Atlanta Trash Schedule: How Garbage Pickup Works in the City of Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta, knowing your trash schedule helps you avoid overflowing carts, missed pickups, and surprise holiday changes. While collection is handled at the neighborhood level, the City of Atlanta follows clear patterns for trash, recycling, and yard trimmings.

This guide walks through how the Atlanta trash schedule works, how to find your exact pickup day, and what to do when service is delayed or missed.

Who Handles Trash Pickup in Atlanta?

Within the City of Atlanta limits, residential solid waste is primarily handled by:

City of Atlanta Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Services
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 330-6333 (ATL 311 main line – ask for Solid Waste)

Key services they provide:

• Household garbage collection
• Recycling collection
• Yard trimmings pickup
• Bulk item pickup (by appointment or limited schedule)
• Dead animal pickup from public right-of-way (call 311)

If you live in nearby areas like unincorporated Fulton County, DeKalb County, Sandy Springs, or Brookhaven, your trash schedule and provider may be different. Always confirm you’re looking at City of Atlanta information if your address is inside city limits.

How to Find Your Atlanta Trash Pickup Day

Collection days vary by street and neighborhood. To find your specific trash day in Atlanta:

1. Check your utility or welcome packet
   Many residents receive a mailer or notice when they move in that lists their weekly trash and recycling day.

2. Call ATL 311

   • Dial 311 from inside city limits, or (404) 546-0311 from outside.
   • Provide your street address.
   • Ask for your solid waste collection schedule (trash, recycling, yard trimmings).

3. Ask your property manager or HOA
   Apartment complexes, condos, and some townhome communities may use private haulers with separate schedules. In those cases, follow the information from your management office rather than city guidance.

Once you know your standard collection day, most weekly pickup follows a simple pattern unless a holiday, weather event, or emergency changes it.

Typical Weekly Trash, Recycling & Yard Trimmings Schedule

Most single-family homes and small residential properties in Atlanta follow this weekly pattern:

Your exact day of the week depends on your address. Many neighborhoods have trash, recycling, and yard trimmings collected on the same weekday, but pickup may occur at different times of day.

What Time to Put Out Your Trash in Atlanta

The City of Atlanta generally asks residents to:

• Place carts and yard trimmings at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection day
• Avoid putting carts out too early (many residents aim for the evening before collection)
• Remove carts from the curb after collection the same day

Since collection routes can change or trucks may come earlier or later than usual, it’s safest to have your trash out by early morning.

Holiday Trash Schedule in Atlanta

Trash pickup in Atlanta changes on certain holidays observed by the City. When a major holiday falls on a weekday, the usual pattern is:

• No collection on the holiday
• Collection shifts later in the week (for example, Monday moves to Tuesday, Tuesday moves to Wednesday, and so on)
• Friday routes may move to Saturday

Common holidays that often affect Atlanta’s trash schedule include:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day (July 4th)
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

📌 Tip: Around major holidays, expect delays, later pickup times, or shifted days, especially if the holiday is early in the week. When in doubt, call 311 a few days before the holiday.

What the City of Atlanta Will Pick Up

Understanding what belongs in your trash cart versus recycling or yard trimmings helps prevent missed pickups or extra fees.

Household Trash (Garbage)

Use your city-issued garbage cart for:

• Bagged household trash from kitchens, bathrooms, and general cleaning
• Non-recyclable packaging and broken household items that fit inside the cart
• Small items from decluttering (as long as the lid can fully close)

General rules:

• Bag all garbage securely to reduce spills, odors, and pests
• Keep the cart lid closed; overflowing carts may not be collected
• Do not put hot ashes, hazardous waste, or construction debris in your city cart

Recycling

Recycling is collected on a separate route, usually the same day as trash. Commonly accepted items include:

• Paper and cardboard (flattened boxes, newspapers, office paper)
• Metal cans (aluminum, steel)
• Plastic bottles and containers labeled with accepted recycling symbols
• Glass acceptance can vary; check current city guidance before placing in cart

Avoid putting the following in your recycling cart:

• Plastic bags or plastic film
• Food-soiled containers
• Styrofoam
• Yard waste or regular garbage

If the recycling cart is contaminated with trash, the city may treat the whole cart as garbage.

