Atlanta Recycling Centers Map: Where and How to Recycle Around the City

Looking for an Atlanta recycling centers map so you know exactly where to take your cans, cardboard, electronics, or old paint? In Atlanta, recycling is handled through a mix of city drop-off centers, county facilities, and specialty recyclers. Knowing which locations accept what can save you time and avoid wasted trips.

This guide walks you through major recycling locations in and around Atlanta, what they take, and how to plan your route like you’re working from a map—whether you live in Midtown, Buckhead, the Westside, or you’re visiting and just want to do the right thing with your waste.

How Recycling Works in Atlanta

Atlanta-area recycling is organized in a few layers:

• City of Atlanta curbside and drop-off centers for residents within city limits.
• Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Clayton County centers serving the broader metro area.
• Specialty sites for electronics, hazardous household waste, scrap metal, and construction debris.
• Private recyclers and donation centers for textiles, furniture, and usable items.

When you’re thinking “map,” it helps to categorize locations by what you need to recycle and what part of Atlanta you’re in.

Key City of Atlanta Recycling Drop-Off Centers

These locations are especially relevant if you live inside the City of Atlanta or are staying in-town and need a dependable place to drop material.

1. Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM)

The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) is often the first place Atlantans think of for items that don’t belong in curbside bins.

• Address: 1110 Hill Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
• Area: South of Downtown, near the BeltLine Southside Trail
• Typical items accepted (varies):
  • Electronics (computers, TVs, small appliances)
  • Paint, chemicals, and household hazardous waste
  • Tires, mattresses, and bulky items
  • Styrofoam, film plastics, and other “hard-to-recycle” materials
  • Certain textiles and scrap materials

✅ Tip: CHaRM often requires appointments or specific drop-off hours and may have small fees for certain items. Check current details before you go.

2. City of Atlanta Residential Recycling Drop-Off Options

While many residents rely on curbside recycling, some people live in apartments or buildings that don’t offer it, or they have overflow that doesn’t fit in the bin. The City typically provides or coordinates:

• Curbside blue cart program (for single-family homes and qualifying townhomes)
• Yard trimmings and bulk waste services with scheduled pickup
• Periodic special collection events for shredding, electronics, or hazardous waste

If you’re looking for a map-style overview of where to take items (including any city-managed drop-off sites that may be active), the City of Atlanta Department of Public Works is your primary reference:

• Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Services
  • Office address: 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone (general information): Often available through the City of Atlanta customer service line (commonly 311 from within city limits or the main city number from outside).

Ask about:

• Current drop-off centers operating within city limits
• Accepted materials at each site
• Any fees or ID requirements for non-residents

Major County Recycling Centers Around Atlanta

If you live just outside Atlanta city limits, you’ll likely rely on your county’s recycling centers. Many Atlantans cross city–county lines daily, so it can be easier to think in terms of north, east, west, and south of the city when planning your route.

Fulton County Area (North and South of Atlanta)

Fulton County includes much of the City of Atlanta plus areas like Sandy Springs, Roswell, and South Fulton. County-level facilities often focus on household trash and yard waste, with recycling services varying by location.

Common resources include:

• Recycling drop-off containers at some transfer stations or convenience centers
• Electronics and household hazardous waste events hosted periodically

For a Fulton-area “map” of where to go:

• Look for Fulton County Public Works or Solid Waste contact information via the county offices.
• If you live in an independent city (e.g., Sandy Springs, Roswell), check whether your city provides its own recycling drop-off site or curbside program.

Typical items where county centers may help:

• Cardboard and paper
• Metals and some plastics
• Yard waste and bulk items (not always recycled, but properly managed)

DeKalb County Area (East of Atlanta)

If you’re in East Atlanta, Decatur, Druid Hills, or Brookhaven, you may be covered by DeKalb County Sanitation.

Key facility:

• DeKalb County Sanitation Division
  • Main campus along Seminole Road corridor in Ellenwood, serving many metro residents.
  • Operates a central transfer station and recycling services that accept:
    • Mixed recyclables (paper, cardboard, plastics, metal cans)
    • Yard trimmings
    • Some bulky items

Residents often use DeKalb locations as a reliable east-side hub for recyclables and household waste disposal. Hours, fees, and accepted materials are listed through the county sanitation office.

Cobb County Area (Northwest of Atlanta)

For residents in Vinings, Smyrna, Marietta, or areas northwest of the city, Cobb County provides a mix of curbside and drop-off options.

Common resource types in Cobb:

• County-run solid waste facilities with recycling drop-off areas
• Partnerships with private transfer stations accepting sorted recyclables
• Special events (electronics recycling, paper shredding, etc.)

If you regularly move between Atlanta and Cobb, you can:

• Use your city services when at your Atlanta address, and
• Take overflow, construction scraps, or specialty items to a Cobb County convenience center, if you’re a Cobb resident.

Clayton County Area (South of Atlanta)

Those living or staying near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, College Park, or southward may rely on Clayton County services.

