Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Richmond Hill
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 Bin (Trash)
Carts must face the road, be placed at least 2 feet from the curb, and be out by 6:00 AM on your scheduled pickup day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Landfill-only waste
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Yellow Lid Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week. All bottles, cans, and containers must be completely clean before being placed in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
- ✓Paper and cardboard
- ✓Metal cans and aluminum
- ✓Clean pizza boxes
- ✓Aseptic packaging
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and windows
- ✕Plastics #3-7
- ✕Aerosol cans
- ✕Styrofoam and bubble wrap
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard clippings
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in paper bags and kept at least 10 feet away from household garbage containers. Have out by 7:00 AM on Tuesdays or Thursdays based on your zone.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Pinecones and moss
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small limbs (4-5 feet long, under 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Annually (typically March or April)
Placement
Place eligible items on the curb by 7:00 AM on the morning of your zone's scheduled pick-up. Ensure clear access for the boom truck.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Select household appliances
- ✓ Other large bulky items not fitting in regular trash
Not Accepted
- ✕ Refrigerators and freezers (Freon products)
- ✕ Tires and batteries
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Lawnmowers and gas products
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Cardboard boxes or trash bags full of regular garbage
Provided free-of-charge to current Richmond Hill residential water account users.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular pick-up day falls on or after a major holiday, your collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
City-operated yard waste pickups may be paused during official City of Richmond Hill government holidays.
For the most precise updates regarding a specific holiday, always cross-reference the annual Atlantic Waste collection calendar on the city's website.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of the Yellow Cart
Although it may seem recyclable, Atlantic Waste does not accept any glass in Richmond Hill curbside carts. All glass bottles, mirrors, and ceramics must go directly into the green trash cart.
Clean Pizza Boxes Only
While pizza boxes are technically allowed, grease completely ruins the paper recycling process. Tear off and discard the greasy bottom half in the trash, and only place the clean, dry lid in the recycling bin.
Mandatory Paper Yard Bags
Never use plastic bags for your leaves or grass clippings. Richmond Hill crews require all loose yard debris to be stored in biodegradable paper yard bags, or it will be left at the curb.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - AprilThe city's massive Annual Bulk Trash Cleanup kicks off in mid-March or April. Keep in mind that all regular yard waste pickups are suspended during this event until every zone has been fully serviced by the boom trucks.
Summer/Fall
June - NovemberDuring Atlantic hurricane season, high coastal winds can turn uncollected yard waste into dangerous projectiles. Secure all green and yellow carts, and delay putting out large yard piles if a severe storm is approaching Bryan County.
Winter
December - JanuaryPost-holiday overflow is a common issue. Do not attempt to recycle shiny wrapping paper, bows, or styrofoam packaging in the yellow cart. All standard cardboard boxes must be broken down to fit inside the bin with the lid fully closed.
About Richmond Hill Waste Management
Richmond Hill's Dual Solid Waste Services
Richmond Hill operates a split solid waste management system to best serve its residents. Standard household garbage and bi-weekly recycling are managed by a private contractor, Atlantic Waste. Meanwhile, the City of Richmond Hill's Public Works department takes charge of weekly yard waste pickups and the highly anticipated annual bulk trash event. This division of labor ensures that specialized crews handle specific materials efficiently across Bryan County.
Coastal Georgia Recycling Guidelines
Protecting the local coastal environment is a top priority, which is why Richmond Hill enforces strict recycling guidelines. Residents are provided with a yellow-lidded cart serviced every other week. It is crucial to note that glass, styrofoam, and tanglers like plastic wrap are entirely prohibited. Atlantic Waste strictly processes plastics #1 and #2, clean paper, cardboard, and metal cans, requiring all containers to be rinsed clean to prevent contamination.
The Massive Annual Bulk Trash Event
Instead of offering year-round bulk pickups, Richmond Hill consolidates this service into a major, city-wide spring cleanup event, typically occurring in March or April. Over several weeks, boom trucks travel zone-by-zone—from Mulberry to Heartwood—collecting large furniture and certain appliances entirely free of charge for residential water customers. Regular yard waste collections are paused during this period until all bulk zones are successfully cleared.
Navigating Yard Waste in Bryan County
The city's Public Works department provides yard waste collection on Tuesdays and Thursdays, depending on your neighborhood zone. Because the humid Georgia climate causes rapid vegetation growth, adherence to the rules is necessary for quick collection. All grass clippings, pinecones, and leaves must be placed in paper biodegradable bags. Large tree limbs over six inches in diameter or five feet in length will be left at the curb, requiring homeowners to self-haul them to the landfill.
Holiday Schedule Adjustments
Whether you are celebrating Independence Day or Thanksgiving, Atlantic Waste observes a standard delay protocol for major holidays. If your collection day falls on or after a recognized holiday, your curbside service is pushed back by exactly one day for the remainder of that week. For the most accurate, up-to-date adjustments, residents should always consult the official municipal collection calendar.
Drop-off Facilities
Bryan County Landfill
Fort McAllister Road, Richmond Hill, GA
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles the trash and recycling pickup in Richmond Hill, GA?
Regular household garbage and bi-weekly recycling are managed by Atlantic Waste, a private contractor. However, the City of Richmond Hill's Public Works department handles the weekly yard waste and the annual bulk trash event.
Can I put glass bottles in my recycling cart?
No. Glass is strictly prohibited in the yellow-lidded recycling carts in Richmond Hill. You must dispose of all glass items in your standard green garbage cart.
What happens if I miss the annual bulk trash pickup?
Because the city only offers curbside bulk pickup once a year in the spring, any large furniture or unaccepted items generated outside this window must be hauled directly to the Bryan County Landfill on Fort McAllister Road by the resident.
What is the size limit for tree limbs placed out for yard waste?
The city's Public Works crews will only collect limbs that are between 4 and 5 feet in length and no more than 6 inches in diameter. Any branches exceeding these limits are the homeowner's responsibility to haul away.