HEADLINE: Yard Waste DOs & DON'Ts
Posted on Jun 27th, 2025
Yard waste delays + DOs and DON’TsFrom Anna Patton - PBA Board Member/NPU-C Representative PBA representatives are working to address missed yard trimming collections. After two consecutive missed collection dates, a truck finally arrived in the neighborhood on Tuesday, June 24th – but much was left behind. Some neighbors were also visited by the Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Team (S.W.E.E.T.) to inform them that their yard trimmings violated the City’s ordinances. In the future, please note:
- Yard trimmings consist of leaves, brush, grass clippings, branches, and tree roots not exceeding 4 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter. Christmas trees will be accepted on a specific holiday pick-up date.
- Acceptable containers include marked paper bags not exceeding 35 pounds each, as well as reusable containers that are clearly labeled “Yard Trimmings” on all sides and do not exceed 32 gallons (much smaller than the size of the standard trash and recycling bins).
- Plastic bags are not acceptable containers, AND acceptable containers that also contain dog waste bags will not be collected.
- Branches and debris left loose or bundled on the ground and outside of a container will not be collected.
- More than 20 bags of yard trimmings, loose branches, and debris, or trimmings exceeding the weight and size limits, constitute bulk rubbish and require a separate scheduled collection via the ATL311 website or call line.
Please tend to any yard trimmings left in front of your home after the recent pickup, as they are likely not in compliance with City ordinances. If you have any questions, please visit the City of Atlanta Office of Solid Waste website.
