City of Atlanta Solid Waste Services: What Residents Need to Know

Managing trash, recycling, and bulky items in a big city can be confusing. In Atlanta, solid waste services are mainly handled by the City of Atlanta Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Services Division. Whether you live in a house, a townhouse, or a small apartment building, it helps to understand what the City picks up, when they come, and what your responsibilities are.

This guide focuses on how solid waste works in Atlanta, Georgia—pickup schedules, what goes in each cart, special collections, and how to get help.

How Solid Waste Service Works in the City of Atlanta

Most single‑family homes and many small residential buildings inside Atlanta city limits receive regular service from Solid Waste Services. This usually includes:

• Garbage (household trash) collection
• Recycling collection
• Yard trimmings collection
• Bulk item pickup (by request or special rules)
• Street sweeping and some right‑of‑way litter services in certain areas

These services are funded primarily through a solid waste fee on your property tax bill, rather than a separate monthly utility bill.

If you live in an apartment, condo, or commercial building, your trash may be handled by a private hauler instead of the City. In that case, the property manager or landlord usually arranges service.

Key Contacts for Atlanta Solid Waste Services

City of Atlanta – Department of Public Works (Solid Waste Services)

• Customer Service / ATL 311: Dial 311 inside city limits or 404‑546‑0311 from outside Atlanta
• Typical inquiries: Missed pickup, damaged carts, bulk pickup requests, new/extra cart requests, questions about service days

For in‑person help or mailing, residents commonly use:

• City Hall – 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (general city services and billing assistance)

Always check your most recent City of Atlanta information or 311 for any updated phone numbers or office locations.

Weekly Collection: Trash, Recycling, and Yard Trimmings

Standard Service: What Most Households Receive

For most eligible homes in Atlanta, the City provides:

• One garbage cart (usually 96‑gallon, City‑issued)
• One recycling cart
• Yard trimmings collection (in approved containers or paper bags)

Many neighborhoods operate on a once‑a‑week pickup schedule for each service, often on the same day. However, yard trimmings and recycling schedules can vary by route or be on alternating weeks in some areas.

To confirm your pickup day, residents often:

• Call 311 / 404‑546‑0311
• Check their latest solid waste mailing or bill insert
• Use the City of Atlanta’s service day lookup (referenced through 311)

What Belongs in Your Garbage Cart

Your solid waste (trash) cart is for typical household waste that can’t be recycled or composted, such as:

• Food scraps and non-recyclable packaging
• Non-recyclable plastics (wrappers, plastic bags, some foam)
• Broken household items that are small and not hazardous
• Used paper towels, tissues, and similar items

Keep in mind:

• Bag all garbage before placing it in the cart to reduce litter and pest issues.
• Do not overfill—the lid should close completely for safe pickup.
• Do not place hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, motor oil, batteries) in the trash.

What Belongs in Your Recycling Cart

The City of Atlanta generally accepts many common recyclables. While lists can be updated, typical items include:

• Paper & cardboard: newspapers, magazines, mail, flattened cardboard boxes
• Plastic bottles and containers labeled with accepted recycling symbols (commonly #1 and #2, sometimes others as specified by the City)
• Metal cans: aluminum and steel food and beverage cans
• Glass bottles and jars (where accepted under current rules)

General rules:

• ♻️ Empty, clean, and dry recyclables before placing them in the cart.
• No plastic bags in the recycling cart—loose items only.
• No food, yard waste, or Styrofoam (unless the City has specifically listed them as accepted).

For the most accurate, up‑to‑date list, residents are encouraged to call 311 and confirm what the City is currently accepting, as recycling programs can change over time.

Yard Trimmings Collection

Atlanta’s yard trimmings service helps keep leaves and branches out of landfills. Typically accepted items include:

• Grass clippings
• Leaves
• Small branches / limbs (often with length and diameter limits)
• Shrubs and plant clippings

Common rules:

• Use paper yard bags or approved containers (not your City garbage or recycling cart).
• Bundle branches with string or twine, cut to the length and size limits specified by the City.
• Do not mix dirt, rocks, or construction debris with yard trimmings.

If you regularly have a lot of yard waste, or large limbs after storms, it’s wise to contact 311 to see if a special pickup is required.

Bulk Items and Special Pickups

What Counts as Bulk Waste?

Bulk waste usually refers to large household items that don’t fit in your City trash cart, such as:

• Mattresses and box springs
• Sofas, chairs, tables, other large furniture
• Large appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers)
• Large quantities of bagged household junk during cleanouts

These items are not collected with your regular trash in most cases.

