Household waste, also known as domestic waste or residential waste, is disposable materials generated by households. 

• Collected once a week (collection day can be found on the Solid Waste Services page in the SWS Operations Tool.
• SWS provides residential properties with a 96-gallon roll cart for solid waste collection.
• Place in green cart(s) curbside no later than 7 a.m. on collection day. (Code of Ordinances: Sec 130-37 (6b)
• Remove cart(s) by 9 a.m. the day after collection day.
• Residents should use City-issued carts and are responsible for keeping their carts clean and odor free.
• If your roll cart is not serviced by 8p.m. on your regularly scheduled collection day, contact 3-1-1 to report the missed collection.
• Carts not set out in time for collection will not be collected until the following week.

• Curbside Collection Tips

• Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

Recyclables will be collected at the curb in containers provided by the City or other containers which are clearly marked recyclables and have a lid to secure the contents. For more information, visit the Recycling page. 

• Collected once a week on the same day as garbage collection (collection day can be found on the SWS Operations Tool
• Place in blue cart curbside no later than 7 a.m. collection day
• Remove by 9 a.m. the day after collection day

Leaves, brush, grass clippings, shrub and tree plantings, including tree roots, branches not exceeding 4 feet in length and 4 inches in diameter, discarded Christmas trees and nursery and greenhouse vegetative residuals.

• Place yard trimmings in paper bags manufactured for yard trimmings disposal or a container labeled “ Yard Trimmings.”
• Yard trimmings will not be accepted in plastic bags.
• SWS may collect up to 20 yard trimmings paper bags per collection. When full, yard trimming bags are not to exceed 35 pounds in weight.
• Over 20 bags of yard trimmings constitute bulk rubbish and require a scheduled collection using the SWS Operations Tool or via ATL311.
• Reusable containers or receptacles used for the disposal of yard trimmings may not exceed a volume of 32 gallons and must be visibly marked with YARD TRIMMINGS on all four sides. (Code of Ordinances: 130-36)

Solid Waste Services offers backyard service to senior residents who are 70 years of age or older, live alone, and are physically incapable of placing the garbage at the curb.

If the person is not capable of placing garbage at the curb, then they must present a licensed physician's certified statement stating that such a person is physically incapable of placing the garbage at the curb. 

RE-CERTIFICATION FOR BACKYARD SERVICE IS REQUIRED ANNUALLY.

If eligible based on the above criteria, you must submit the following:

• Completed New or Cancel Backyard Service Request Form
  • Form also available online
• Certified statement from a licensed physician
  • Statement must state the person is physically incapable of placing the garbage and recycling at the curb and proof of age
• Government issued photo ID
  
  

Submit the completed documents through either of these channels:

• Online  
• Fax: 404-546-9073
• Walk-in Location
  55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 4700
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8:15 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
  
  
• Mail
  

  City of Atlanta Department of Public Works
  c/o DPW Customer Engagement Team
  55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 4700 Atlanta, GA 30303

An incomplete form and missing documents will result in service delays. After submitting your request, please allow up to seven (7)  business days for a response.

Once backyard service is approved, you will be notified of your scheduled collection day. An inspection of the property where backyard service has been requested must be completed within three (3) business days before services begin.

If backyard service is requested and the person requesting the service does not meet the age or physical condition criteria, then the citizen must pay $1,439.04 to receive this service per City Municipal Ordinance 130–37.

Send check to:

City of Atlanta
Attn: Backyard Services
68 Mitchell St., Suite 4800
Atlanta, GA 30303

NOTE: City of Atlanta trucks must be able to enter the driveway for collection and the backyard must be accessible to DPW personnel. Otherwise, backyard service cannot be provided. All yard trimmings must be placed curbside for collection.

If you would like to cancel backyard service, email pwsettlements@atlantaga.gov. Please include your name and address, and someone will follow up with you.

Visit ATL311 for additional information on how to Request New or Cancel Backyard Service or Backyard Service Re-Certification Process.

The City of Atlanta approves a new Solid Waste Recycling Exemption for eligible Senior citizens for the 2021 calendar year.

Criteria are as follows: 

A. All citizens aged 65 or older before January 1, 2021

B. Have income less than $25,760.00 of income for calendar year 2020

The $88 recycling discount is available immediately. Download the application, or call (404) 330-6240.

Return application to:

City of Atlanta, Department of Public Works

55 Trinity Avenue, SW Suite 4700

Atlanta, Georgia, 30303

Effective February 16, 2026, bulk collections will be scheduled on your regular weekly collection day. Bulk collections still must be scheduled.

Please place garbage/recycling carts and yard trimmings (on yard trimming collection weeks) at least six (6) feet away from bulk items at curbside. Carts, yard trimmings and bulk placed too close together may result in one or both being delayed.

