Where To Dump Trash in Atlanta: A Practical Guide for Residents and Visitors

Figuring out where to dump trash in Atlanta depends on what you’re trying to get rid of: everyday household garbage, bulky items, yard waste, construction debris, or hazardous materials. Atlanta has a mix of curbside services, public drop-off centers, and private facilities that handle different types of waste.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused guide to help you get trash where it needs to go—legally, safely, and with minimal hassle.

Quick Overview: Where Different Types of Trash Go in Atlanta

1. Household Trash for City of Atlanta Residents

If you live inside the City of Atlanta and receive a water bill from the City, you are likely served by the Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Services.

Curbside Trash Collection

Most single-family homes and some small multifamily properties have a green or gray trash cart for weekly pickup.

Typical guidelines:

• What goes in the cart

  • Bagged household garbage (kitchen trash, bathroom waste, small non-recyclable items)
  • Non-recyclable packaging and broken household items that fit inside with the lid closed

• What does NOT go in the cart

  • Construction debris (drywall, lumber, bricks, roofing)
  • Hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals, pesticides)
  • Electronics (TVs, monitors, computers)
  • Large furniture, mattresses, and appliances

• Where to put the cart

  • At the curb or designated collection area, handle facing your house
  • At least a few feet away from mailboxes, cars, or fences so the truck can access it

⚠️ Check your address with Atlanta Solid Waste Services to confirm your official collection day and specific rules for your street.

Extra Trash That Doesn’t Fit in the Cart

If you occasionally have more trash than your city cart can hold:

• Try to spread it over multiple weeks if it’s not urgent.
• If overflow is frequent, ask about larger cart options or an additional cart (fees may apply).
• For large clean-outs (moving, estate clean-out), consider:
  • Scheduling a bulk pickup for eligible items, and
  • Using a private transfer station or dumpster rental for the rest (see sections below).

Dumping trash in someone else’s dumpster, on the curb without a pickup, or in vacant lots is considered illegal dumping in Atlanta and can result in fines.

2. Bulky Items: Furniture, Mattresses, Large Household Items

Bulky items are anything too large to fit inside your city trash cart with the lid closed.

City of Atlanta Bulky Item Collection

Residents who receive City of Atlanta solid waste services can typically request bulky item pickup for items such as:

• Couches, chairs, tables
• Mattresses and box springs
• Rugs and large home furnishings
• Some large toys and outdoor items

Key points:

• Schedule is required – Bulky items are not picked up on regular trash days without a request.
• Place items at the curb on the scheduled date, away from mailboxes and power lines.
• Not all items are accepted (for example, certain appliances with refrigerants or large piles of construction debris may be excluded).

If you live in an apartment, condo, or HOA community, bulky trash rules may be set by property management. Many complexes have designated bulk trash areas or scheduled haul-away days. Check your lease or community handbook.

3. Yard Waste and Tree Debris

Atlanta generates a lot of yard trimmings—especially in leafy intown neighborhoods.

City Yard Trimmings Pickup

Within the City of Atlanta solid waste service area, yard waste is usually collected weekly or on a designated schedule.

Commonly accepted yard waste:

• Bagged leaves and small clippings
• Small branches cut to a specified length and bundled
• Grass clippings and small plant material

Typical rules (confirm current guidelines before placing out):

• Use paper yard waste bags or approved containers.
• Limit the diameter and length of branches.
• Do not mix rocks, dirt, or construction materials with yard waste.

Large tree removals, logs, and heavy brush piles often exceed normal yard collection limits and may require:

• A private tree service that hauls away debris, or
• A trip to a private yard waste or composting facility.

Where Visitors or Landscapers Can Dump Yard Waste

Landscapers and contractors generally may not use residential curbside services. They typically:

• Haul yard waste to commercial composting centers or mulch and soil facilities, or
• Use commercial transfer stations that accept organic debris.

Call ahead to confirm what each facility will accept and what fees apply.

4. Construction, Renovation, and Clean‑Out Debris

If you’re doing a remodel, demolition, or major clean-out in Atlanta, normal city trash service will not cover the volume or type of waste.

Examples of construction and demolition (C&D) debris:

• Drywall, plaster, and insulation
• Lumber, cabinets, and doors
• Tile, brick, concrete, and roofing
• Carpet and padding
• Large volumes of old household junk from clean-outs

Options for Getting Rid of C&D Debris

1. Rent a dumpster (roll-off container)

   • Placed on your driveway or approved area.
   • Filled as you work; company hauls away when full.
   • Often the most efficient option for major projects.

2. Use a private transfer station or C&D landfill

   • Load debris into a truck or trailer and pay by weight or volume to dump.
   • Facilities around the metro area typically accept contractors and DIY homeowners.

3. Hire a junk removal service

   • They load and haul mixed debris for you.
   • Useful if you don’t want to handle transport yourself.

City-run household trash collection is not designed for heavy renovation waste. Trying to dispose of construction debris in a city cart or via bulky pickup can lead to refused service or fees.

5. Appliances, Scrap Metal, and Large Metal Items

Old refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, grills, and metal furniture need special handling.

Large Appliances

For appliances:

• The City of Atlanta may have specific procedures or scheduled pickups for certain appliances. Check with Solid Waste Services before placing them at the curb.
• Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners often require refrigerant removal by a qualified professional before disposal.

