medical Waste
The city has firm restrictions on what can be placed in your household trash cart. Medical waste is strictly limited to 2 pounds per week. Furthermore, wet paint, extreme acidic chemicals, and radioactive materials are explicitly prohibited. Paint must be completely dried out before it can be disposed of in standard garbage.
Drop-off Facilities
Sharon Park Drop-Off Center
50 Kelly Hill Road, Garden City, GA 31408
Materials Accepted
Chatham County Drop-Off Center (Concord Road)
7022 Concord Road, Savannah, GA 31410
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Pooler offer curbside bulk trash pickup?
No. The City of Pooler's sanitation guidelines explicitly state that there is 'NO BULK PICKUP' provided with regular residential service. Homeowners must hire a private junk removal company or haul their large items to a Chatham County drop-off center.
How do I dispose of yard waste in Pooler?
Yard waste must be placed in brown paper bags, with a strict limit of 10 bags per pickup, and each bag must not exceed 45 pounds. Tree limbs should be stacked neatly in piles no larger than 4' x 4' x 4' and limbs must be under 4 inches in diameter. Plastic bags are not allowed.
What goes in my yellow or green-lid recycling cart?
Your designated recycling cart accepts plastics #1 and #2, paper, cardboard, metal cans, and clean pizza boxes. However, glass bottles, styrofoam, and plastic wrap are strictly prohibited.
Will Atlantic Waste pick up my trash on holidays?
Atlantic Waste only observes three holidays: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your collection day falls on or after one of these holidays during the work week, your service will be delayed by one day.