• 12 collections per year (if 12 collections per year are exceeded, the resident is charged a fee of $343.10)
• Schedule at least one business day in advance
• Schedule online at https://www.atlantaga.gov/solidwaste or with ATL311 by dialing (404) 546-0311
  • Do not place items at the curb before 7 p.m. the day before the scheduled pickup 
  • A citation may be issued if items are placed on the curb before 7 p.m. the day before scheduled pickup
  • Scheduled bulk collections must be canceled by 3 p.m. the day before the scheduled collection day

Bulk Items Eligible for Collection:

• Approved items must be in the right-of-way, not blocked by mailboxes, cars, overhanging tree branches and/or powerlines
• Household bulk waste includes large items (furniture) or white goods (appliances)
• Bulk Collection is defined as no more than 8 cubic yards (the size of a small room of furniture)
• If the items to be collected exceed 8 cubic yards, the additional items collected will be considered an additional bulk collection
• Garbage carts containing debris may be taken if placed out along with bulk collection items

Bulk Items Not Eligible for Collection:

• The City will not collect auto parts (including tires) or building/construction materials
• Bulk is prohibited for the following:
  • Evictions
  • Vacant properties
  • Items left by contractors

Bulky Yard Trimmings:

• All bulky yard trimmings must be placed in a separate pile from household bulk collection items
• Twenty-one (21) or more yard trimming bags must be scheduled as a bulk collection
• Tree stumps no longer than four (4) feet in length or do not fit in yard trimming bags

Townhome Residents:

• Please provide the gate code in the "Comments" section when submitting a request on the SWS Collection Tool, if applicable. 

The City of Atlanta Solid Waste Services (SWS) may replace damaged garbage/recycling bins.  

If your garbage/recycling bin is damaged, the following methods can be used to request a replacement:  

• Contact ATL311 Customer Service at 404-546-0311
• Submit a request online via the Request below:

In the Customer Notes field, document the following:                  

• How the bin was damage                  
• Where the bin is damaged                  
• How old is the bin                  
• What is your normal collection day  

Be sure to place the damaged bin at the curb on your next collection day. A crew will be by the following business day to inspect and/or replace the damaged bin.

Residential Street Sweeping in Quadrant

The Department of Public Works Solid Waste Service (SWS) sweeps all residential streets with curbs and gutters. Street sweeping occurs three times a year for each quadrant. Signs are posted on main thoroughfares of the quadrant the week before the street is to be swept.  

* Solid Waste Services sweeps all residential streets with curbs and gutters. If cars are parked on the street, the street cannot be swept.

• Provided for residential areas three times a year
• Signs are posted in the area of service 48 hours in advance
• Please adhere to "No Parking" signs to assist with accessing the street during scheduled services

Residential Street Sweeping Out of Quadrant

Street Sweeping occurs three times a year for each quadrant. If your street was missed, submit an online Out of Quadrant service request, or you may call the Customer Service Center at (404) 546-0311.

Street Sweeping Schedule

If this is the month for your street sweeping service, you may submit an online service request below, or you may call the Customer Service Center at 404-546-0311.  

If this is not the month of your street sweeping service, please search the ATL311.com website for the article, Residential Street Sweeping Out of Quadrant.

Street sweeping occurs three times a year for each quadrant. If your street was missed, you may submit an online service request below, or you may call the Customer Service Center at 404-546-0311.  

The City of Atlanta collects dead animals from the curb or from the City’s right of way.  If the animal is in the house or backyard, the resident is responsible for placing the animal at the curb.  

The following methods can be used to request dead animal removal:  

• Contact Customer Service at 404-546-0311.    
• Submit an online request via the Request below –          

In the Customer Notes field, document the following:            

• Type of animal              
• Location of the animal  

NOTE: Dead animals located on the interstate or highways are the responsibility of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). To report a dead animal on the interstate, contact GDOT at 404-635-6800, or dial 911 if it is a traffic hazard.     

• To submit a service request for dead animal removal, please contact ATL311 online or by dialing (404) 546-0311.

Right of Way Maintenance Visibility/Overgrowth Issue

The City of Atlanta removes grass and trees blocking streetlights, medians, signs or turning views in City's right of way.    

In order to have ROW overgrowth cleared for visibility, you may submit a request below or contact ATL311 at 404-546-0311. Be sure to include the location and any details of the overgrowth.

For guidance about overgrowth safety, visit https://www.georgiapower.com/about/grid-reliability/land-tree-management/easements.html

Right of Way Maintenance (ROW) Litter Removal

The City of Atlanta removes trash and litter in the City's right of way.  This includes debris left by City of Atlanta garbage trucks or other vehicles.  

If you would like to request ROW litter removal, you may submit a request by    

• Submitting a request below  
• Be sure to include location and debris details  
• Contact ATL311 at 404-546-0311    

NOTE: The City of Atlanta does not clean up liquids that may spill from garbage trucks.  Light spills are a normal part of garbage collection and will be washed away by rain or evaporate.

