Keeping Atlanta clean is a joint effort between residents, businesses, and the City of Atlanta Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Services. If you live in the city, are moving into a new neighborhood, or are managing a short-term rental or business, understanding how Atlanta sanitation services work will save you time, fines, and frustration.
Below is a clear guide to trash pickup, recycling, yard trimmings, bulk and special collections, holiday schedules, and contact information specifically for the City of Atlanta, Georgia.
The City of Atlanta provides most residential properties within city limits with:
Commercial properties and some multifamily buildings may have private haulers instead of city service. If you are unsure, you can usually tell by:
If you pay a City of Atlanta solid waste fee, you are generally covered by Solid Waste Services.
These contacts are helpful for missed pickups, cart issues, or bulk service questions.
City of Atlanta – Department of Public Works (Solid Waste Services)
Main customer service (commonly used): Atlanta 311
For in-person assistance or general city business, residents often visit:
City of Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Always check current hours or service availability before visiting, as many requests can be handled by phone.
Most single-family homes and many small multifamily properties within Atlanta city limits receive city trash service. Properties in unincorporated Fulton, DeKalb, or other nearby cities (such as Sandy Springs or Decatur) follow different sanitation systems, so always confirm you are under City of Atlanta service.
While specific details can vary by route and district, residential customers in Atlanta generally should:
Common items allowed in regular garbage:
Items that typically cannot go in regular trash include:
If you routinely have more trash than your cart can handle, you can ask the city about additional carts or service options through 311.
Most residences with city trash service also receive a blue recycling cart. Recycling is collected on a regular schedule, often on the same day as trash or on an alternating schedule, depending on your route.
Recycling is single-stream, meaning you place all accepted recyclables in the same cart (loose, not bagged), and they are sorted later at a facility.
Rules can change, but in many parts of Atlanta, the following are typically accepted:
⚠️ Avoid “wish-cycling” (putting questionable items in the bin hoping they’re recyclable). Contamination can cause entire loads to be landfilled.
Common items that should not go in Atlanta recycling carts:
When in doubt, contact Atlanta 311 and ask about currently accepted materials; guidelines can be updated as processing contracts and facilities change.
If you do yard work at your Atlanta home, the City’s yard trimmings service helps keep branches and leaves off the curb and out of landfills (when possible).
Yard trimmings are generally collected separately from garbage. Common guidelines include:
Accepted yard trimmings often include:
Do not mix:
If you use a private landscaper, they may be responsible for hauling away large volumes of debris, especially after big tree work.
Bulk items are larger household items that do not fit in your regular garbage cart, such as:
Bulk pickup policies can change by area and budget year, so don’t assume everything will be taken without a request.
For most Atlanta residents using city service, bulk pickup is by appointment. To schedule:
Common rules often include:
If you are doing a major clean-out, move, or renovation, you may need:
The city typically does not handle large-scale debris from home improvement contractors.
Atlanta residents often ask what to do with:
The City of Atlanta and surrounding counties periodically support special collection events or partner with programs for:
Because these programs can change from year to year, the most reliable first step is to:
Never place liquid paint, chemicals, or pressurized tanks in your regular garbage or recycling carts. These can create safety hazards for sanitation workers and facilities.
Collection days in the City of Atlanta vary by neighborhood. Two homes only a few streets apart can have different pickup patterns, especially near city boundaries.
To find or confirm your schedule:
Many residents choose to place carts at the curb the evening before collection to avoid early-morning misses.
On major holidays, City of Atlanta sanitation services sometimes:
Around holidays (especially New Year’s, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and December holidays), you may see:
Check close to the holiday by:
Atlanta occasionally experiences:
These can delay garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings collection. During major weather events, the city may prioritize:
If your pickup is missed during bad weather:
Steps to take:
The city may schedule a make-up collection or advise you to wait until the next regular service day.
Carts can be:
You can usually request:
Call Atlanta 311 to submit a cart service request. Be ready to confirm your account or address details.
If you notice:
You can report it through:
Provide as much detail as you safely can:
City staff can route the complaint to the appropriate inspection or clean-up team.
| Service Type | Who Provides It? | How to Use It | How to Get Help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garbage (Trash) | City of Atlanta Solid Waste Services | Use city-issued cart; place at curb on assigned day | Call Atlanta 311 / (404) 546-0311 |
| Recycling | City of Atlanta Solid Waste Services | Use blue recycling cart; follow material guidelines | Confirm rules & schedule via 311 |
| Yard Trimmings | City of Atlanta Solid Waste Services | Bag or bundle yard waste as required; place at curb | Ask about prep rules via 311 |
| Bulk Pickup | City of Atlanta (by appointment in most areas) | Schedule pickup; place approved bulk items at curb on date | Schedule and confirm via 311 |
| Special Collections (appliances, hazardous waste, electronics) | City of Atlanta and partner programs | Watch for special events; follow specific drop-off rules | Ask for current options via 311 |
Whether you’re a long-time Atlantan or here for a few months, a few habits make sanitation smoother:
By understanding how the City of Atlanta sanitation system operates—garbage, recycling, yard trimmings, and bulk pickup—you can keep your home in compliance, your neighborhood cleaner, and your interactions with city crews much smoother.
