City of Atlanta Recycling: How to Recycle Right in Atlanta, GA

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.

How Residential Recycling Works in the City of Atlanta

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

Who gets city recycling service?

City recycling service generally covers:

• Single-family homes
• Duplexes and small multi-unit buildings within the city limits
• Some townhomes that pay for City of Atlanta solid waste service

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.

Your Blue Cart: What You Can and Can’t Put In

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.

What you can put in your Atlanta blue recycling cart

These should be empty, clean, and dry:

• Paper

  • Office paper, mail, envelopes (plastic windows are OK)
  • Newspapers, magazines, catalogs
  • Cardboard boxes (flattened)
  • Paperboard (cereal boxes, tissue boxes)

• Plastic bottles, jugs, and containers

  • Beverage bottles, milk jugs
  • Detergent bottles, shampoo bottles
  • Food tubs and containers (if accepted at time of service; check local guidance)

  ➤ General rule: Rigid containers with a neck or stable shape, rinsed and with no food residue.

• Metal

  • Aluminum cans (soda, beer)
  • Steel / tin food cans (soup, vegetables)
  • Empty, non-hazardous aerosol cans (if allowed by current city guidelines)

• Glass bottles and jars

  • Clear, green, and brown glass food and beverage containers (labels are usually OK; caps off)

What does not belong in your Atlanta blue cart

These items cause contamination or safety issues and should never go in city recycling carts:

• Plastic bags and film

  • Grocery bags, produce bags, shrink wrap, plastic wrap
    (These jam sorting machines. Bagged recyclables are often thrown away.)

• Styrofoam / foam products

  • Foam cups, plates, takeout containers, packing peanuts

• Food and liquids

  • Leftovers, sauces, drinks, greasy pizza boxes (if heavily soiled)

• Tanglers

  • Hoses, extension cords, holiday lights, wires, clothing, rope

• Electronics and batteries

  • TVs, laptops, phones, single-use or rechargeable batteries

• Hazardous or special waste

  • Paint, chemicals, pesticides
  • Propane tanks, fuel containers

• Non-recyclable glass

  • Window glass, mirrors, drinking glasses, light bulbs, ceramics

When in doubt, it’s usually better to throw it in the trash rather than contaminate the recycling cart.

Recycling Pickup Schedule in Atlanta

Weekly service

Most single-family households in the City of Atlanta receive:

• Weekly garbage (black or green cart)
• Weekly recycling (blue cart)
• Weekly yard trimmings (green bags or loose in a bin, depending on rules in your area)

Day of service varies by neighborhood. To confirm:

• Check your mailed solid waste notice, if you have it
• Call Solid Waste Customer Service at (404) 330-6333
• Ask a neighbor on your street who uses city service

Set-out rules

To help ensure your recycling is collected:

• Place your blue cart at the curb or collection point by 7:00 a.m. on your pickup day
• Keep it 3 feet away from other carts, mailboxes, or parked cars if possible
• Make sure the lid is closed and nothing is sticking out
• Do not bag recyclables; place them loose in the cart

If your cart was at the curb on time and only your recycling was missed, call customer service to report a missed pickup.

Getting a Recycling Cart, Replacing, or Repairing One

If you are a City of Atlanta solid waste customer and:

• You don’t have a blue recycling cart
• Your cart is damaged, missing a lid, or needs wheels
• You have moved into a home and a cart is missing

You can:

• Call (404) 330-6333 to request a new, replacement, or repaired cart
• Be prepared to provide your service address and describe the issue

Carts are city property but assigned to your address; leave them if you move.

Yard Waste and Bulky Item Recycling Options

While not “recycling” in the traditional sense, yard trimmings and some large items are handled in a way that often reduces landfill use.

Yard trimmings

The City typically collects:

• Bagged leaves and small branches
• Grass clippings
• Small limbs cut to length and bundled (follow city rules on size/weight)

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.

Bulky items

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:

• Call Solid Waste Customer Service: (404) 330-6333

Apartment, Condo, and Commercial Recycling in Atlanta

If you live in a high-rise or large apartment complex in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead, recycling is usually arranged through:

• Your property management
• A private waste and recycling hauler

In these buildings:

• Ask where the recycling rooms or chutes are located.
• Look for posted signs that show what is accepted.
  Rules may differ from the City’s curbside program because private haulers use different facilities.

For businesses, restaurants, and offices:

• Recycling is handled through private contracts.
• Many Atlanta businesses recycle cardboard, paper, and other materials through commercial services.

Where to Take Electronics, Batteries, and Special Items in Atlanta

Some items require special handling and cannot go in curbside recycling or the trash.

Electronics (e-waste)

Typical e-waste includes:

• TVs and monitors
• Desktop computers, laptops, tablets
• Printers, keyboards, cables
• Phones and small electronics

In the Atlanta area, these are usually handled by dedicated e-waste recyclers or special collection events. Options often include:

• Private e-waste recycling centers
• Public drop-off days sponsored by local governments or partners
• Retailers that accept certain electronics for recycling

Before going anywhere, confirm what is accepted and any fees that might apply.

Batteries and bulbs

Do not place batteries in your blue or garbage cart.

Common options in the Atlanta area include:

• Retailers that accept rechargeable batteries and some light bulbs
• Specialized recycling facilities in the metro area

Check locally for what’s available near your neighborhood in Atlanta.

Hard-to-Recycle Materials: What Atlantans Should Know

Atlanta residents frequently ask about these problem items:

Plastic bags and film

These include:

• Grocery bags
• Bread bags
• Dry cleaning bags
• Plastic wrap around paper towels or water bottle cases

They do not belong in your blue cart. Many Atlantans instead:

• Reuse them at home
• Take them to retail store collection bins that accept plastic bags and film

Styrofoam and foam products

Most foam products are not accepted in curbside recycling:

• Foam cups and plates
• Foam takeout containers
• Foam packing peanuts and blocks

For most households, these go in the trash, unless a special local drop-off option is available.

Scrap metal, large metal items

• Small metal cans are fine in curbside recycling
• Large metal items (bikes, grills, large metal frames) may require:
  • A metals recycler in the Atlanta area
  • A bulky waste pickup if accepted by the City

Simple Reference: What Goes Where in Atlanta

Recycling While Visiting Atlanta

If you’re staying in a hotel, Airbnb, or short-term rental in Atlanta and want to recycle:

• In many hotels, look for:
  • Blue bins in guest rooms
  • Central recycling stations on each floor or in lobby areas
• In vacation rentals:
  • Ask your host if the property has a City of Atlanta blue cart
  • Follow the same curbside rules as residents if a cart is provided
• When recycling on the go:
  • Use public recycling bins where available in areas like Downtown, Midtown, the BeltLine, and parks, following posted signs on what’s accepted
  • If no recycling bins are available, you can bring recyclables back to your lodging and use their recycling system if they have one

Quick Ways to Make a Bigger Recycling Impact in Atlanta

A few simple habits can make your recycling more effective:

• Focus on the basics: Paper, cardboard, bottles, cans, and jars are the core of Atlanta’s program.
• Keep items clean and dry: A quick rinse and a shake are usually enough.
• Never bag recyclables: Put them loose in the cart; bags cause problems at sorting facilities.
• Avoid “wish-cycling”: If you’re not sure it’s accepted, it’s safer to throw it in the trash than contaminate the load.
• Ask when rules change: If you receive a mailer from the City, or see updated info from Solid Waste Services, follow the new guidance.

How to Get the Most Current Information

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:

• Your collection day
• Whether your address is eligible for curbside recycling
• Cart delivery or repair
• Current accepted materials and any changes to the program
• Bulky item or yard waste procedures

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.