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

Section 86-2.2(d) of the Smyrna Code sets the yard waste program. The city collects small limbs, shrubs, and bagged leaves and branches weekly. Material is no more than six inches in diameter and no greater than five feet in length, and it must be separated from the garbage. Pick-up is limited to two piles no greater than five feet in height each week. Bags cannot exceed 20 pounds each, each property is limited to 20 bags per pick-up, and bags must be composed of recyclable paper. The city will not pick up dirt, rocks, mulch, logs or stumps, and it is not responsible for contractor or tree arborist debris.

Yard waste cannot ride with the garbage. Section 86-2.1 lists yard waste among the items prohibited for disposal within the city, and section 86-2(d) puts heavy material such as mulch, dirt, sand and dead trees at the expense of the owner. Section 86-1 defines compost material as vegetable material, yard waste, leaves, tree trimmings and grass clippings, and section 86-2.2(b) has the Keep Smyrna Beautiful Commission provide educational materials on backyard composting. The city is not liable for damage to private containers used for yard waste, under section 86-32.1.

Burning is not the alternative. Section 50-7 allows no outside burning of rubbish or yard waste at any time within the city limits. A residential burn permit covers clean wood only, is issued from October 1 through March 30, and cannot be used for leaves or clean wood bigger than six inches in diameter. Permits come from the fire department, and a denial can be appealed to the license and variance board within 30 days.