Sanitation Department: Services
Automated Garbage Collection: This is the service for common household waste. Pick up is provided once a week on your designated day of collection. This handout has a list of collection tips (page 4) that can help you make the best use the services.
City garbage trucks use special fitted arms that dump garbage into the truck from curbside. The operator controls the arm from inside the truck cabin. A 96 gallon container is provided by the city. The container has a life expectancy of 15 years with proper care. The container should be periodically cleaned with warm soapy water. Customers are responsible for cleaning their container. Never place hot ashes of flammable material in the container.
Carts are City property and should not be defaced. If you move, the cart remains at the current address. House numbers, street names, and resident’s names shall not be painted or attached to the cart. If your cart breaks through normal wear and tear, the City will replace it at no cost to you. The City is not responsible for repair or replacement of the container when it is damaged due to abuse or neglect. Container replacement fee is $50.00. Containers needing repair or replacement must be emptied, washed out, and placed at the curb. This fee paid to the Sanitation Department offices in the Department of Public Works Building at 1600 Elm Street West.
Please place all household garbage in bags then place bags inside your container with the lid closed. On your regular collection day, place your container by the street side with the handle facing AWAY FROM the street. Container(s) should be placed at least 3 feet from any object. Please remove your container from the curb after your collection day (per 2009 Code of Ordinances, § 46-96(c)).
Physically challenged persons may contact our office for assistance with your collection. You can contact our department at 256-233-8747 for further assistance.
Bulk Trash Collection: This service is for collecting large household items such as furniture, appliances, and yard waste. The amount picked up is limited to 4 cubic yards per week. This is approximately 12 feet long by 3 feet wide by 3 feet high (per 2009 Code of Ordinances, § 46-97(c)).
In the event that a contractor/landscaper performs work for a resident and that work generates any trash, scrap, or refuse. The removal of that waste is the responsibility of the contractor/landscaper (per 2009 Code of Ordinances, § 46-95(c)).
Recycling Collection: This service is for picking up recyclables from the curb. The city furnishes one recycling bin per residence. Recycling is collected on the same day as other sanitation services.
Rinse all containers thoroughly before placing them in the recycling bin. Please place bin on curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.
List of Recyclables
Items collected: mixed paper (magazines, newspaper), junk mail, aluminum cans,
bimetal cans, #1 and #2 plastic containers,
Items NOT collected: plastic bags, hazardous waste material
Seasonal Leaf Pickup: This is a service to provide leaf pickup from the street. Service is generally provided between October and January. Trucks will generally cover one garbage day per week, weather permitting. The leaves are made into mulch and you may pick up the mulch material at no charge on designated days.
The schedule and starting date of leaf pick will be published in the Athens News Courier, City of Athens Website under “News & Notes Section”, E-Announcements and email announcement list (subscribe on the City of Athens Website).
