Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Suwanee
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 Provider (e.g., Green, Blue, or Black) Bin (Trash)
You must use the cart provided by your private hauler. Place carts at the curb according to your specific provider's schedule, ensuring all trash is securely bagged to prevent litter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small, non-hazardous household items
Varies by Provider (Optional Service) Bin (Recycling)
Curbside recycling is typically an optional subscription. Do not bag your recyclables; leave them loose in the cart. Hauler guidelines vary, so verify accepted plastics directly with them.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper (magazines, mail)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (Check with hauler)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste collection is handled via your private hauler and may require an extra fee. Check with your company regarding specific bagging (e.g., paper vs. plastic) and bundling requirements.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small limbs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by Private Subscription
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb until the night before your privately scheduled and confirmed pickup date to avoid city code enforcement warnings.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household goods
- ✓ Appliances (verify with hauler)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Automotive tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Pricing for bulk item removal is determined solely by your chosen private hauling company. Expect to pay additional fees per item.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because collection is managed by various private haulers, holiday schedules differ. However, most major companies like Waste Management and Republic Services delay pickup by one day following a major holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collections are entirely dependent on your private hauler's specific holiday operations policy.
The City of Suwanee does not dictate holiday trash schedules. You must check your private sanitation provider's website or app for real-time route adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Utilize the Public Works Glass Bin
Never place glass in your private hauler's curbside recycling cart. It shatters easily and ruins clean paper bales. Bring all glass bottles and jars directly to the Suwanee Public Works drop-off site.
Keep Plastic Bags Out
Regardless of which private company you hire in Suwanee, thin film plastics and grocery bags are universally banned from single-stream recycling carts because they jam the sorting facility's gears.
Verify Acceptable Plastics
Because different haulers use different Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), their rules on plastics vary. Some may accept plastics numbered 1 through 7, while others strictly limit collection to number 1 and 2 bottles. Ask your provider for a clear list.
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December to JanuaryThe City of Suwanee hosts an annual 'Bring One for the Chipper' event. Residents can drop off bare, live Christmas trees at Sims Lake Park, which are then chipped into mulch used throughout the city's park system.
Spring
March to MayDuring spring cleaning, remember that placing large piles of yard debris or junk at the curb without an appointment violates city code. Schedule a special bulk or yard waste collection with your hauler in advance.
Summer
June to AugustGeorgia summers cause unbagged trash to produce severe odors and attract pests rapidly. Ensure all household garbage is tightly sealed in bags before tossing it into your hauler's cart.
About Suwanee Waste Management
Navigating Suwanee's Privatized Trash Collection
Unlike neighboring municipalities that manage a city-wide garbage fleet, the City of Suwanee operates on an open-market, private subscription model for residential solid waste. Homeowners and local businesses are solely responsible for setting up their own trash collection by independently contracting with licensed private haulers. Popular providers operating within the city limits include Waste Management, Republic Services, and Red Oak Sanitation.
Requesting Curbside Recycling from Your Provider
Because sanitation is privatized, curbside recycling is not an automatic municipal utility in Suwanee. Residents who want to recycle must proactively ask their chosen private hauler if they offer a recycling program. Many haulers provide this as an optional add-on service, delivering a separate bin for mixed paper, cardboard, and aluminum cans. Always verify your specific company's acceptable materials list to prevent contamination.
Exclusive Glass Drop-Off at Public Works
Since most private sanitation companies in the region no longer accept glass in standard curbside recycling bins, the City of Suwanee has stepped in to fill the gap. The city maintains a dedicated, free glass recycling drop-off container at the Suwanee Public Works facility on Swiftwater Park Drive. Residents can bring their rinsed glass bottles and food jars (with lids and corks removed) on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Managing Bulky Items and Code Enforcement
Without a centralized municipal bulk pickup day, Suwanee residents cannot simply leave large items like old couches or mattresses on the curb. Doing so without a pre-scheduled pickup is a violation of city code enforcement. To dispose of bulky waste, you must contact your individual private hauler to arrange a special pickup and pay any associated fees, or utilize a private junk removal service.
Drop-off Facilities
Suwanee Public Works (Glass Recycling Drop-Off)
3625 Swiftwater Park Drive, Suwanee, GA 30024
Materials Accepted
Sims Lake Park (Seasonal Christmas Tree Drop-off)
4600 Suwanee Dam Road, Suwanee, GA 30024
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Suwanee provide my garbage bins?
No. The City of Suwanee operates an open-market sanitation system. You must hire a private waste hauler (such as Waste Management, Republic Services, or Red Oak), and they will provide you with the necessary trash carts.
Where can I recycle glass in Suwanee?
Because most private curbside programs do not accept glass, the City of Suwanee provides a free public glass drop-off bin at the Public Works facility located at 3625 Swiftwater Park Drive, open Monday through Friday.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch?
Since there is no municipal bulk pickup, you cannot simply leave large items at the curb. You must call your private sanitation provider to schedule a special bulk pickup, which will likely incur an additional fee.
Do I automatically get recycling service when I move in?
No. When you set up your private sanitation account, you must specifically request curbside recycling. It is often treated as an optional add-on service by private haulers in the area.