Solid Waste Collection

Collection Day

Single-family residential garbage, yard waste, and recycling collection service is divided into four service days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. 

Find your service day here. 

 

Holiday Schedules

Holiday collection schedules and schedule changes are posted to this page, the Decatur Focus, and social media. (Please disregard DeKalb County notices regarding the County's solid waste and recycling holiday schedule.) Click here for the November 2023 - September 2024 Holiday Schedule.

 

Sanitation Requirements

  • Set Out Time. All garbage, trash, recyclables, yard trimmings, furniture and appliances for collection must be ready for collection by 7:30 a.m. on collection day. (See code section 82-34 (e) in the City of Decatur Code of Ordinances.) Arrival times will vary due to many conditions, but no collector will arrive before 7:30 a.m. 
  • Containers on the Curb. Refuse and recycling containers may be not placed at the curb before 5 p.m. the day before collection and must be removed from the curb by midnight on collection day. (See code section 82-34 (f) in the City of Decatur Code of Ordinances.) 
  • Garbage Must Be Accessible. Garbage is collected from the curb, rear, or side yard and must be accessible to the refuse collection scooter (see code section 82-34 (c) (2) (d) in the City of Decatur Code of Ordinances). Commingled and glass recycling bins must be placed at the curbside.
  • For more information regarding sanitation requirements, see code Section 82-43 in the City of Decatur Code of Ordinances

Pay As You Throw

The City utilizes a Pay As You Throw (PAYT) system for its sanitation services. Residents purchase special PAYT trash bags from local stores and markets. Bags come in three sizes and the price per pack of 10 bags includes the cost of the bags, state sales tax, and tipping fees at the landfill. All household trash must be placed in a PAYT bag in order to be collected.

PAYT Bag Cost 

  • 8 gallon (green) – $4.32/10 pack

  • 15 gallon (yellow) – $7.56/10 pack

  • 33 gallon (blue) – $15.12 /10 pack

Where to Purchase PAYT Bags   

  • Intown Hardware, 1404 Scott Blvd. 
  • Kroger, 720 Commerce Dr. 
  • Kroger, 2875 N. Decatur Rd. 
  • Kroger City Center, 3479 Memorial Dr. 
  • Publix, 2155 N. Decatur Rd. 
  • Publix, 3870 N Druid Hills Rd.
  • Toco Hills Ace Hardware, 2983 North Druid Hills Rd.
  • Kelly's Market, 308 E. Howard Ave.
  • Hop N Shop, 710 E. Lake Dr.
  • Oakhurst Market, 650 E. Lake Dr.
  • Savi Provisions, 180 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
  • Kelly's Market, 308 E. Howard Ave.
  • Kroger, 1225 Caroline St.
  • Publix, 2720 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
  • Publix, 2235 Glenwood Rd.

Bulky Items & Tires

Bulky items like furniture and appliances are accepted free of charge as a part of regular sanitation pick-up. A $50 service fee is required for items containing freon. Up to 4 tires will be picked up as a part of regular sanitation services. 

Hazardous Waste

Disposal of hazardous household material is handled by DeKalb County. For more information on hazardous waste events, visit the DeKalb County Sanitation Event Schedule.

Motor Oil

Residents may drop of their used motor oil at nearby auto part stores such as AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, and Pep Boys.