Atlanta Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
Atlanta recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
Accepted items
- 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)
Prohibited items
- 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
Can you recycle these items in Atlanta?
Can you recycle cardboard in Atlanta?
AcceptedFlatten all boxes; place loose inside the blue city recycling cart.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in Atlanta?
AcceptedClean cardboard sections are accepted; discard grease-stained inserts or food remnants in garbage.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in Atlanta?
AcceptedPET #1 bottles and containers rinsed clean; place loose with caps attached.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in Atlanta?
AcceptedHDPE #2 jugs and bottles rinsed clean; place loose in blue cart.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in Atlanta?
Not acceptedPVC #3 containers are not accepted in Atlanta curbside recycling.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in Atlanta?
Not acceptedPlastic shopping bags and stretch wrap are prohibited; recycle at retail grocery drop-offs.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in Atlanta?
AcceptedPP #5 food tubs and containers rinsed clean and dry are accepted loose.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in Atlanta?
Not acceptedPolystyrene and foam takeout containers are prohibited from curbside carts.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in Atlanta?
Not acceptedPlastics #7 and mixed resins are prohibited.
Can you recycle glass in Atlanta?
AcceptedGlass bottles and jars rinsed clean; place loose inside blue recycling cart.
Can you recycle aluminum in Atlanta?
AcceptedAluminum beverage cans and clean foil containers; place loose in cart.
Can you recycle shredded paper in Atlanta?
Not acceptedShredded paper clogs sorting screens; dispose of in regular trash or bring to shredding events.
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 2026-09-23: 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.