Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tucker
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.
Green (95-gallon cart) Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be secured in plastic bags before being placed inside the county-issued green cart. No loose garbage or liquids are permitted, and no excess bags may be left on the ground outside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged trash
Blue (35-gallon or 65-gallon cart) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed completely loose and un-bagged inside the blue cart. Do not place recyclables inside plastic grocery bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed paper and junk mail
- ✓Cardboard (flattened, up to 10 boxes)
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers (#1 and #2 ONLY)
- ✓Metal and aluminum cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or reusable metal/plastic containers (up to 40 gallons). Limbs must be bundled and tied, with no single piece exceeding 25 pounds or 4 feet in length.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches and limbs (max 4 feet in length)
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Upon request (assessment required)
Placement
Place items neatly at the curb, keeping them clear of mailboxes, fire hydrants, flower beds, and low-hanging wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and dressers
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Toilets and bathroom fixtures
- ✓ Appliances (doors removed, food emptied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, rock)
- ✕ Tires (must self-haul to landfill)
- ✕ Hazardous materials and liquids
- ✕ Tree parts over 3 inches in diameter (without fee)
Standard furniture is usually collected for free. However, a minimum $100 fee applies to large volumes, unflattened boxes, or large tree debris. If a fee is required, you must pay it before the truck will collect the pile.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a county-observed holiday occurs, collection schedules for the remainder of that week are typically delayed by one day (e.g., Monday routes are serviced on Tuesday).
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard trimmings and recycling are collected on the same day as your standard garbage, they follow the exact same holiday delay schedule.
The Customer Care call center and the Seminole Road Landfill are closed on all county-observed holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Only #1 and #2 Plastics
The county recycling facility only accepts plastic bottles and containers marked with a #1 or #2 recycling symbol. Plastics #3 through #7 (like yogurt tubs, clamshell takeout boxes, and styrofoam) will contaminate the load and must go in the regular trash.
Bag Your Trash, Not Your Recycling
To prevent litter and maintain sanitation, all household garbage must be securely bagged inside your green cart. Conversely, all recyclables must be placed completely loose inside your blue cart so the automated sorting machines can process them.
Keep Glass Out of the Bin
Glass is explicitly banned from DeKalb County curbside recycling. Broken glass is dangerous for sanitation workers and ruins bales of recyclable paper. Utilize local glass drop-off sites instead.
Seasonal Information
Summer
July to SeptemberDuring extreme summer heat, DeKalb County often implements a seasonal heat mitigation strategy, shifting collection start times up to 6:00 a.m. Ensure your carts are placed at the curb the night before to avoid missed pickups.
Fall
October to DecemberWhen cleaning up autumn leaves, remember that plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard debris. You must use compostable paper yard bags or an unlined, reusable 40-gallon container.
Winter
December to FebruarySevere winter weather, such as ice storms, may cause temporary suspensions of sanitation services. Operations will safely resume on the next scheduled business day once roads are cleared.
About Tucker Waste Management
Sanitation via Intergovernmental Agreement
While the City of Tucker successfully voted in 2022 to launch its own Public Works department to manage local roads and stormwater infrastructure, household waste collection operates differently. Tucker residents receive their residential trash, recycling, and yard trimmings services through an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the DeKalb County Sanitation Division. All scheduling, billing, and cart management are handled directly by the county.
Same-Day Unified Collection Model
To simplify the curbside experience and reduce neighborhood truck traffic, DeKalb County operates a unified, once-a-week collection schedule. This means your 95-gallon green garbage cart, your blue recycling cart, and your properly bagged or bundled yard trimmings will all be collected on the exact same designated day. Residents must ensure all containers are at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled day.
The Bulky Item Assessment Process
Disposing of large items like couches or appliances in Tucker requires a specific, two-step process. First, you must place the items safely at the curb. Next, you must submit an online request or call the Customer Care team. A sanitation assessor will visit your property within 1 to 3 business days to evaluate the pile. Standard household furniture is typically collected for free, but excessive volumes or non-compliant materials will trigger a special collection fee starting at $100.
Glass is Banned from the Blue Cart
DeKalb County's single-stream recycling program is designed for efficiency, accepting high-value materials like #1 and #2 plastic bottles, metal cans, and mixed paper. However, glass bottles and jars are strictly prohibited from curbside blue carts, as broken shards severely damage the sorting machinery and contaminate paper bales. Tucker residents must take glass to designated drop-off centers or the Seminole Road Landfill.
Moving Boxes and Eviction Debris
If you have recently moved to Tucker, be aware of the county's strict rules regarding cardboard. You may place up to 10 flattened moving boxes next to your recycling bin for free pickup. Any unflattened boxes, or piles exceeding 10 boxes, will be flagged for a special collection fee. Furthermore, debris generated from a landlord eviction is never collected for free and always requires a specialized volume assessment.
Drop-off Facilities
Seminole Road Landfill
4203 Clevemont Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294
Materials Accepted
DeKalb County Sanitation Division Administrative Office
3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up trash service as a new resident in Tucker?
Because Tucker uses the DeKalb County Sanitation Division, new residents must contact the county directly. You will need to submit a New Residential Service Application, provide proof of property ownership (or a lease agreement), and pay a prorated annual assessment fee before your carts are delivered.
Why did DeKalb County charge me a fee for my bulk trash?
While standard household furniture (like a single couch or mattress) is typically collected for free, DeKalb County assesses a special collection fee—starting at $100—for oversized piles, tree parts larger than 3 inches in diameter, unflattened moving boxes, and eviction debris.
Can I leave extra bags of garbage next to my green cart?
No. DeKalb County collection rules explicitly prohibit leaving excess garbage bags on the ground outside the roll carts. All household waste must be securely bagged and fit entirely inside your county-issued 95-gallon cart with the lid closed.
What should I do with all my empty moving boxes?
You can recycle up to 10 flattened cardboard boxes for free by placing them next to your blue recycling cart. If you have more than 10 boxes, or if you fail to flatten them, the pile will be treated as a special collection and you will be charged a minimum $100 fee.