Trash & Recycling in Atlanta, GA (2026)
4 verified trash & recycling rules for Atlanta, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Atlanta provides curbside trash and recycling collection for single-family and small multi-family residences (1–3 units) through the Department of Public Works. Collection occurs weekly on a designated day based on the property's zone. The city uses automated collection with 96-gallon rollcarts for trash and recycling.
Atlanta Trash Pickup Schedules & Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Atlanta DPW — Office of Solid Waste Services, Household/Garbage (Code of Ordinances Sec. 130-37(6b))
Household/Garbage Household waste, also known as domestic waste or residential waste, is disposable materials generated by households. Collected once a week (collection day can be found on the Solid Waste Services page in the SWS Operations Tool . SWS provides residential properties with a 96-gallon roll cart for solid waste collection. Place in green cart(s) curbside no later than 7 a.m. on co...
Bin Placement Rules
Atlanta specifies rules for trash and recycling bin placement under City Code Chapter 130. Bins must be placed at the curb edge, not in the street or blocking sidewalks, and must be retrieved after collection. Proper placement ensures efficient automated collection and prevents obstructions for pedestrians and vehicles.
Atlanta Trash Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Atlanta provides bulk item pickup service for residential properties through the Department of Public Works. Residents must schedule bulk pickup through Atlanta 311 in advance. Common bulk items include furniture, mattresses, and appliances. There are limits on the number of items per pickup and restrictions on accepted materials.
Atlanta Bulk Item Disposal & Pickup
Some RestrictionsCity of Atlanta DPW — Office of Solid Waste Services, Bulk Collection (Special Operations)
Bulk Collection Effective February 16, 2026, bulk collections will be scheduled on your regular weekly collection day. Bulk collections still must be scheduled. Please place garbage/recycling carts and yard trimmings (on yard trimming collection weeks) at least six (6) feet away from bulk items at curbside. Carts, yard trimmings and bulk placed too close together may result in one or both being...
Recycling Requirements
Atlanta provides single-stream recycling collection for residential properties. The city's recycling program accepts paper, cardboard, glass bottles, metal cans, and plastics #1-7. Recycling is collected weekly alongside trash using separate city-provided rollcarts. The city encourages recycling through education campaigns and the Atlanta Recycles initiative.
Atlanta Mandatory Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsCity of Atlanta Department of Public Works — Office of Solid Waste Services, Recycling
Recycling Recyclables will be collected at the curb in containers provided by the City or other containers which are clearly marked recyclables and have a lid to secure the contents. For more information, visit the Recycling page. Collected once a week on the same day as garbage collection (collection day can be found on the SWS Operations Tool Place in blue cart curbside no later than 7 a.m. c...
Looking for Fulton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Atlanta city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Fulton County →