Cobb County, GA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trash setout
- bagged and tied
- Recyclables setout
- loose, not bagged
- Self-haul waste
- must be bagged/covered
- Area covered
- unincorporated Cobb County only
Summary
Cobb County requires residential customers to bag and tie trash before setout, while recyclables must go loose into the recycling container, not bagged.
All persons receiving solid waste collection and disposal services from a permitted collector in residential areas shall comply with the following minimum three requirements:
(1)All solid waste must be enclosed in plastic or plastic-lined bags which are or have been tied, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this section.(2)Yard trimmings, if collected, shall be sorted, and separated from all municipal solid waste to facilitate collection and ultimate handling in accordance with section 102-70(5) of this chapter.(3)All recyclable material collected must be placed loosely (not in a bag) inside of the recyclable container with the exception of the hard-to-recycle (currently under the Hefty ReNew program which is subject to change) material, which should be placed inside of the approved collection bags first and then placed into the recycling container. Nothing in this article shall prohibit persons from disposing of their own solid waste provided that all solid waste is bagged, tied, contained and/or covered when transported for disposal.
(Ord. of 10-22-96; Amd. of 11-20-25)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53).
Full Breakdown
County Code sets minimum setout requirements for anyone receiving residential collection from a permitted hauler in unincorporated Cobb County. All solid waste must be enclosed in plastic or plastic-lined bags that are tied shut, with a separate rule for yard trimmings. Recyclable material, by contrast, must be placed loosely in the recycling container rather than bagged, except for hard-to-recycle plastics, which go into the approved collection bag first. Residents who haul their own waste must still bag, tie or cover it for transport.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliant setout can be grounds for a collector to refuse pickup, and violations of this section are subject to penalties under Section 102-14 and applicable federal, state and local law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bag my trash for pickup in unincorporated Cobb County?
Should recyclables be bagged too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cobb County
Compare Cobb County to another location·View the Georgia trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.