Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Powder Springs
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 95-gallon cart Bin (Trash)
All trash MUST be bagged before going into the cart to prevent windblown litter. Carts must be at the curb the night before collection. Extra bags outside the cart will not be picked up without a paid work order.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged household debris
No curbside bin provided Bin (Recycling)
Curbside recycling is not offered. Residents must bring sorted recyclables to the Public Works facility drop-off bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics
- ✓Paper
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household trash
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on Mondays only. Must use biodegradable paper bags (max 20 lbs each) or create a single brush pile under 3x3x3 feet. Limit of 6 free bags per week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Pine straw
- ✓Limbs and branches (under 6 inches in diameter and 3 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request on your regular trash day (or free during Reside With Pride weeks)
Placement
Place approved items at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated day. Items out without a confirmed work order will be ignored by crews.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and recliners
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (empty of food/liquids, doors removed)
- ✓ Televisions
- ✓ Disassembled trampolines and basketball goals
Not Accepted
- ✕ Carpet and padding
- ✕ Building materials (lumber, sheetrock, fencing)
- ✕ Tires and car parts
- ✕ Wooden swing sets
- ✕ Hazardous toxic materials
Fees are charged per item (e.g., $30 for a sofa, $35 for a mattress, $50 for a refrigerator). A maximum of 2 appliances or 4 furniture items are allowed per week.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on your normal trash collection day, your pickup will shift to the next business day. Following days that week typically also shift backward by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
There is absolutely no Monday yard waste collection during any week containing an observed city holiday. The yard waste service resumes the following week.
Always check your quarterly utility bill message line for exact holiday week schedule shifts, as the city prints reminders there.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Use Plastic Bags for Yard Debris
State law prohibits plastic in compost landfills. If you put your grass clippings or leaves in standard plastic garbage bags, the Powder Springs sanitation crews will leave them at the curb.
Containerize and Label Sharp Objects
To protect sanitation workers, never throw broken glass, mirrors, or loose sharp objects directly into your trash bag. Box them securely, tape them shut, and clearly label the package as SHARP.
Keep Liquids and Hot Ashes Out
Do not place hot fireplace ashes, wet paint, engine oil, or loose liquids in your 95-gallon garbage cart. They can melt the plastic, cause cart fires, or leak onto neighborhood streets.
Seasonal Information
Spring
MarchThe city typically holds its first Reside With Pride week in early March. Mark your calendar, as this is your best opportunity to clear out garages and attics, as bulk fees are temporarily waived for city sanitation customers.
Fall
October to NovemberDuring peak autumn leaf drop, remember the strict Monday yard waste rules. Only your first six paper leaf bags are free. If you have a massive pile, you must request a work order and pay a fee for bags 7 through 20.
Winter
December to JanuaryThe city suspends all yard waste and brush collection during major holiday weeks (like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's). Hold your yard debris until the following regular Monday collection.
About Powder Springs Waste Management
Exclusive Public Sanitation Services
In the City of Powder Springs, residential trash collection is strictly handled by the municipal Sanitation Department. Under city ordinances, no outside private haulers are allowed to operate within city limits for standard residential pick up. All single-family homes are required to use the municipal service, which is billed quarterly and includes a 95-gallon cart for weekly garbage collection.
Mandatory Trash Bagging Policy
One of the strictest rules in Powder Springs is that all garbage placed inside your city-issued 95-gallon cart must be fully bagged. Throwing loose paper, fast food wrappers, or unbagged household waste into the cart often leads to windblown litter during the automated tipping process. Residents who fail to bag their trash properly may be held responsible for cleaning up the resulting neighborhood mess.
Monday-Only Yard Waste and Brush Collection
Managing grass clippings and seasonal yard trimmings requires some planning. The city operates a dedicated yard waste and brush route strictly on Mondays. Residents must place their items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. in biodegradable paper lawn bags, as plastic bags are strictly banned by state law. Keep in mind that only the first six yard bags are picked up for free; any excess bags require a work order and will incur a per-bag fee.
Free Bulk Pickup During Reside With Pride
Twice a year—typically in early March and October—Powder Springs hosts a city-wide cleanup initiative called Reside With Pride. During these special weeks, sanitation crews will collect extra household trash, furniture, and up to two major appliances at no additional cost directly on your normal collection day. During the rest of the year, bulky item disposal requires a paid work order and a 24-hour advance notice.
Centralized Drop-Off Recycling Center
Because the city does not currently provide residential curbside recycling routes, residents are encouraged to actively sort and drop off their recyclable materials at the designated Public Works facility located on Springs Industrial Drive. This centralized drop-off site helps the community reduce local landfill waste without drastically increasing the standard cost of weekly curbside sanitation services.
Drop-off Facilities
Powder Springs Public Works Drop-off
3006 Springs Industrial Drive, Powder Springs, GA 30127
Materials Accepted
Cobb County Transfer Station
1897 County Services Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30008
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away an old mattress in Powder Springs?
You cannot just leave it at the curb. You must contact the Sanitation Department at least 24 hours before your regular trash day to request a bulk work order. A fee of roughly $35 will be added to your utility bill for mattress removal.
Why did the city leave my yard waste bags at the curb?
Common reasons include: placing it out on the wrong day (yard waste is strictly Monday), using plastic bags instead of biodegradable paper, exceeding the 20-pound limit per bag, or setting out more than the 6 free bags without a paid work order.
Does the City of Powder Springs offer curbside recycling?
No. The city does not pick up recycling bins at the curb. If you wish to recycle, you must take your sorted materials directly to the drop-off bins located at the Public Works facility on Springs Industrial Drive.
What is Reside With Pride week?
Reside With Pride is a biannual city-wide cleanup event (usually in March and October). During this week, city sanitation customers can put extra household trash, large furniture, and up to two appliances at the curb on their normal trash day for free bulk pickup.