Atlanta Bulk Trash Pickup: ATL311 Rules, Accepted Items & Alternatives

Atlanta gives residents a pretty good deal on bulk trash pickup: eligible households can schedule up to 12 collections a year through ATL311 before an extra fee kicks in.

The catch? Not everything qualifies, and the rules aren’t always obvious until you’re staring at a couch, TV, or pile of renovation debris wondering whether the city will take it.

Electronics are out. Contractor debris is out. Household hazardous waste needs another disposal plan. And having “Atlanta” in your mailing address doesn’t necessarily mean you live inside Atlanta city limits.

Here’s what ATL311 bulk pickup covers, what it doesn’t, and what your other options look like when curbside collection isn’t the right fit.

Atlanta’s bulk collection program is run through the Office of Solid Waste Services and is meant for large household items that don’t fit in a normal trash cart.

As of February 2026, bulk pickups are tied to your regular weekly collection day instead of the older zone-based calendar.

The basic process is simple:

1. Schedule the pickup through ATL311. You can submit a request at atl311.com or call 404-546-0311.
2. Put your items out after 7 p.m. the evening before collection.
3. Keep bulk items at least six feet from your trash and recycling carts.
4. Keep the pile clear of sidewalks, mailboxes, fire hydrants, utility equipment and low-hanging wires.

Don’t put a pile at the curb and hope for the best. Unscheduled or improperly placed bulk waste can lead to a Notice of Violation, and continued violations can carry penalties of up to $1,000 per offense.

Atlanta residents get up to 12 scheduled bulk collections per year. Under the city’s FY2026 rate schedule, a one-truck-capacity load after those 12 calls costs $343.10.

The city’s approved list covers most of the bulky household items people actually need to get rid of.

These categories come directly from the City of Atlanta’s current bulk collection guidelines.

A note about Atlanta’s building-material rule

The city’s current webpage contains conflicting wording around the four-cubic-yard limit. It lists “building materials exceeding four cubic yards” under both approved materials and materials that are not accepted. Contractor-generated debris, however, is clearly excluded.

If you have a large pile of brick, drywall, lumber or similar project debris, it’s worth confirming the load with ATL311 before moving everything to the curb.

A few categories are clearly excluded from Atlanta’s regular bulk collection program.

Electronics

TVs, computers, printers and other electronics aren’t accepted through Atlanta bulk pickup.

For drop-off recycling, Atlanta residents can use the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) at 1110 Hill Street SE. CHaRM Atlanta is open by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

TVs and monitors currently cost $25 each for residential drop-off. Most other accepted household electronics have no residential fee. CHaRM accepts many rechargeable and specialty batteries, but not alkaline or car batteries.

If hauling a TV or computer across town isn’t how you wanted to spend the afternoon, LoadUp also offers electronics removal in Atlanta.

Contractor and renovation debris

If you hired a contractor to do the work, Atlanta’s rules put responsibility for the debris on the contractor. Those materials aren’t eligible for regular city bulk collection.

That includes debris from residential work performed by someone you paid to complete the project.

DIY material is less clear-cut because of the city’s conflicting four-cubic-yard language. For a larger remodeling pile, confirm eligibility with ATL311 or use a private construction debris removal service rather than guessing.

Household hazardous waste

Oils, fuels, paint and solvents aren’t accepted through bulk collection. Metal drums and pressurized gas cylinders are also excluded.

CHaRM accepts many household chemicals and paints, although preparation rules and fees vary by material. Chemicals should remain in their original containers.

This one trips people up.

An Atlanta mailing address does not automatically mean your home receives City of Atlanta solid waste services. Parts of the metro area use Atlanta postal addresses while sitting in DeKalb County, Fulton County or a separate incorporated city.

Before planning around ATL311, use the City of Atlanta’s Solid Waste Services Collection Tool and enter your address. The tool shows your collection information for city-served properties.

This is especially worth checking if you live near areas where city and county boundaries get messy.

If ATL311 doesn’t serve your address, don’t worry. You may simply have a different local program.

Unincorporated DeKalb County has its own bulky-item and special-collection program, and the rules are different from Atlanta’s.

DeKalb accepts common bulky items such as:

• Furniture
• Mattresses and box springs
• Toilets and bathroom fixtures
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Washers and dryers
• Stoves and dishwashers
• Microwaves
• Air conditioners
• Water heaters

Appliances must be emptied before collection. Refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed.

Unlike Atlanta, DeKalb requires you to place the items at the curb before submitting the request. You can request collection online, email solidwaste@dekalbcountyga.gov, or call 404-294-2900.

Bulky-item collection is fee-required. General special collections start at $115, with a $258.80 per-truckload rate, and fees are assessed after an on-site review. Standard bulky-item requests are generally collected within 10 business days. Special collections are scheduled within three business days after payment is verified.

DeKalb does not accept tires, hazardous materials, concrete products, Bagster bags or liquids through this program.

The city program is a great option when it fits the job. There’s no reason to pay for removal if ATL311 already covers what you need and the timing works.

Private removal can also make more sense during a move, estate cleanout or home-sale prep when “sometime on collection day” isn’t quite specific enough.

LoadUp provides in-home and curbside junk removal throughout Atlanta. You can see your price before booking, and same-day or next-day pickup may be available. LoadUp’s service is built around clear upfront pricing rather than waiting for an on-site estimate.

When usable furniture or household items qualify, donation may also be an option depending on the item’s condition, location and what local organizations can accept. Donation isn’t guaranteed, so we’d rather be clear about that upfront than promise a second life we can’t confirm.

ATL311 is worth using when your items qualify, you have a pickup available, and the schedule works for you.

But sometimes you have a TV the city won’t take, a house full of furniture that needs to be carried downstairs, or a moving truck showing up tomorrow.

That’s where another option helps.

With LoadUp, you can book junk removal services in Atlanta online, see your price upfront and choose a pickup time that works for you. No mystery. No waiting around for three estimates. Just one less thing taking up space.