Brookhaven, GA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Section 22-24 opens with the words 'Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary,' so its yard trimmings rules override the rest of Chapter 22. Under (1), yard trimmings are not placed in or mixed with municipal solid waste. Under (2), they are not disposed at municipal solid waste disposal facilities having liners and leachate collection systems or requiring vertical expansion. Under (3), they are sorted and stored for collection in a manner that facilitates collection, composting, or other handling. Under (4), they are sorted and stockpiled or chipped, composted, used as mulch, or otherwise beneficially reused or recycled to the maximum extent feasible. Under (5), the occupant or owner of any premises has the duty to separate yard trimmings from all other municipal solid waste. Under (6), they are not placed in a plastic bag and go in an approved receptacle for yard trimmings, with all other requirements of the chapter on containing yard trimmings and refuse still applying.

Section 22-1 supplies the definitions. Yard debris means leaves, brush, grass clippings, shrub and tree prunings, discarded Christmas trees, nursery and greenhouse vegetative residuals, and vegetative matter from landscaping development and maintenance, other than mining, agricultural and silvicultural operations. The approved receptacle is a biodegradable paper bag, empty cardboard box, clean galvanized metal container or durable plastic container with a capacity of not less than 20 gallons and no more than 40 gallons. Containers need two durable handles on the sides or a bail by which they can be lifted, and oil or grease drums, paint cans and similar salvaged containers do not qualify.

Brush too large for a receptacle follows § 22-18(2): branches are cut to no more than four feet and stacked at the curb, and logs and limbs over four inches in diameter or four feet long are not collected. Vegetation hauled by commercial tree trimmers, landscapers or building contractors is outside city service except on a special fee basis under § 22-20(c).