Yard Trimmings

Yard trimmings (often called yard waste) typically include:

• Leaves, grass clippings, and pine straw
• Small branches and sticks (within length and diameter limits)
• Garden trimmings and plant material

Common preparation rules:

• Place in paper lawn bags or approved containers, or bundle sticks with twine
• Keep bundles within reasonable size and weight limits so workers can safely lift them
• Avoid mixing dirt, rocks, lumber, or construction materials with yard waste

Bulk Trash & Large Item Pickup in Atlanta

For items too large to fit in your cart (like furniture or large appliances), the City of Atlanta typically requires special handling.

Examples of bulk items:

• Mattresses and box springs
• Couches, chairs, and other large furniture
• Large appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers/dryers — often with extra rules)
• Large, non-construction household items

How to arrange bulk pickup:

1. Call 311 (or 404-546-0311) and ask about bulk item pickup.
2. Provide details:
   • Your address
   • Type and number of items
3. Follow instructions for:
   • Pickup date or window
   • Where to place the items
   • Any preparation requirements (example: removing doors from refrigerators)

Note: Some items, especially those with refrigerants, electronics, or hazardous components, may require special recycling or drop-off rather than curbside pickup.

Missed Pickup: What To Do If Your Trash Wasn’t Collected

If your Atlanta trash, recycling, or yard trimmings weren’t picked up:

1. Check the basics

   • Is it your assigned collection day?
   • Was your cart at the curb by early morning?
   • Are carts blocked by cars, mailboxes, or other obstacles?

2. Look for neighborhood patterns
   If many neighbors still have full carts, collection trucks may simply be running late, especially after holidays or storms.

3. Allow extra time
   On heavy-collection days, trucks may be out later than usual.

4. Report a missed pickup

   • Call ATL 311 or (404) 546-0311
   • Provide your address and specify which service was missed (trash, recycling, or yard trimmings)
   • Ask whether there are known delays in your area

In many cases, Solid Waste Services will attempt a make-up collection on a following day.

Atlanta Trash Schedule During Severe Weather or Emergencies

Atlanta sometimes adjusts trash schedules during:

• Severe thunderstorms and high winds
• Ice storms or winter weather
• Major public emergencies or street closures

In those situations, you may notice:

• Suspended collection for a day
• Delayed or shifted routes
• Streets that are temporarily inaccessible due to debris or ice

If severe weather hits:

• Keep carts away from areas where they can be blown into streets or drains
• Wait for updated collection guidance from 311 or city communications
• Expect make-up days or slightly altered pickup times

Trash Service for Apartments, Condos, and Businesses

The City of Atlanta’s standard solid waste schedule mainly applies to:

• Single-family homes
• Small multi-family properties with individual carts

For apartment buildings, condos, and commercial properties:

• Many use private waste haulers
• Schedules, rules, and fees can differ significantly from city services
• Bulk pickup, recycling options, and dumpster rules are set by the property manager or association

If you live in or manage one of these properties:

• Check with your leasing office, HOA, or building management
• Ask for the trash and recycling schedule, dumpster locations, and move-out bulk policies

Helpful Contacts for Trash-Related Questions in Atlanta

Here are key Atlanta resources if you’re unsure about your trash schedule or how to handle certain items:

• ATL 311 (City of Atlanta Customer Service)

  • Dial 311 within city limits
  • Or call (404) 546-0311 from outside
  • Ask for Solid Waste Services or trash collection assistance

• City of Atlanta Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Services
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone via 311: (404) 330-6333 (through ATL 311)

When you call, it helps to have:

• Your full address, including ZIP code
• A clear question (for example: “What is my trash and recycling pickup day?” or “How do I schedule a bulk pickup?”)

By knowing your weekly trash day, how holidays affect service, and how to handle bulk and yard waste, you can stay in step with the Atlanta trash schedule and keep your home and neighborhood running smoothly.