Dekalb County Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026
This guide is for DeKalb County, Georgia. County sanitation serves unincorporated DeKalb County and several cities including Brookhaven, Decatur, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stonecrest, Stone Mountain, and Tucker. Once service is active, garbage, recycling, and curbside yard trimmings are all collected on the same assigned day each week.
📑 What’s in this guide
For most residents in the county sanitation service area, the pattern is simple once you know your assigned day: garbage once weekly, recycling once weekly on the same day, and yard trimmings once weekly on the same day. Bulky items are request-based instead of a fixed monthly curbside program.
How to Find Your DeKalb County Trash Pickup Day
DeKalb County assigns one weekly collection day for residential garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings. If you are a new customer, your collection day is provided when service is established. If you already have service but are unsure of your day, the fastest option is to contact the Sanitation Division directly.
- Confirm you are in the county service area. DeKalb sanitation covers unincorporated DeKalb County plus Brookhaven, Decatur, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stonecrest, Stone Mountain, and Tucker.
- Use your assigned weekly day. Garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings all run on that same day.
- Check holiday notices before major weeks. Some 2026 holidays shift service by one day.
- Call customer care if you do not know your day. Use 404-294-2900 or email sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov.
- Keep a weekly reminder. That helps most during holiday weeks and after weather delays.
DeKalb County Trash Pickup Schedule: What Runs When
Once service is active, most residential curbside collection follows this weekly pattern.
| Service | How It Works | Typical Frequency | Where to Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garbage | Bagged household waste inside the county-approved roll cart | Weekly | Sanitation Division / Collection Procedures |
| Recycling | Single-stream recyclables, loose in the recycling cart | Weekly, same day as garbage | Sanitation Division / Recycling Program |
| Yard Trimmings | Paper bags, approved containers, or tied bundles | Weekly, same day as garbage | Collection Procedures |
| Bulky Items | Requested separately after items are placed at curb | As needed | Bulky Items & Special Collections |
DeKalb County also uses weekly same-day collection for recyclables through a single-stream program, so residents do not need to sort recyclables by type before putting them in the cart.
Garbage, Recycling, Yard Trimmings, and Bulky Items
DeKalb County uses different rules for each type of material. Following them matters because noncompliant piles and containers can be left uncollected until the next scheduled service day.
Garbage Cart
Recycling Cart
Yard Trimmings
Bulky Items
Important recycling reminder: recyclables should be loose in the cart. DeKalb says glass, shredded paper, plastic bags, electronics, hazardous materials, food waste, and plastics #3 through #7 are not accepted in curbside recycling.
⭐ Easy DeKalb shortcut
If it is not regular household trash, ask which bucket it belongs in before putting it out: recycling cart, yard trimmings setup, bulky item request, or landfill/transfer station disposal. That prevents most missed collections.
DeKalb County Set-Out Rules
DeKalb crews start early, and the county has clear preparation rules for weekly curbside service.
- Place items out after 7:00 p.m. the night before.
- Have everything available by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
- Remove containers within 24 hours after service.
- Keep recyclables loose in the cart. Do not bag them.
- Use biodegradable paper bags or approved containers for yard trimmings. Plastic bags are not accepted.
- Bundle branches and limbs properly. Cut them to no more than 4 feet long, tie securely, and keep each piece under 25 pounds.
DeKalb County Bulky Items and Special Collections
Bulky item service in DeKalb County is request-based. The county distinguishes between free bulky item pickups and fee-based special collections after an on-site assessment.
Common bulky item situations include:
- Household appliances
- Furniture
- Large volumes of garbage or yard trimmings
- Construction and demolition debris
- Wood fencing, decking materials, logs, and large limbs
- Place items at the curb first. DeKalb says items must be curbside before you submit the request.
- Keep the pile neat and accessible. Do not block mailboxes, sidewalks, utilities, flower beds, or drainage systems.
- Submit the request. You can request service online, by email at sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov, by phone at 404-294-2900, or in person at 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, GA 30032.
- Wait for assessment if needed. County staff determine whether the collection is free or fee-based.
- Pay before fee-based collection occurs. The county says special collections are collected within 10 business days after payment is verified.
Fee-based special collection pricing listed by the county:
| Collection Type | Minimum Fee | Per Truckload |
|---|---|---|
| General special collection | $100 | $225 |
| Tree parts over 3 inches diameter | $200 | $450 |
| Commingled piles | $200 | $450 |
⭐ DeKalb resident advantage
The county says free bulky item requests are generally collected within 10 business days of the request. That is useful when you do not have a fixed monthly bulky week and need to plan around moving or appliance replacement.
