Recycling in the City of Atlanta is straightforward once you know what goes where, who picks it up, and where to take special items. Whether you live in a single-family home in Buckhead, a condo in Midtown, or you’re just visiting and want to stay eco-conscious, this guide walks you through how recycling works in Atlanta, Georgia and what you can do to make the most of it.
For most Atlanta residents living in houses or small buildings, recycling is handled by:
City of Atlanta – Department of Public Works
Office of Solid Waste Services
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Customer Service: (404) 330-6333
City recycling service generally covers:
If you live in a large apartment, condo, or mixed-use building, recycling is usually arranged by the property manager or private hauler, not the City. Ask your leasing office or HOA what recycling options are available.
The City of Atlanta uses blue rolling carts for curbside recycling. Picking the right items is the most important step to keep the program running smoothly.
These should be empty, clean, and dry:
Paper
Plastic bottles, jugs, and containers
➤ General rule: Rigid containers with a neck or stable shape, rinsed and with no food residue.
Metal
Glass bottles and jars
These items cause contamination or safety issues and should never go in city recycling carts:
Plastic bags and film
Styrofoam / foam products
Food and liquids
Tanglers
Electronics and batteries
Hazardous or special waste
Non-recyclable glass
When in doubt, it’s usually better to throw it in the trash rather than contaminate the recycling cart.
Most single-family households in the City of Atlanta receive:
Day of service varies by neighborhood. To confirm:
To help ensure your recycling is collected:
If your cart was at the curb on time and only your recycling was missed, call customer service to report a missed pickup.
If you are a City of Atlanta solid waste customer and:
You can:
Carts are city property but assigned to your address; leave them if you move.
While not “recycling” in the traditional sense, yard trimmings and some large items are handled in a way that often reduces landfill use.
The City typically collects:
Set out on your usual day if yard waste service is provided in your area. Materials are often taken to facilities where they may be mulched or composted instead of landfilled, depending on current city practices.
Some items like mattresses, appliances, and furniture may be collected by the City through bulky item pickup programs. Whether they are recycled or landfilled depends on the material and program available at the time.
To schedule or ask about bulky pickup:
If you live in a high-rise or large apartment complex in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead, recycling is usually arranged through:
In these buildings:
For businesses, restaurants, and offices:
Some items require special handling and cannot go in curbside recycling or the trash.
Typical e-waste includes:
In the Atlanta area, these are usually handled by dedicated e-waste recyclers or special collection events. Options often include:
Before going anywhere, confirm what is accepted and any fees that might apply.
Do not place batteries in your blue or garbage cart.
Common options in the Atlanta area include:
Check locally for what’s available near your neighborhood in Atlanta.
Atlanta residents frequently ask about these problem items:
These include:
They do not belong in your blue cart. Many Atlantans instead:
Most foam products are not accepted in curbside recycling:
For most households, these go in the trash, unless a special local drop-off option is available.
| Item Type | Blue Recycling Cart | Trash Cart | Special Handling / Other Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardboard boxes (flattened) | ✅ Yes | ||
| Glass bottles and jars | ✅ Yes | Lids off; rinse | |
| Aluminum & steel cans | ✅ Yes | Rinse | |
| Plastic bottles & jugs | ✅ Yes | Rinse; no bags | |
| Plastic bags / film | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Or store drop-offs that accept bags |
| Styrofoam cups / to-go containers | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | |
| Food waste & liquids | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | |
| Electronics (TVs, laptops, etc.) | ❌ No | ❌ No | E-waste recyclers or special events |
| Household batteries | ❌ No | ❌ No | Retail or specialty battery recycling programs |
| Yard trimmings | ❌ No (cart) | ❌ No | Set out in yard waste format for separate collection |
| Large furniture / appliances | ❌ No (cart) | ❌ No | Bulky pickup or private hauler |
If you’re staying in a hotel, Airbnb, or short-term rental in Atlanta and want to recycle:
A few simple habits can make your recycling more effective:
Program details can change over time. For the most accurate, up-to-date instructions specific to your Atlanta address, contact:
City of Atlanta – Department of Public Works
Office of Solid Waste Services
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Customer Service: (404) 330-6333
You can ask about:
With these basics, you can recycle correctly in Atlanta, reduce what goes to the landfill, and make sure the city’s recycling system works as well as possible for everyone.