How to Request Bulk Pickup in Atlanta

Atlanta residents typically must schedule bulk pickup through 311 / 404‑546‑0311. When you call, be ready to provide:

• Your address
• A description of the items you need collected
• The number of items
• Placement location (usually curbside in front of your property)

Important points:

• The City may set limits on how many items can be collected per appointment.
• Certain items, such as refrigerators or freezers, often need their doors removed and may require special handling.
• Some materials (construction debris, tires, hazardous waste) may not be eligible for bulk pickup and may need to go to a transfer station or special drop‑off.

Construction Debris, Tires, and Other Hard‑to‑Dispose Items

Solid Waste Services does not treat everything as regular garbage. The following are often handled differently:

• Construction & demolition debris: drywall, lumber, roofing, bricks, tile
• Large quantities of dirt or concrete
• Tires
• Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze)
• Household hazardous materials (certain paints, solvents, pesticides)

For these, the City may:

• Direct residents to a private disposal site,
• Offer special collection events on specific days, or
• Provide instructions via 311 for drop‑off options.

If you’re doing a major renovation or clearing out a large amount of material, it is common to:

• Rent a temporary dumpster from a private hauler, or
• Haul items directly to a transfer station or landfill that accepts public drop‑offs, following local rules and fees.

Cart Issues: Lost, Damaged, or Extra Carts

Your green, blue, or black City-issued carts belong to the City of Atlanta and are assigned to your address.

Typical situations:

• Damaged cart (broken wheels, cracked lid, missing handle):
  • Call 311 / 404‑546‑0311 to request repair or replacement.
• Missing cart (lost or stolen):
  • Report it through 311. The City may replace it after confirming your account details.
• Need an extra cart due to large household or frequent waste:
  • Additional carts may be available for an extra fee; check with 311 for current policies and costs.

Place carts at the curb or designated pickup location the night before or early the morning of collection, with the cart handle facing your house and space around it so trucks can lift it safely.

Holiday Schedules and Weather Delays

Holiday Changes

On major holidays, the City of Atlanta often:

• Pauses pickup on the holiday itself and
• Shifts pickup days later in the week (e.g., a Monday pickup may move to Tuesday).

Atlanta residents are usually notified through:

• City announcements
• Local news
• Messages shared through 311 and City communications

If your trash wasn’t picked up on its normal day and a holiday just occurred, it is often due to a holiday schedule shift.

Weather and Emergency Delays

Severe weather, such as ice, snow, or major wind events, can also delay trash and recycling collection. In these cases:

• Keep your carts at the curb unless instructed otherwise.
• Expect makeup days or slight schedule changes.
• Check with 311 for updated route information.

Solid Waste Fees and Billing

Most residential solid waste services in Atlanta are funded through a solid waste fee that appears on your city property tax bill.

Key points:

• Owners of single‑family homes and small residential properties typically pay this fee.
• The fee amount can reflect service type and cart size.
• Questions about fees, billing disputes, or service level changes can be directed to:
  • 311 / 404‑546‑0311, or
  • The City of Atlanta’s Treasury or billing offices at City Hall (55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303), depending on the nature of the question.

If you’re renting, the solid waste fee is usually paid by the property owner, but some landlords may factor these costs into rent.

Common Rules and Best Practices for Atlanta Residents

To keep service smooth and avoid missed pickups or violations, Atlanta residents generally should:

• Set carts out on time
  • Place your carts out the night before or by early morning on collection day.
• Position carts correctly
  • Keep carts a few feet apart, away from mailboxes, parked cars, and utility poles.
• Don’t block sidewalks or streets
  • Place carts near the curb, but leave room for pedestrians and drivers.
• Keep prohibited items out of carts
  • No hazardous waste, electronics, or construction debris in household trash or recycling.

One‑Look Summary: City of Atlanta Solid Waste Basics

If You’re New to Atlanta or Just Moved Within the City

When you move into a new home or rental within the City of Atlanta:

1. Confirm you’re inside city limits

   • Some “Atlanta” mailing addresses are actually in DeKalb, Fulton, or other jurisdictions with different waste providers.

2. Ask the landlord or seller about existing carts

   • Make sure City carts stay with the property.

3. Call 311 to set up or verify service

   • Confirm your pickup day, available services, and any special rules for your street or complex.

4. Ask about bulk options before a big move‑out cleanup

   • If you have old furniture or appliances to dispose of, schedule bulk pickup in advance or explore local drop‑off options.

Understanding how City of Atlanta solid waste works makes it easier to keep your home, street, and neighborhood clean. When in doubt, 311 / 404‑546‑0311 is the City’s primary, one‑stop resource for questions about trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulk services in Atlanta.