DeKalb County 2026 Holiday Trash Schedule
DeKalb County posts a full 2026 residential holiday collection schedule. Some holidays cause a one-day delay, while others have no change.
| Holiday | Collection Impact |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day — Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 | No service on Thursday. Thursday customers are serviced on Friday. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 | No service on Monday. Collection runs one day late for all customers. |
| Presidents Day — Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 | No service on Monday. Collection runs one day late for all customers. |
| Memorial Day — Monday, May 25, 2026 | No service on Monday. Collection runs one day late for all customers. |
| Juneteenth — Friday, June 19, 2026 | No change in collection service. |
| Independence Day observed — Friday, July 3, 2026 | No change in collection service. |
| Labor Day — Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 | No service on Monday. Collection runs one day late for all customers. |
| Veterans Day — Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026 | No service on Wednesday. Collection runs one day late for Wednesday and Thursday customers. |
| Thanksgiving — Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 | No service on Thursday. Thursday customers are serviced on Friday. |
| Christmas Day observed — Friday, Dec. 25, 2026 | No change in collection service. |
The county also lists Christmas tree collection from December 26, 2025 through January 8, 2026 and again from December 28, 2026 through January 7, 2027.
What to Do If DeKalb County Missed Your Pickup
If your garbage, recycling, or yard trimmings were not collected, DeKalb gives a clear missed-collection process.
- Check that everything met collection rules. Improper setup is a common reason for a missed pickup.
- Confirm timing. Items must be out by 7:00 a.m. on the correct collection day.
- Report the miss within 24 hours. DeKalb says missed collections should be reported within 24 hours of the scheduled day.
- Call or email customer care. Use 404-294-2900 or sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov.
- Leave the items accessible. The county notes service requests are typically serviced by Friday.
DeKalb County Landfill and Transfer Station Options
Some items do not belong in regular carts or curbside piles. DeKalb County also operates disposal facilities that can help with self-haul needs.
Seminole Road Landfill
4203 Clevemont Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294. Resident disposal and electronics recycling.
Central Transfer Station
3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, GA 30032.
North Transfer Station
4600 Buford Highway, Chamblee, GA 30341.
Recycling Program
Single-stream weekly recycling rules and cart options for DeKalb County residents.
Facility highlights: The Seminole Road Landfill is listed with resident disposal and electronics recycling. The North Transfer Station is open Monday through Friday and on Saturday mornings, while the East Transfer Station is temporarily closed.
Frequently Asked Questions About DeKalb County Trash Pickup
How often is trash collected in DeKalb County, Georgia?
DeKalb County sanitation provides weekly garbage collection for residential customers in its service area.
Is recycling collected on the same day as garbage?
Yes. The county says curbside recycling is collected once a week on the same day as garbage.
Is yard trimmings collection weekly in DeKalb County?
Yes. Curbside yard trimmings are collected once a week on the same day as garbage and recycling.
When should I place my carts out?
Place containers out after 7:00 p.m. the night before collection and make them available by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Remove them within 24 hours after service.
How do I request bulky item pickup in DeKalb County?
Place the items at the curb first, then submit a request online, by email, by phone, or in person through the Sanitation Division.
How long does bulky item pickup usually take?
DeKalb says free bulky items are generally collected within 10 business days of the request, and fee-based special collections are generally collected within 10 business days after payment is verified.
What if my pickup was missed?
Missed collections should be reported within 24 hours of the scheduled collection day by calling 404-294-2900 or emailing sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov.
Can I put plastic bags in yard trimmings?
No. The county says plastic bags are not accepted for yard trimmings. Use biodegradable paper bags or approved containers instead.
Can I put glass or electronics in curbside recycling?
No. DeKalb says glass and electronics are not accepted in curbside recycling carts.
Which 2026 holidays change DeKalb County trash service?
New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving change the sanitation schedule in 2026, while Juneteenth, Independence Day observed, and Christmas Day observed list no change in collection service.
Official DeKalb County Trash Collection Resources
Sanitation Division
Main county sanitation page for residential, commercial, recycling, and support services.
Collection Procedures
Official setup rules for garbage, recycling, yard trimmings, and missed collections.
Bulky Items & Special Collections
Request steps, timelines, fee-based items, and bulky-item preparation guidance.
Recycling Program
Single-stream recycling rules, accepted materials, and cart details.
2026 Holiday Collection Schedule
Official DeKalb County residential sanitation holiday schedule for 2026.
Sanitation Customer Care
Call 404-294-2900 for missed collections, service questions, and collection day help.
Reminder: DeKalb County does not use a monthly bulky-item zone system. Weekly garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings run on one assigned day, while bulky items require a request.