Clayton County centers often handle:

• Standard recyclables (paper, metals, certain plastics)
• Yard waste
• Some bulky items, with specific rules

If you commute from Clayton into Atlanta, it may be more convenient to use a Clayton County drop-off near home for recycling, and the City of Atlanta or CHaRM for more specialized items that your county facility doesn’t take.

Specialty Recycling: Electronics, Metal, Textiles, and More

Many items cannot go in standard curbside or basic drop-off sites. Around Atlanta, you’ll find a network of specialty recyclers.

Electronics Recycling in Atlanta

Electronics (often called “e‑waste”) include:

• Computers, laptops, and tablets
• Monitors and TVs
• Printers, cables, and small electronics

Common local options:

• CHaRM (Hill Street SE) for many electronics
• County e-waste events periodically hosted by Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, or individual cities
• Retail and independent e‑waste companies located in industrial corridors around the city that accept items for a fee or free, depending on type

⚠️ Important: Older TVs and monitors may have a fee to cover safe recycling. Call any center in advance to confirm.

Scrap Metal and Construction Debris

If you’re doing a renovation or major cleanout around Atlanta, general recycling centers may not be sufficient.

Common materials:

• Scrap metal, appliances, grills
• Concrete, brick, roofing material, drywall
• Large volumes of wood and demolition debris

Typical options:

• Scrap metal yards in industrial areas on the Westside, South Atlanta, or along major corridors like Fulton Industrial Boulevard
• Construction and demolition facilities that sort recyclables (metal, concrete) and dispose of the rest

These are usually private businesses, so:

• Ask about minimum quantities
• Check whether they pay for certain metals or simply accept them
• Confirm what is actually recycled vs. disposed

Textile and Clothing Recycling

Atlanta has many ways to divert textiles from the landfill:

• Clothing donation centers across the city (often represented by large, well-known nonprofits)
• Textile drop boxes in shopping center parking lots and near grocery stores
• Occasional community “swap” or textile recycling events in neighborhoods such as Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park, or West End

If you’re mapping out drop-off spots:

• Combine a trip to a clothing donation center with a visit to a nearby recycling center for the rest of your materials.
• Many Atlantans plan “one big loop” on a Saturday to hit multiple stops.

Quick-Glance Overview: Types of Recycling vs. Where to Go

Below is a simplified reference to help you visualize your “recycling map” around Atlanta:

How to “Map Out” Your Atlanta Recycling Trip

You don’t need a printed atlas to organize your recycling in Atlanta. Most people find it easiest to:

1. Sort everything by type.

   • Recyclables (paper, cans, plastics)
   • Electronics
   • Hazardous items (paint, chemicals, batteries)
   • Bulky items and scrap

2. Identify your nearest primary center.

   • Inside city limits: look at your curbside program, CHaRM, and any local drop-off point.
   • In the metro area: check your county’s solid waste or sanitation division.

3. Add specialty stops to your route.

   • Example loop:
     • Morning: clothing donation center in your neighborhood
     • Midday: CHaRM for electronics and hazardous items
     • Final stop: county convenience center for yard waste or overflow trash

4. Confirm hours and restrictions.

   • Many sites in Atlanta close earlier on weekends or have specific days for certain materials.

5. Keep a “recycling box” at home.

   • Many locals keep a clearly labeled bin or trunk space just for items to take on their next recycling run, especially for CHaRM and electronics.

Tips for Using Recycling Centers Effectively in Atlanta

• Check residency rules. Some facilities are residents-only for a specific county or jurisdiction. Be ready to show ID or a utility bill.
• Prepare items in advance.
  • Rinse food containers.
  • Separate cardboard, paper, and metals when requested.
  • Keep hazardous materials tightly sealed in original containers if possible.
• Watch for seasonal events. Atlanta and nearby cities often host spring and fall “clean-up” days for shredding, electronics, and hazardous waste.
• Avoid contamination. Placing non-accepted items in a bin or at a drop-off can lead to whole loads being rejected. When in doubt, ask staff on site.
• Think reuse first. Before you recycle, consider whether an item (furniture, decor, working electronics) could be donated or reused somewhere in Atlanta.

Who to Contact for the Most Current “Map” of Recycling Options

Because facilities, hours, and accepted materials can change, many Atlantans rely on a few key sources to keep their mental map up to date:

• City of Atlanta Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Services

  • Office: 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • For curbside rules, city drop-off guidance, and bulk waste options.

• Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM)

  • Location: 1110 Hill Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
  • For electronic waste, hazardous household materials, and unusual recyclables.

• Your county’s solid waste or sanitation department

  • Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, and nearby counties each provide information on:
    • Recycling centers and convenience centers
    • Household trash, yard waste, and bulk disposal options
    • Special collection events

By combining these resources, you can create a personal recycling “map” of Atlanta that covers your home, your workplace, and the routes you travel most often—making it far easier to recycle responsibly while living in or visiting the city.