A.) No sign shall be allowed in the public right-of-way except as follows or as otherwise permitted by the Code of Ordinances, and all other prohibitions and regulations governing signs in public rights-of-way and upon public property in the Code of Ordinances, including but not limited to section 138.

B.) Any sign installed or placed on public property or right-of-way except in conformance with the requirements of or references in this section shall be deemed to be an illegal sign and shall be immediately removed by the owner or be subject to immediate removal by the city. In addition to other remedies hereunder, the city shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign. This Code section 16-28A.012, and all code sections referenced in this section, shall be enforced by the commissioner of public works or that commissioner's designee.

Read More

• To submit a service request for illegal sign removal, please contact ATL311online or by dialing (404) 546-0311.

The City of Atlanta collects illegally dumped items from the City's right-of-way and from the City's known dump sites.  

The schedule for illegal dump clean-up is as follows:    

• NW & SE serviced in May, July, Sept, Nov, Jan, March    
• NE & SW serviced in June, Aug, Oct, Dec, Feb, April  

If a dump site is causing a visibility issue (blocking the flow of traffic or sight distance) in the public right-of-way, an online request may be submitted by clicking the Create Request button below or you may call Customer Service at 404-546-0311.  

NOTE: If the issue is on private property, report the violation to Atlanta Police Department, Code Enforcement via the request below or by phone at 404-330-6190.

The Solid Waste Education Enforcement Team (SWEET) serves to promote public safety, public health and the welfare of the citizens of the City of Atlanta. SWEET oversees enforcement of all sanitation regulations for the City of Atlanta including provisions for proper storage, collection and disposal of solid waste, recycling and illegal dumping as well as guidelines for the proper maintenance of residential yards and commercial establishments.

S.W.E.E.T. Enforced Ordinance Search

Solid Waste Management

Street, Sidewalk & Other Public Places

Top Ten Violations

Construction Material
Municode: 130-45
 

Dumpster Enclosure
Municode: 130-43(d)(2)(d)

 Dumpster Overflow
Municode: 130-43(d)(1) (C)

Illegal Dumping
Municode: 130-7

Illegal Signs
Municode: 138-13

Maintenance Inspection of Property
Municode: 130-2

Mixed Rubbish Refuse
Municode: 130-36(d)

Right of Way Containers
Municode: 130-39
Municode: 130-37 (6) (b)

Scrap Tires
Municode: 130-32

Yard Trimmings (No Plastic Bags)
Municode: 130-36

Keep Atlanta Beautiful Commission (KABC) is the official Keep America Beautiful affiliate for the city of Atlanta. KABC serves as the public education and outreach component of the Department of Public Works Office of Solid Waste Services.

Services

• Recycling Outreach
• Community Appearance Index (CAI)
• Litter Survey
• Scrap Tire Abatement
• Neighborhood Cleanups
• Community Garden Workdays
• Graffiti Abatement Kits
• Right-of-Way Receptacle Inspections 

Programs

• Adopt-a-Spot
• Atlanta Recycles Day
• Semi-Annual Scrap Tire Drive
• Bring One for the Chipper
• Christmas Tree Recycling
• Feet in the Street Recycling Contamination Campaign
• Great American Cleanup
• Earth Day Projects
• National Planting Day
• America Recycles Day
• River’s Alive Cleanups

The Code Enforcement Commission partners to implement a Code Enforcement Training Academy to empower City of Atlanta residents with knowledge surrounding code enforcement and the law through various departments. The City of Atlanta Code Enforcement Academy Training program will provide participants with knowledge of core job functions through classroom instruction and educate members of the community on departmental structure, premise violations, substandard structures, 3-1-1 overview and community partnerships.

Peach Portal 

The Solid Waste Education Enforcement Team (SWEET) serves to promote public safety, public health and the welfare of the citizens of the City of Atlanta. SWEET oversees enforcement of all sanitation regulations for the City of Atlanta including provisions for proper storage, collection and disposal of solid waste, recycling and illegal dumping as well as guidelines for the proper maintenance of residential yards and commercial establishments.

SWEET officers are an essential part of the city’s team of code enforcement officers who have been trained in the applicable Municipal Code requirements relative to their department’s primary area of purview. SWEET Enforcement Officers are assigned per NPU of the city to oversee education and enforcement of solid waste code violations in the public right-of-way.

The City of Atlanta is divided into twenty-five (25) Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs), which are citizen advisory councils that make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on zoning, land use, and other planning-related matters. The NPU system was established in 1974 by the late Mayor Maynard Jackson to provide an opportunity for all residents to actively participate in the Comprehensive Development Plan, which is the city's vision for the next five, ten, and fifteen years. Since then the NPU system has evolved into what it is today – the official avenue for residents to receive updates concerning all functions of City government. Enabling residents to express concerns and provide input helps the City in developing plans that best meet the needs of each neighborhood. 

• Read more about Neighborhood Planning Units