Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tucker
Trash Day
Collection runs once per week, Monday through Friday, on your neighborhood's assigned collection day.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on the same assigned day as your regular trash.
Yard Waste
Yard trimmings are collected once per week on the same assigned day as trash and recycling.
Set Out Time
After 7:00 PM the night before or by 7:00 AM on collection day.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Sanitation in the City of Tucker is managed by DeKalb County Solid Waste Management and billed annually as an assessment line item on your DeKalb County property tax statement.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes (Annual assessment fee)
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, In Person, Escrow/Mortgage
Pro Tip / Discount
Special backdoor collection service is available at no additional charge for elderly or disabled residents who are physically unable to bring carts to the curb.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Sanitation Services for Tucker Residents
In the City of Tucker, residential solid waste and recycling services are comprehensively managed by the DeKalb County Sanitation Division. As a municipality within DeKalb County, Tucker households benefit from a streamlined, once-a-week collection system. This efficient approach means that your household garbage, single-stream recyclables, and yard trimmings are all picked up on the exact same designated day each week. Residents must use the official county-issued green 95-gallon roll carts for standard trash, ensuring that all garbage is securely bagged before being placed inside.
Curb Placement and Weekly Timing Rules
To guarantee successful weekly pickups, residents must adhere to strict timing regulations. Roll carts and eligible yard debris should be moved to the curbside no earlier than 7:00 p.m. on the night preceding your scheduled collection day. All items must be fully accessible by 7:00 a.m. sharp on the morning of service. Keep your carts clear of mailboxes, parked vehicles, and utility poles to allow the automated trucks proper clearance. Furthermore, all emptied bins must be retrieved and removed from the curb within 24 hours after the service is completed.
Recycling Guidelines and Cart Upgrades
Participation in the recycling program is highly encouraged and is included in your annual sanitation assessment fee. Tucker residents are provided with a complimentary blue 45-gallon recycling roll cart. For households generating more recyclable materials, an upgraded 65-gallon cart is available for a one-time prepaid fee of $25. Acceptable items include mixed paper, flattened cardboard, aluminum cans, and plastics numbered 1 and 2. Remember that recyclables should remain loose in the cart—never place them inside plastic bags, as this can cause processing issues at the local recycling facility.
Yard Trimmings and Proper Preparation
DeKalb County provides comprehensive yard waste collection, provided the materials are prepared according to local ordinances. Grass clippings and leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper lawn bags or rigid metal/plastic containers no larger than 40-gallons. For tree limbs and branches, ensure they are cut to a maximum length of four feet and tied securely into manageable bundles. Each bundle or container must weigh no more than 25 pounds. Please note that dirt, rocks, and limbs cut by commercial contractors are strictly prohibited from residential curbside collection.
Scheduling Bulky Items and Special Collections
Getting rid of oversized household items like old mattresses, furniture, and large appliances requires a bulky item request. Tucker residents must place the acceptable items at the curb first, and then submit a formal request via the Sanitation Division’s online portal or by calling customer care at 404-294-2900. While standard bulky household items are generally collected at no extra charge within a few business days, large tree parts exceeding three inches in diameter or mixed debris piles require a paid special collection. These paid collections typically start with a $200 minimum assessment fee.
Holiday Schedule Shifts and Missed Collections
During county-observed holidays, the standard collection calendar may shift. If a holiday falls on a weekday, service for that day and the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day, with Friday routes shifting to Saturday. In the event that you followed all preparation rules and your items were missed, you have 24 hours to report the issue. Contact customer care immediately via phone or by emailing [email protected]. Provided the bins were set out by 7:00 a.m., recovery trucks typically service reported misses by the end of the business week.
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
Who do I contact if my trash is not picked up in Tucker?
Since Tucker sanitation is managed by DeKalb County, you must report missed pickups within 24 hours by calling the Sanitation Division at 404-294-2900 or emailing [email protected].
Can I put plastic bags in my blue recycling cart?
No. Plastic bags are not accepted in the curbside recycling program. All approved recyclables, such as cardboard and plastic bottles, must be placed loosely inside your blue 45-gallon or 65-gallon cart.
How much does it cost to upgrade to a larger recycling bin?
Tucker residents can upgrade their standard 45-gallon recycling roll cart to a larger 65-gallon version by paying a one-time, prepaid assessment fee of $25 to the DeKalb County Sanitation Division.