How Roswell Handles Trash & Recycling: A Practical Guide

Roswell maintains 77 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Roswell falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Roswell provides weekly curbside collection of household garbage, recycling, and yard waste using city-owned containers. The pickup window is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the holiday schedule is published by the Environmental/Public Works Department.

Key details: Streams: Garbage, recycling, yard waste. Container: City-owned 96-gallon carts. Collection Window: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.. Holiday Schedule: Published by EPW. Solid Waste: 770-641-3961.

Improperly bagged yard waste, non-city containers, overfilled carts, or items left at the curb after end of day are property-maintenance issues citable by Code Enforcement, with fines under the city's general penalty clause.

Bulk Item Disposal

Roswell offers bulk-item curbside pickup for furniture, appliances, and large household items. Residents must call the Solid Waste Division (770-641-3961) to schedule; there is generally no charge for a reasonable volume per address per year.

Key details: Phone: 770-641-3961. Schedule: Appointment required. Refrigerators: Must show refrigerant-removed tag. Hazardous Waste: Recycling Center, not bulk.

Putting out bulk items without scheduling, or putting out contractor construction debris, is a property-maintenance violation. Code Enforcement can require the resident to remove the items and may issue citation for repeated violations.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Roswell gives residents more flexibility on bulk item disposal.

Bin Placement Rules

Garbage and recycling carts must be at the curb by 8 a.m. on the collection day with the wheels and handle facing the house and the lid opening toward the street. Recycling carts must be at least 3 feet from any other object. Carts must be removed from the curb by the end of the collection day.

Key details: Curb Time: By 8 a.m.. Cart Orientation: Wheels/handle to house. Recycling Setback: 3 ft from other objects. Removal: End of collection day.

Repeated curbside-cart violations are property-maintenance issues citable in Municipal Court with fines under the city's general penalty clause. Carts blocking fire hydrants or stop signs can be tagged and the resident charged a clearance fee.

Recycling Requirements

Roswell offers weekly single-stream recycling using a separate city-provided cart. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, glass, metal cans, and plastics #1-#7. Recycling must be in the city cart - bagged recyclables go to landfill.

Key details: Stream: Single-stream. Frequency: Weekly. Cart: City-provided. Plastic Bags: Not accepted curbside. Drop-Off: Recycling Center on Hembree Road.

Persistent contamination (plastic bags, food waste, non-recyclables) can result in the recycling cart being tagged and the resident charged a contamination fee. Repeat issues can lead to revocation of recycling service for the address.

The rules around recycling requirements in Roswell lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Roswell gives residents more room on trash & recycling. 2 of the 4 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on Roswell's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.