Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Rome
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 garbage cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be contained entirely within the city-issued cart you have subscribed to. Do not place bags on the ground outside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken toys and small junk items
City-issued recycling cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. Ensure all food and liquid residue is rinsed out of plastics and cans before tossing them in the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓#1 and #2 plastic bottles, jugs, and jars (rinsed)
- ✓Aluminum and tin food/beverage cans
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and unbagged junk mail
- ✓Clean paperboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food-soiled paper
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be placed inside the city-issued 95-gallon 'Yard Waste Only' cart. The city will not collect yard debris generated by professional landscapers or lawn service companies.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and weeds
- ✓Pine straw
- ✓Small limbs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand on your regular collection day
Placement
Place items curbside by 7:00 a.m. on your regular collection day, keeping them clear of your standard rollout carts, mailboxes, and low-hanging wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Old furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household junk (non-freon)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Freezers, refrigerators, and A/C units (Freon appliances)
- ✕ Construction or demolition material (roofing, rock, cement, dirt)
- ✕ Paint, oil, or any free liquid
- ✕ Contractor debris
Standard residential bulk pickup is provided, but specialized commercial services or excessive loose debris may be subject to evaluation.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
During holiday weeks, Monday's routes (garbage, recycling, and yard waste) are collected on Tuesday, and Tuesday's routes are collected on Wednesday. Regular service remains on Thursday and Friday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as household garbage, as all streams are picked up on the same day in Rome.
Always check the 2026-2027 Holiday Schedule on the City of Rome website to confirm exact date adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Leave Glass Out of the Mix
Glass is not accepted in Rome's curbside recycling carts. Broken glass acts as a severe contaminant to paper and cardboard bales and creates a hazard at the sorting facility.
Keep Plastic Bags at the Store
The city does not collect plastic grocery bags at the curbside. Never put recyclables in a plastic bag, and do not throw empty plastic bags into the recycling cart. Return them to local retailers instead.
Contractors Must Haul Their Own Debris
If you hire a professional contractor for roofing, remodeling, or lawn care, ensure they haul the waste away. The City of Rome will not pick up contractor-generated debris.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March to MayAs spring landscaping begins, utilize your 95-gallon yard waste cart for grass and weeds. Remember that large, non-containerized loose debris requires calling the Solid Waste office to arrange collection.
Summer
June to AugustDuring the hot summer months, ensure all household garbage is securely bagged before placing it inside your city-issued cart to prevent severe odor issues and pest infestations.
Fall
October to DecemberHoliday collection weeks feature an adjusted schedule. Because Rome operates on a 4-day pickup week, Monday collections typically shift to Tuesday, and Tuesday collections shift to Wednesday during holiday weeks.
About Rome Waste Management
The Streamlined 4-Day Collection Week
The City of Rome Solid Waste Collections Department simplifies curbside service by operating on a streamlined four-day schedule (Monday through Thursday). Whether it is your household garbage, recycling bin, yard waste cart, or even scheduled bulk junk items, all of your waste streams are collected on the exact same designated day between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Mandatory Dedicated Carts
Rome utilizes an automated, cart-based collection system. Residents must subscribe to a city-issued garbage cart, and the city uniquely issues a dedicated 95-gallon 'Yard Waste Only' cart to each residence. The city strictly enforces that no household garbage placed outside of the subscribed city-issued cans will be collected by sanitation crews.
A Unique Approach to Scheduling Bulk Pickups
While many cities require residents to schedule bulk trash collections days in advance, Rome operates differently. For large junk items like old furniture, residents are instructed to place the items on the curb by 7:00 a.m. on their regular garbage day, and then call the Solid Waste office to schedule the pick-up AFTER the items are already placed at the street.
Banned Curbside Recyclables: Glass and Shredded Paper
Rome’s curbside recycling program focuses heavily on high-value, easy-to-process materials like #1 and #2 plastic bottles, metal cans, and flattened cardboard. To prevent contamination and processing hazards, the city explicitly prohibits glass containers and shredded paper in the curbside bins. These items must go in the regular garbage or be taken to specialized drop-off locations.
24/7 Drop-Off at Rome-Floyd Recycling Center
For unincorporated county residents, or city dwellers with overflow recyclables, the Rome-Floyd Recycling Center on Lavender Drive serves as a primary hub. The facility offers a convenient 24-hour drop-off area where residents can sustainably dispose of scrap metal, large appliances, books, and excess cardboard without waiting for their curbside collection day.
Drop-off Facilities
Rome-Floyd Recycling Center
412 Lavender Drive, Rome, GA 30165
Materials Accepted
Walker Mountain Landfill
1214 Walker Mountain Rd SW, Rome, GA 30161
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the City of Rome to pick up my old couch?
Place your old couch or other large furniture on the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your regularly scheduled garbage collection day. After you have placed it outside, you must call the Solid Waste office at 706-236-4580 to schedule the truck to pick it up.
Will the city collect an old refrigerator or air conditioner?
No. The City of Rome Solid Waste Collections will not pick up freezers, refrigerators, A/C units, or any appliances that contain refrigerants (Freon gas). You must dispose of these items through specialized recycling centers or scrap dealers.
Can I put glass bottles in my Rome recycling cart?
No. The city does not collect glass at the curbside. Glass containers cause significant contamination in the single-stream recycling process. You should throw glass in your regular garbage or explore specialized drop-off locations.
What should I do with my yard clippings?
The City of Rome provides residents with a 95-gallon 'Yard Waste Only' cart. Place all grass clippings, weeds, pine straw, and small limbs inside this cart. It will be collected on the same day as your household garbage. Do not bag yard waste in plastic.