Atlanta Bulk Trash Pickup Rules (2026 Rules & Calendar)
Bulk pickup is listed as available for up to 12 items per collection. Single-family households receive up to 12 free scheduled bulk pick-ups per year on their regular collection day. Scheduling in advance is mandatory through ATL311 (online or phone 404-546-0311). Place items in front of property after 7 p.m. the day before collection and at least 6 feet away from carts. Maximum volume is 8 cubic yards per collection.
Atlanta bulk pickup rules
| Collection rule | Single-family households receive up to 12 free scheduled bulk pick-ups per year on their regular collection day. Scheduling in advance is mandatory through ATL311 (online or phone 404-546-0311). Place items in front of property after 7 p.m. the day before collection and at least 6 feet away from carts. Maximum volume is 8 cubic yards per collection. |
|---|---|
| Limit per pickup | 12 items |
| Permitted materials | Furniture, Appliances |
| Advance notice | Required before collection. |
| Dispatch phone | 404-546-0311 |
Allowed vs. disallowed bulk materials
Furniture
AcceptedSofas, chairs, dressers, tables, and mattresses are accepted; place flat on ground curbside.
Appliances
AcceptedWhite goods including refrigerators, washers, dryers, and water heaters are accepted; remove appliance doors.
Construction debris
Not acceptedBuilding materials, dirt, rock, automotive parts, and tires are strictly prohibited from curbside bulk collection.
How to throw away a mattress in Atlanta
Follow the listed bulk rule: Single-family households receive up to 12 free scheduled bulk pick-ups per year on their regular collection day. Scheduling in advance is mandatory through ATL311 (online or phone 404-546-0311). Place items in front of property after 7 p.m. the day before collection and at least 6 feet away from carts. Maximum volume is 8 cubic yards per collection.
Special disposal mandates
Plastic mattress encasement: The listed rules do not require mattress bagging. Confirm any material-specific handling instructions before pickup. Read mattress bagging laws →
Freon sticker for refrigerant appliances: The sticker requirement has not been verified. Confirm the appliance procedure with dispatch.
Atlanta Curbside Scavenging & Trash Picking Rules
Whether you want usable items salvaged before the compactor crushes them or you are looking for scrap metal, understand the local curbside legal boundaries in Atlanta.
Public Curb vs. City Cart Ownership
Under federal precedent, property discarded in public rights-of-way is legally abandoned. However, many municipal ordinances classify materials placed inside official city-owned recycling carts as city property. Removing materials from inside containers can trigger municipal pilfering fines.
Mark Usable Items with a "FREE" Sign
If you want scrap metal collectors or neighbors to haul away working appliances, lawnmowers, or furniture before bulk pickup day, tape a clear "FREE" sign to the item and place it directly on the curb line away from your private driveway.
Atlanta Area Landfills & Citizen Drop-Off Stations
When you have large renovation loads, dirt, concrete, or bulky waste exceeding curbside limits, self-haul directly to a verified transfer station or county landfill serving Fulton County.
📍 1110 Hill Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Atlanta premier drop-off facility for electronics, household chemicals, tires, paint, textiles, and hard-to-recycle materials. Available by appointment only via 404-600-6386.
📍 2175 James Jackson Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
City drop-off site for commercial landscapers, tree contractors, and residential excess yard trimmings.
All open truck beds and trailers must be secured with a tarp. Unsecured loads face an immediate $20 to $50 state fee at the scale.
Most facilities have a minimum entry fee ($25 to $45) covering up to 1,000 lbs, with prorated per-ton rates for heavier commercial debris.
To receive discounted residential gate rates, bring a valid state driver license and a current local municipal water or utility bill.
If your project exceeds city bulk limits, review our dumpster rental vs. bulk pickup cost comparison or read our construction debris weight guide.
Local disposal alternatives in Fulton County
For items that cannot go at the curb, check these official disposal resources. Confirm accepted materials, residency requirements, fees, and hours before visiting.
Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM)
1110 Hill Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Atlanta premier drop-off facility for electronics, household chemicals, tires, paint, textiles, and hard-to-recycle materials. Available by appointment only via 404-600-6386.
Hartfield Yard Trimmings Site
2175 James Jackson Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
City drop-off site for commercial landscapers, tree contractors, and residential excess yard trimmings.
The nearest eligible transfer station or landfill depends on your address and the material. These resources are not ranked by distance.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Atlanta Department of Public Works · municipal dpw
Phone: 404-546-0311
55 Trinity Ave SWAtlanta, GA 30303
These collection rules cover Zone Atlanta Citywide Curbside Routes.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Atlanta, GA?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Place cart at curbside no later than 7 a.m. on collection day. Carts may be set out after 7 p.m. on the evening before collection. Remove carts by 9 a.m. the day after collection day.. These rules apply to Zone Atlanta Citywide Curbside Routes.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Atlanta?
As of 2026-10-10: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Atlanta Citywide Curbside Routes.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Atlanta?
Single-family households receive up to 12 free scheduled bulk pick-ups per year on their regular collection day. Scheduling in advance is mandatory through ATL311 (online or phone 404-546-0311). Place items in front of property after 7 p.m. the day before collection and at least 6 feet away from carts. Maximum volume is 8 cubic yards per collection. The listed limit is 12 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 404-546-0311 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Atlanta Citywide Curbside Routes.
What items are accepted for recycling in Atlanta?
The listed accepted materials are Paper and mixed paper: office paper, magazines, catalogs, envelopes, and newspapers, Cardboard: corrugated boxes and clean food boxes (flattened to save cart space), Plastic containers and bottles: beverage bottles, detergent jugs, and plastic clamshells, Metal containers: aluminum beverage cans and steel or tin food cans, Glass containers: clean food and beverage bottles and jars (all colors). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags and plastic film (never bag recyclables; place loose in cart), Food waste and organic kitchen scraps, Yard trimmings and garden debris (collected separately), Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam cups, food trays, and packing peanuts), Hazardous chemicals, batteries, and electronics (drop off at CHaRM), Garden hoses, electrical cords, and wires. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Atlanta Citywide Curbside Routes.