Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Savannah
Trash Day
Weekly collection runs Monday through Thursday, depending on your assigned neighborhood route.
Recycling
Collected twice monthly on the same day as your regular trash pickup (1st and 3rd weeks for Monday/Tuesday routes; 2nd and 4th weeks for Wednesday/Thursday routes).
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on the day following your regular curbside trash collection day.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Sanitation fees for trash, recycling, and yard waste are combined with water and sewer services on your bi-monthly city utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay / Bank Draft, Mail, In Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
The Help to Our Community (H2OC) program provides utility bill discounts for income-qualified seniors aged 65+ and disabled residents receiving SSI/SSDI.
City-issued refuse cart Bin (Trash)
Cart must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. (but no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day prior) and removed by 7:00 p.m. The lid must close. Absolutely no overflow outside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
City-issued recycling cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be clean and unbagged. Contaminated carts will be tagged, left uncollected, and may result in a $25 contamination fee per occurrence.
Accepted Items
- ✓Empty plastic drink bottles and jugs
- ✓Office paper, newspaper, and magazines
- ✓Empty aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard and chipboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles (use drop-off locations)
- ✕Personal Protective Equipment (PPE like masks/gloves)
- ✕Pizza boxes and food-soiled paper
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, rope, hangers)
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass must be in biodegradable brown bags (maximum 15 bags per week). Limbs must be piled neatly. Collected the day following your regular trash day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small limbs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request or self-haul only. Unscheduled curbside placement results in fines.
Placement
Do not place items at the curb without coordinating through 311. Off-schedule bulk trash is classified as neighborhood blight and code compliance will issue fines.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large dry household items
- ✓ Appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial waste
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Eviction or rental property cleanouts
If the city must send a special crew, you will be billed $50 for the first 15 minutes of labor, and $25 for every additional 15 minutes required to clear the pile.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
On city-observed holidays, residential refuse and yard waste collections typically shift back by one day for the remainder of the week. Recycling services often maintain their normal schedules, but always verify with the SAV311 app.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste is collected the day after regular trash, a holiday delay will push yard waste collection to two days past your standard trash day.
Both the Dean Forest Landfill and the Bacon Park Transfer Station are closed on major City of Savannah holidays and all Sundays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer/Fall
August to OctoberDuring peak hurricane season on the Georgia coast, monitor city alerts. Secure all rolling carts and avoid placing bulky yard waste at the curb if a tropical storm is approaching, as it can become a flooding or projectile hazard.
Spring
March to MaySpring cleaning generates high yard debris. Remember the strict 15-bag weekly limit for biodegradable brown bags. Excess bags will incur special collection fees or require a trip to the Bacon Park Transfer Station.
Winter
Late December to JanuaryPost-holiday box overflow is common, but placing extra bags next to your trash bin will trigger a $50 overflow fee. Always break down cardboard to fit inside your recycling cart or utilize a city drop-off site.
Local Tips & Community Info
Overview of Savannah's Solid Waste Collection
Savannah’s Solid Waste Department oversees all residential sanitation needs, including weekly household garbage, bi-monthly recycling, and green waste pickup. To maintain clean and accessible neighborhoods, the city requires residents to wheel their city-issued refuse carts to the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection morning. After the route is serviced, all carts must be removed from the public right-of-way by 7:00 p.m. that same evening. Failure to comply with these timeframe regulations or leaving bags outside a full cart may result in a $50 trash overflow fee or a $25 cart return penalty.
Bi-Monthly Recycling Collection Guidelines
Unlike standard garbage, curbside recycling in Savannah is collected twice a month on the exact same day as your household trash. You can safely place glass, clean cardboard, paper products, aluminum cans, and plastics numbered 1 through 7 inside your designated cart. However, plastic grocery bags, styrofoam, and electronics are strictly prohibited and can result in a $25 recycling cart contamination fee. If your household produces an abundance of recyclable materials, you can request an additional cart from the city for a one-time charge of $50 by calling the 311 action center.
Yard Waste Limitations and Bagging Rules
Maintaining the city's coastal beauty requires strict adherence to yard waste disposal protocols. Savannah collection crews pick up landscaping debris once a week, typically on the day immediately following your regular garbage service. Residents are allowed a maximum limit of 15 biodegradable brown paper bags for leaves and grass clippings per week. Yard waste placed in plastic bags will not be collected, and exceeding the 15-bag limit or putting out a massive pile of unbundled tree limbs will trigger additional special collection fees.
Special Accommodations: Needs Assistance Program
Recognizing that hauling heavy trash carts can be physically demanding, the City of Savannah offers a specialized Needs Assistance Program for elderly or disabled residents. Citizens who are 65 years of age or older, and who do not have an able-bodied person living in the household, can apply for this service. Once approved by the solid waste division, sanitation workers will collect the refuse cart directly from the resident's backdoor or side yard, empty it, and return it to its original location at no additional cost.
Bulk Item Disposal and Local Landfills
For massive cleanouts that exceed standard cart capacity, Savannah residents have access to two primary drop-off facilities: the Dean Forest Road Landfill and the Bacon Park Transfer Station. By presenting proof of residency, locals can dispose of excess dry trash, bulk furniture, and up to four vehicle tires per calendar year. Commercial waste and construction materials from rental property management are not permitted. If you cannot transport these items yourself, you can contact 311 to arrange a special curbside bulk collection, though this service incurs a fee starting at $50 for the first 15 minutes of loading time.
Drop-off Facilities
Dean Forest Road Disposal Facility
1327 Dean Forest Road, Savannah, GA 31401
Materials Accepted
Bacon Park Transfer Station
6400 Skidaway Road, Savannah, GA 31406
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time must I put my trash cart out in Savannah?
Carts must be placed at the curbside by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day and must be brought back in by 7:00 p.m. that evening to avoid code violations.
How much does it cost to get an extra trash or recycling cart?
Savannah residents can request an additional garbage or recycling cart for a fee of $50 per container by calling the city's 311 service desk.
Will the city collect yard waste in plastic bags?
No. Yard waste must be placed in biodegradable brown paper bags, with a strict weekly limit of 15 bags per household. Plastic bags are completely prohibited.