Atlanta, GA Trash Pickup Schedule
Collection days, holiday changes, recycling rules, and drop-off options for Atlanta, Georgia — in one page, with sources.
Trash in Atlanta, GA runs on a set schedule — your exact day depends on your address. Rules and holiday shifts below.
Pickup days are assigned by address — the city's lookup gives your day, and the schedule repeats each week unless a holiday shifts it.
When is each service collected?
Recurring schedule for Atlanta services.
| Service | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trash | Weekly trash AND recycling same day, Monday-Friday, by zone (new/old zone families; some... | Depends on your address — the city assigns days via its lookup/map |
What changes on holidays?
Upcoming days that move your pickup, with the exact shift rule.
- Named 2026 holiday list (captured in facts file) — Runs one day later: Slide rule: collection slides to 4:30 p.m.-Friday pattern per city holiday schedule page.
Which bin does it go in?
Search the material, follow the color: green chip recycles, red goes to trash.
| Material | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| carts | Recycle - Garbage carts are green, recycling carts blue; both 96 gallons. SWS "provides residential properties with a 96-gallon roll cart" (city SWS page snippet; ATL311 KB0012471). |
| single_family_only | Recycle City collection covers SINGLE-FAMILY homes; multi-family is private service [atl-facts] |
What about bulky or special items?
Mattresses, appliances, storm debris — the rules before you set them out.
- Bulk by appointment — POLICY CHANGE Feb 16, 2026: bulk items now ride on the regular collection day and MUST be scheduled — 12 free pickups per year.
- Setout window — Carts out by 7 a.m., removed by 9 a.m. same day.
- Contact — - ATL311 Customer Service: call 3-1-1 or 404-546-0311; email atl311@atlantaga.gov; Georgia Relay 711; hours Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–midnight (ATL311 KB0013127 page). Residents find their weekly collection day via the Solid Waste Services Collection Tool; "GET A REMINDER" button sends weekly
More details: bulk & yard waste page.
Who collects what?
The provider for each service and how to reach them.
| Service | Provider | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Trash | City of Atlanta DPW — Office of Solid Waste Services (municipal; single-family only) |
Common questions
The things Atlanta residents ask most.
Who picks up trash in Atlanta?
The city's Office of Solid Waste Services collects for single-family homes; multi-family buildings arrange private service.
How do I get bulk items picked up in Atlanta?
Schedule it — since Feb 16, 2026 bulk rides on your regular collection day by appointment, 12 free pickups per year.
What time do carts need to be out in Atlanta?
By 7 a.m. on collection day, removed by 9 a.m.
What changed recently?
Every update to this page, newest first.
- Record created for Atlanta GA (~518k) — giant #4 to fall this session: city-run single-family collection (weekly trash+recycling same day, twin-day zones, 96-gal carts), scheduled bulk riding on regular day (12/yr, Feb 2026 policy change), full named holiday list, ReCollect area AtlantaGA (28 zones).
Population 510,823 · Sources: ReCollect area AtlantaGA (embed confirmed; 28 zones) · Summarized from municipal, hauler, and public-data records; schedules change without notice.