Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sandy 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.
Varies by private hauler Bin (Trash)
Cart size, color, and placement rules are dictated entirely by your contracted private hauler. Do not park vehicles on the grass when moving your carts to the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-hazardous household items
Varies by private hauler Bin (Recycling)
Check your specific hauler's acceptable materials list. Alternatively, bring sorted, clean, and unbagged recyclables to the Keep North Fulton Beautiful center.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 (at Morgan Falls)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Sheet glass or ceramics
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Must be bagged or bundled according to your private hauler's rules. Illegal dumping of yard debris into streets or storm drains is a code violation.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler subscription.
Placement
Follow the precise placement instructions (e.g., driveway vs. curbside) provided by your private hauler when you request the bulk pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances (check with hauler)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Wet paint
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Automotive fluids
Bulk pickup fees are set entirely by the private waste hauling companies. The City of Sandy Springs does not dictate or collect administrative fees for these transactions.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because Sandy Springs operates on an open-market model, all holiday schedule delays are determined entirely by your individual waste hauler (e.g., Waste Management, Republic Services).
Yard Waste Exception
Check directly with your hauler to see if yard and bulk collections are suspended during major holiday weeks.
The Keep North Fulton Beautiful Recycling Center typically closes on all major federal holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Dry Your Latex Paint First
Wet latex paint is banned from standard trash collection across all haulers. To legally dispose of it, mix the paint with kitty litter or a commercial hardener until it is completely dry, then throw it in your regular trash.
Keep Glass Out of Single-Stream Curbside Carts
Many private haulers refuse glass in curbside bins because it shatters and contaminates paper bales. Save your clean, food-grade glass jars and drop them off at the Morgan Falls Road recycling center instead.
Propane Tanks Are Fire Hazards
Never place 20-pound propane cylinders in your curbside bins. They can cause explosions inside the garbage trucks. Exchange or drop off empty tanks at local retailers like Home Depot or Lowe's.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf-fall, the city issues strict stormwater alerts. Raking leaves into storm grates will lead to flooding and potential code enforcement fines. Ensure all leaves are securely bagged.
Year-Round
All YearSolvent-based paints, pesticides, and harsh cleaning chemicals must be stored securely until Keep North Fulton Beautiful hosts one of its periodic Household Hazardous Waste collection events.
Summer
June to AugustGeorgia heat causes household trash to decompose rapidly. Double-bag all food scraps and keep the lid of your private hauler's cart tightly closed to prevent neighborhood rodent issues.
About Sandy Springs Waste Management
Navigating the Private Subscription Open Market
Unlike many municipalities, the City of Sandy Springs does not provide municipal trash or recycling collection services. Instead, the city operates on an open-market private subscription system. Homeowners and businesses are responsible for independently contracting with one of the city's approved private waste haulers, such as Arrow Waste, SeeGreen Services, or Waste Management. Haulers charge their own rates, while the city collects a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee from the gross receipts instead of billing residents directly.
Specialized Haulers for HOAs and Large Junk
If you live in a Homeowners Association (HOA) neighborhood in Sandy Springs, your community might use exclusive vendors like Custom Disposal Services or Diamond Disposal, which are strictly approved for HOAs. For massive cleanouts, residents can hire specialized approved bulk waste contractors, such as College Hunks Hauling Junk or Waste Eliminator, for temporary dumpster rentals and heavy junk removal that standard weekly haulers won't touch.
The Morgan Falls Road Recycling Hub
Because curbside recycling rules vary wildly between private haulers, the City of Sandy Springs partners directly with Keep North Fulton Beautiful to operate a comprehensive recycling drop-off center at 470 Morgan Falls Road. Open five days a week, this facility is the community's primary destination for ensuring items like food-grade glass, electronics, and cardboard are responsibly diverted from local Georgia landfills.
Strict Stormwater and Yard Waste Ordinances
Sandy Springs strictly enforces property maintenance and stormwater regulations to protect the Chattahoochee River ecosystem. When managing your yard debris, you must never blow or sweep leaves and grass clippings into the street, ditches, or storm drains. All organic yard waste must be composted on your own property or properly bagged and scheduled for curbside pickup with your specific private sanitation provider.
Drop-off Facilities
Keep North Fulton Beautiful Recycling Center
470 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30350
Materials Accepted
Sandy Springs Fire Station #51 (Aluminum Drop-Off)
1425 Spalding Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30350
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Sandy Springs provide municipal trash collection?
No. The City of Sandy Springs uses a private subscription system. Residents and businesses must independently set up an account with one of the city's approved private waste haulers, such as Arrow Waste or Waste Management.
Where can I recycle glass bottles and old electronics in Sandy Springs?
You can take clean, food-grade glass bottles, old cell phones, and computers to the Keep North Fulton Beautiful Recycling Center located at 470 Morgan Falls Road. Note that electronics drop-offs may incur a small fee for monitors.
Can I blow my lawn clippings into the street or ditch?
Absolutely not. Sandy Springs code enforcement strictly prohibits blowing or sweeping yard debris, leaves, or grass clippings into streets, storm drains, or ditches, as this causes severe stormwater flooding and pollution.
How do I schedule a bulk trash pickup for an old mattress?
Because the city does not operate trash trucks, you must contact your current private hauler directly to schedule and pay for a bulk pickup. Alternatively, you can hire a city-approved specialty junk removal service like College Hunks Hauling Junk.