Disposing of waste in Atlanta is simple if you follow the rules. Here's what you need to know:
- Regular Trash: Use the city's 96-gallon roll carts for weekly pickups. Place carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day and bring them back by 9 p.m. the next day.
- Recycling: Weekly curbside service on the same day as trash pickup. Keep recyclables clean and sorted.
- Yard Waste: Use paper bags or labeled containers ("Yard Trimmings"). Limit: 20 bags (max 35 lbs each) per pickup.
- Bulk Items: Schedule up to 12 pickups annually for large items like furniture or appliances. Contact ATL311 at least one business day in advance.
- Construction Debris: Dispose of materials like wood or doors at approved landfills. Special handling required for lead-based materials.
- Hazardous Items: No toxic, flammable, or corrosive materials in regular trash. Use certified facilities for safe disposal.
- E-Waste: Drop off electronics at certified centers, retail programs, or manufacturer take-back services.
- Special Facilities: Take hard-to-recycle items to CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials).
Quick Tips:
- Schedule bulk pickups or special waste disposal in advance.
- Use WasteMatch to connect with local professionals for eco-friendly removal.
- Follow city guidelines to avoid fines and ensure proper waste management.
For more details, read on for specific rules and disposal methods.
Junk King: The Kings of Junk Removal in Alpharetta
Allowed Items for Disposal
Knowing what you can and can't dispose of makes decluttering or remodeling much easier - and helps you avoid fines.
Regular Home Waste
Atlanta residents can use the city's weekly collection service for standard household trash. This service includes a 96-gallon roll cart provided by the city. Make sure to place your cart at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day and bring it back by 9 a.m. the next day. For yard waste, use paper bags or containers labeled "Yard Trimmings." The city collects up to 20 bags (weighing 35 lbs each) per pickup. If you have extra yard waste, you'll need to schedule a bulk collection.
In addition to regular trash, larger items require a separate pickup process.
Large Items
Residents in Atlanta are allowed up to 12 bulk pickups per year for oversized items that don't fit in the regular collection. These include furniture (like couches, tables, or chairs), large appliances, big piles of tree branches, and playground equipment made of metal or wood. To schedule, contact ATL311 or use the city's online portal at least one business day before the pickup. Items should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on the scheduled day.
Building Materials
Construction debris disposal depends on the type of material. For residential projects, items like doors, window frames, and painted wood can be taken to a permitted municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill or a construction and demolition (C&D) debris landfill. If the material contains lead-based paint - like paint chips, dust, or contaminated soil - it must be disposed of at a permitted landfill with special containment measures.
Accepted Recyclables
Atlanta's recycling program offers weekly curbside services on the same day as regular garbage pickup. To ensure your recyclables are accepted, keep them clean and properly sorted. If a collection is missed, call 3-1-1 to reschedule.
Banned Items
Now that you know what can go in your regular pickups, here’s a list of items that should never be included.
Dangerous Materials
Household hazardous waste is not allowed in regular trash pickups in the City of Atlanta. Items labeled as toxic, corrosive, flammable, or irritant need to be handled separately:
- Paints: To dispose of liquid (latex or oil-based) paints, mix them with kitty litter or sawdust to solidify the paint. Leave the lid off before discarding the can.
- Medications: Combine expired or unused medications with coffee grounds and avoid flushing them down the toilet.
- Pesticides and Herbicides: Wrap these items in plastic three times before disposing of them.
"Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be 'household hazardous waste' or 'HHW.' Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them."
– US Environmental Protection Agency
Electronics
Electronic waste (e-waste) requires proper disposal to avoid harming the environment:
- Certified E-Waste Facility: Drop off electronics at certified facilities that ensure secure disposal and data destruction.
- Retail Programs: Stores like Best Buy accept electronics for recycling.
- Manufacturer Take-Back: Companies such as Apple accept old devices and may even offer trade-in credit.
Liquids and Fire Hazards
Hazardous liquids can’t be picked up by garbage trucks, so follow these safe disposal methods:
- Flammable Liquids (e.g., gasoline, paint thinner): Pour into a metal tray and let it evaporate in a well-ventilated area.
