Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Roswell
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 96-gallon cart Bin (Trash)
All trash MUST be bagged before being placed in the cart. The lid must close completely. Place at the curb by 8:00 AM with the wheels and handle facing the house. Keep 3 feet of clearance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Standard City Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be loose inside the container (do not bag). Place at the curb the night before or by 8:00 AM on the scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1-7
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Paper and broken-down cardboard boxes
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Food-soiled paper or pizza boxes
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in paper composting sacks or a 50-gallon reusable metal/plastic container. Plastic bags are prohibited. Limited to 12 bags or 2 cubic yards per week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree limbs (under 4 feet long, 6 inches in diameter, and 50 lbs)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By requested appointment on your normal service day.
Placement
Items must be placed at the end of your driveway by 8:00 AM on your scheduled regular garbage day after receiving appointment confirmation.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, mattresses)
- ✓ Small and large appliances
- ✓ Bicycles and swing sets
- ✓ Grills
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (wood, brick, concrete)
- ✕ Chemicals or hazardous liquids
- ✕ Automotive parts
Bulk pickup is not free. There is a strict fee of $38.12 per item, and payment must be submitted when scheduling the collection via the Financial Services Division.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Weekday holidays typically delay Roswell sanitation collection by one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Thursday routes run on Friday, Friday routes run on Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Because Waste Pro handles yard waste separately, their delay schedule generally mirrors the city's, shifting collection one day late after major holidays.
Download the official holiday sanitation schedule from the Roswell government website to ensure you don't miss any shifted dates during the Thanksgiving or Christmas weeks.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Do Not Leave Overflow Bags on the Ground
Roswell sanitation crews will only collect garbage that is fully contained within the city-issued 96-gallon cart with the lid completely closed. Any extra bags placed on the curb will be ignored unless you have scheduled a paid Large Item Pickup.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Recycling
Never bag your recyclables. While you must bag your household trash, placing plastic grocery bags or bagged recyclables in your curbside recycling cart jams the mechanical sorting screens at the processing plant.
Separate Construction Debris
Ceramic tiles, drywall, concrete, and lumber are banned from standard garbage, recycling, and bulk collection. You must transport these directly to the Roswell Transfer Station, where a $100 per ton fee applies.
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryAfter the holidays, participate in the annual 'Bring One for the Chipper' event sponsored by Keep Roswell Beautiful to properly recycle your live Christmas trees into mulch.
Spring/Fall
March & NovemberThe city hosts specialized Household Hazardous Waste Collection events at 1810 Hembree Road. Use these events to dispose of pesticides, lighter fluid, and anti-freeze, which are strictly banned from curbside carts.
Fall
October to DecemberDuring heavy leaf-drop, remember that yard waste is capped at 12 paper bags per week. Plan ahead for multiple weeks of collection or contact Waste Pro at 470-820-1900 to pay for a special volume pickup.
About Roswell Waste Management
Strict Adherence to City-Issued 96-Gallon Carts
The City of Roswell provides all residents with a serialized 96-gallon garbage cart, which must be utilized for weekly household trash. All garbage must be bagged before being placed inside, and the lid must close completely. The city explicitly forbids placing loose garbage bags on the ground next to your cart. If you have mobility limitations, you can petition the Public Works Department to receive two 45-gallon containers instead of the standard 96-gallon model.
Fee-Based Large Item Collection System
Unlike some cities that offer free annual bulk waste collections, Roswell operates a strictly fee-based 'Large Item Pickup Request' program. Residents who need to dispose of mattresses, sofas, or excess garbage bags must schedule an appointment through the Financial Services Division and pay a fee of $38.12 per item, with a strict maximum of five items per pickup. These items are collected on your standard service day and must be at the curb by 8:00 AM.
Contracted Yard Waste Services via Waste Pro
While standard sanitation is handled by municipal crews, Roswell contracts its residential yard waste collection to Waste Pro. The service allows up to 12 paper composting sacks or two cubic yards of loose branches per week. Residents must pack debris into paper bags or 50-gallon reusable metal/plastic containers. If you exceed this 12-bag limit, you will need to contact Waste Pro directly to schedule and pay for a special high-volume pickup.
The Roswell Recycling Center on Maxwell Road
Exclusively available to City of Roswell residents and businesses, the Roswell Recycling Center handles specialized disposal that curbside trucks cannot. This includes 'while you wait' paper shredding, electronics recycling (with small fees for TVs and monitors), and liquid latex or oil-based paint disposal. Remember to bring a photo ID verifying your Roswell address, as non-residents are heavily restricted from utilizing the facility.
Drop-off Facilities
Roswell Recycling Center
11570 Maxwell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076
Materials Accepted
Roswell Transfer Station
Cooperative Way, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave extra bags of trash next to my garbage cart in Roswell?
No. The City of Roswell requires all household garbage to be bagged and placed securely inside your city-issued 96-gallon container with the lid closed. Excess bags left on the ground will not be collected by municipal crews.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress in Roswell?
You must schedule a Large Item Pickup Request online or by calling the Financial Services Division at 770-641-3759. The city charges $38.12 per bulk item, and you can place up to 5 scheduled items at the end of your driveway on your normal collection day.
Does Roswell collect yard waste in plastic bags?
No. Waste Pro, the city's contracted yard waste hauler, strictly requires that grass clippings and leaves be placed in heavy-duty paper composting sacks or unlined 50-gallon metal or plastic containers.
Where can I safely dispose of wet paint and old TVs?
Hazardous materials like paint and large electronics are prohibited in curbside bins. Roswell residents can bring these items to the Roswell Recycling Center on Maxwell Road. Small fees apply for items like flat screens, CRT monitors, and bulk paint disposal.