Scrap Metal Recycling

Many residents and small contractors use scrap metal recycling yards in the Atlanta area for:

• Broken metal furniture
• Old grills (after removing propane tanks)
• Metal shelves, pipes, and fixtures
• Non-working lawn equipment (with fluids drained)

Scrap yards typically:

• Require a government-issued ID
• May pay for certain metals (aluminum, copper, steel)
• Have clear rules on what they accept

Call ahead to confirm requirements, drop-off hours, and acceptable items.

6. Electronics: TVs, Computers, and E‑Waste

Electronics are not allowed in regular garbage at many facilities and should not be dumped illegally.

Common electronic waste (e-waste):

• Televisions and computer monitors
• Laptops, desktops, tablets
• Printers, scanners, and small electronics

Where to Dump E‑Waste in Atlanta

Options often include:

• E-waste recycling centers around metro Atlanta that accept drop-offs on specific days
• City or county-hosted e-waste collection events, usually advertised by local government offices
• Electronics retailers that offer take-back programs for smaller devices

Charges may apply for certain items (especially older CRT TVs and monitors). Call before you go to confirm:

• What types of electronics are accepted
• Any drop-off fees
• Weight or quantity limits

7. Hazardous Waste: Paint, Oil, Chemicals, and Special Items

Some items must never go in regular trash or down a drain in Atlanta:

• Liquid paint (especially oil-based)
• Solvents, pesticides, and household chemicals
• Motor oil, antifreeze, and automotive fluids
• Car batteries and large rechargeable batteries
• Fluorescent bulbs and certain other specialty items

How Atlanta Handles Household Hazardous Waste

Residents typically have access to:

• Household hazardous waste collection events organized periodically in the metro area
• Designated drop-off locations for:
  • Used motor oil and filters
  • Automotive batteries
  • Some paints and chemicals (often through specialized facilities)

For paint:

• Fully dried-out latex paint can sometimes be disposed of with household trash (after following city guidance).
• Oil-based paints and solvents usually must go to hazardous waste collections.

Because hazardous waste rules can change, check directly with local solid waste offices to confirm current drop-off locations and rules before you transport these items.

8. Tires, Batteries, and Automotive Waste

If you’re working on a car in Atlanta, you’ll need the right outlets for car-related waste.

Tires

Used tires should not be left at the curb or in alleys. In Atlanta, they’re usually handled by:

• Tire shops and auto service centers that collect disposal fees when they install new tires
• Occasionally, county or city tire amnesty events, where residents can drop off a limited number of tires on specific days

Always call ahead before hauling multiple tires to see what’s allowed and what fees might apply.

Car Batteries and Motor Oil

Generally:

• Auto parts stores often accept used motor oil and batteries for recycling.
• Some local recycling and hazardous waste facilities also accept these items.

Do not pour oil or fluids into storm drains or onto the ground—this is illegal and harmful to local creeks and rivers.

9. For Visitors: Short-Term Trash Solutions in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta, staying in a rental, or here temporarily:

• Hotels, short-term rentals, and extended stay properties

  • Provide on-site trash bins, dumpsters, or chutes.
  • Ask the front desk or host where to place bagged trash.

• Events, tailgates, and outings

  • Use on-site bins in public places like Piedmont Park, the BeltLine, or popular venues.
  • If you generate more trash than public bins can reasonably handle (large gatherings or tailgates), pack it out and dispose of it at your lodging or a private waste service.

Bringing household trash from home or a rental to public street cans or park bins is discouraged and, in some cases, prohibited.

10. Illegal Dumping in Atlanta: What Not to Do

Atlanta takes illegal dumping seriously because it impacts neighborhoods, property values, and public health.

Illegal dumping includes:

• Leaving bags of trash on sidewalks or in vacant lots
• Dumping furniture, mattresses, or debris on the curb without a scheduled pickup
• Using someone else’s dumpster without permission
• Throwing trash into creeks, wooded lots, or roadside ditches

Consequences can include:

• Fines and cleanup costs
• Possible code enforcement action

If you see illegal dumping in progress or discover a dump site, local residents typically report it to city code enforcement or non-emergency police so it can be investigated and cleaned up.

11. How to Decide Where Your Trash Should Go in Atlanta

When you’re unsure where to dump trash in Atlanta, use this quick checklist:

1. Is it regular household trash that fits in a city cart?

   • Use your curbside trash collection if you are a City of Atlanta customer.

2. Is it a large item (furniture, mattress, bulky household object)?

   • Request bulky item pickup if eligible, or use a private hauler/transfer station.

3. Is it yard waste?

   • Use city yard trimmings pickup (within guidelines) or a yard waste facility.

4. Is it construction/renovation or major clean-out debris?

   • Use a dumpster rental, junk removal service, or C&D transfer station.

5. Is it an appliance, scrap metal, or electronics?

   • Contact Solid Waste Services, a metal recycler, or e-waste center.

6. Is it hazardous (chemicals, oil, paint, batteries)?

   • Wait for or seek out hazardous waste events or specialized drop-offs.

When in doubt, contacting Atlanta’s Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Services or your property management office is the safest starting point. They can confirm what your address is eligible for and direct you to approved drop-off or pickup options in and around Atlanta.