- Solvents and Fuels: Allow them to evaporate completely, then wrap the empty containers in plastic three times before disposal.
Other Restricted Items
Certain items require special handling due to their materials or potential environmental harm. Atlanta’s Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) accepts many of these hard-to-dispose items. If you’re a business generating hazardous waste, use professional disposal services.
For a safer alternative, consider using everyday items like baking soda, vinegar, lemons, salt, or olive oil to replace hazardous cleaning products.
sbb-itb-c7714ed
Special Disposal Methods
Sometimes, regular trash pickup just doesn’t cut it for certain items. That’s where specialized services come into play. Here’s how to manage items that need extra care:
Pickup Services
For oversized or bulk waste that’s too much for standard collection, professional pickup services in Atlanta can help. Prices often start at $79 for a large item, with additional items costing around $15 each. Some services even offer a $5 discount for curbside pickups. Many of these companies focus on eco-friendly practices, with some reporting that nearly 75% of what they collect is either donated or recycled.
Disposal Sites
The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) is Atlanta’s go-to facility for specialized waste. Located at 1110 Hill St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315, CHaRM accepts items that regular trash services can’t handle. In 2023, CHaRM processed impressive amounts of waste: 251,012 pounds of Styrofoam, 503,225 pounds of chemicals, 453,224 pounds of glass, and 3,400 mattresses. To use their services, schedule an appointment for household hazardous waste or other hard-to-recycle materials.
For leftover latex paint, some local facilities offer disposal services for a fee. You can also explore Earth911.com, which provides an updated database of recycling locations in your area.
Where to Donate
Donating usable items is a great way to give them a second life while reducing waste. Many local organizations accept furniture, appliances, and other reusable goods.
Here’s how to prepare for donation:
- Clean and organize items to ensure they’re in good condition.
- Confirm the organization’s acceptance criteria.
- Schedule a pickup or drop-off time.
- Request a donation receipt for potential tax deductions.
Easy Disposal Steps
Getting rid of unwanted items in Atlanta is straightforward. Here's how to make disposal simple and hassle-free:
Schedule Ahead
To ensure everything runs smoothly:
- Place items out by 7 a.m. and bring containers back by 9 p.m. for timely service.
- Schedule bulk item collection at least one business day in advance.
Item Preparation
Properly preparing your items helps ensure they’re picked up without delays.
- Put household waste in the 96-gallon green cart and recyclables in the blue cart.
- Clearly label yard waste containers with "YARD TRIMMINGS."
- Use paper bags for yard trimmings, keeping each bag under 35 lbs. Limit to 20 bags or use containers no larger than 32 gallons, labeled on all sides with "YARD TRIMMINGS."
"Over 20 bags of yard trimmings constitute bulk rubbish and require a scheduled collection." - City of Atlanta Solid Waste Services
When everything’s ready, you can also connect with local experts through WasteMatch for professional removal.
Book Through WasteMatch
WasteMatch makes professional junk removal simple:
- Instant connections: Match with verified local waste removal pros.
- Flexible scheduling: Choose same-day or advance booking.
- Transparent pricing: Get upfront quotes with no hidden fees.
- Responsible disposal: Work with providers who focus on eco-friendly practices.
If a collection is missed or you have special requests, reach out to ATL311 by dialing 311 or (404) 546-0311.
Conclusion
Disposing of waste responsibly in Atlanta means sticking to local rules designed to protect public health and safety. These regulations are enforced by city agencies to maintain cleanliness and order throughout the area.
Here are some important points to keep in mind:
- Schedule bulky item pickups at least one business day in advance.
- Use city-issued containers for sorting waste properly.
- Contractors are responsible for managing their own construction debris.
- Take hard-to-recycle items to designated facilities.
These measures help keep Atlanta clean and safe for everyone.
If you need help with waste removal, WasteMatch connects you with trusted local professionals who understand Atlanta's specific requirements. They offer clear pricing and convenient scheduling, making it easy to stay compliant while contributing to a cleaner, greener city.
