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Office of Solid Waste Services
The Office of Solid Waste Services is responsible for the collection and disposal of solid waste within the City of Atlanta. Additionally, the office provides vacant lot clean-up; maintenance of various rights-of-way specified in the Atlanta City Code and dead animal removal and disposal. The office also oversees landfill operations; the City’s recycling program; enforcing codes related to lawn maintenance and the disposal of yard trimmings; and assists in citywide emergency operations.
Administration
The Administration Division is comprised of Education and Enforcement, Waste Reduction and Management Analysis. These units are responsible for code enforcement and compliance, maintaining contracts devoted to waste reduction, recycling and composting, route analysis, mapping, off-site plan review, budget preparation and developing educational publications and activities.
Operations
The Operations Division is responsible for household garbage collection and bulk rubbish and yard trimming collection. Operational divisions are organized by function in order to increase their efficiency in operations and service delivery.
FY2010 Solid Waste Collection Schedule
Effective Monday, September 14, 2009 household garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings are collected weekly on the scheduled collection day.
TO REPORT A MISSED PICKUP please contact the Customer Service Call Center.
The Customer Service Call Center can be reached Monday - Friday, 8:15 am - 5:00 pm at (404) 330-6333 or via email to publicworks@atlantaga.gov. After hours emergency calls may be placed to (404) 290-7058.
Requests for Fee Reduction/Tax Exemption
The senior citizen Exemption is administered by the Tax Assessor's office. Taxpayers age 65 and over with an annual income of $39,000 or less can receive a 30% exemption on their Solid Waste service fee. The $30.00 recycling exemption is offered by Public Works for persons (regardless of age) who make less than $8,000.00 annually.
Hardship cases are reviewed by Fulton County with regards to making payment arrangements - - but not reductions on the bill. Customers should contact the Fulton County Tax Commissioner's Office at 404.613.0656 to make such arrangements.
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Office of Solid Waste Services
The Office of Solid Waste Services is responsible for the collection and disposal of solid waste within the City of Atlanta. Additionally, the office provides maintenance of various rights-of-way specified in the Atlanta City Code and dead animal removal and disposal. The office also oversees the City’s recycling program; enforcing codes related to lawn maintenance and the disposal of yard trimmings; and assists in citywide emergency operations.
Administration
The Administration Division is comprised of Education and Enforcement, Waste Reduction and Management Analysis. These units are responsible for code enforcement and compliance, maintaining contracts devoted to waste reduction, recycling and composting, route analysis, mapping, off-site plan review, budget preparation and developing educational publications and activities.
Operations
The Operations Division is responsible for household garbage collection and bulk rubbish and yard trimming collection. Operational divisions are organized by function in order to increase their efficiency in operations and service delivery.
Starting Garbage Collection Service
New property owners can fax or mail a copy of their settlement statement to the Customer Service Division in order to obtain a garbage container ("Herbie Curbie"):
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 4800 / Atlanta, Georgia 30303-0326 / Attention: Customer Service Division
404.330.6333 (office) / 404.546.9073 (fax)
Garbage collection occurs weekly. Herbie Curbies should be placed on curb by 7p.m. the previous day and removed from curb by 7 p.m. on collection day.
2010 HOLIDAY CALENDAR
· Monday, MLK, Jr., Day, January 18, 2010
· Monday, Memorial Day, May 31, 2010
· Sunday, Independence Day, July 4, 2010
· Monday, Labor Day, September 6, 2010
· Thursday, Veterans Day, November 11, 2010
· Thursday, Thanksgiving, November 25, 2010
· Friday, December 24, 2010
· Saturday, New Years Day, January 1, 2011
Holidays that fall on Monday will be delayed one day. Holidays that fall on Friday, Saturday or Sunday do not impact regularly schedule pick up days. Collection continue on the customer’s regularly scheduled pick up day.
Backyard Pick Up Service
All persons having physical limitations which prevent placement of garbage receptacles at the curb are entitled to receive backyard collection services without charge, provided the following requirements are met:
(A) Age only criteria.
Any residence where there are no persons between the ages of 12 and 70 capable of placing garbage at the curbside.
(B) Physical Condition criteria.
Each person between the ages of 12 and 70 at a residence not capable of placing garbage at the curbside must present a certificate from a physician licensed to practice medicine by the State stating that such person is physically incapable of placing garbage at the curbside. (See City of Atlanta Ordinance, Chapter 130: Solid Waste Management, Sec.130-37(c)(3)).
If you are receiving backyard garbage collection service and fail to meet the criteria listed above then you must submit a payment of $962.21 per year to cover the cost of this service. This entitles you to receive backyard garbage collection from January 2nd through December 30th. (See City of Atlanta Ordinance, Chapter 130: Solid Waste Management, Sec. 130-84(4) and Sec. 130- 37(c)(2)).
Additionally, each year, all persons receiving backyard garbage collection service must be recertified as to the physical condition preventing the placement of garbage at the curbside. (See City of Atlanta Ordinance, Chapter 130: Solid Waste Management, Sec.130-37(c)(5)).
Please contact the Department of Public Works Customer Service Division at (404) 330 – 6333 if you would like to apply or have additional questions.
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What is household hazardous waste? Household hazardous wastes are any product labeled: toxic, poison, corrosive, flammable, combustible or irritant that is thrown into the household garbage can.
The City of Atlanta does not have a collection program for household hazardous waste (HHW). According to the US Environmental Protection Agency,
“Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be "household hazardous waste" or "HHW." Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them.”
Whenever possible, find more environmentally benign products in place of commonly hazardous products. Using common products like baking soda, vinegar, lemons, salt, and olive oil work effectively to clean and protect. See the suggested links listed below for more information on alternatives.
If you do have household hazardous wastes that you must dispose of, follow these suggestions for proper disposal:
Other informative links:
U.S. EPA Household Hazardous Waste:
http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/hhw.htm
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program-King County
http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/index.cfm
Missouri County Extension Office-Household Hazardous Waste Products Identification:
http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=WM6003
A Consumer Guide To Safer Alternatives To Hazardous Household Products:
http://www.p2pays.org/ref/04/03591.htm
Non-Toxic Alternatives To Hazardous Household Products:
http://www.clinton-county.org/Waste/documents/NontoxicalternativestoHHW.pdf
Sierra Club-Canada-Safe Alternatives To Household Hazardous Products For Family, Pets, and Environment:
Eco-Mall Green Shopping Companies and Products:
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/epasafe22.htm
Smart Disposal-A Prescription For A Healthy Planet-Medication Disposal:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Medicine Disposal:
www.fws.gov/news/newsreleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=BD972725-A176-1841-9F1266DD535BE6B1
Collection events for electronics are a regular occurrence from 8 – 4, the third Saturday of every month at Grady High School. Check the Keep Atlanta Beautiful site for more information:
http://www.keepatlantabeautiful.org
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The Department of Public Works appreciates your time and resources in helping to keep Atlanta beautiful. We would be happy to assist with your neighborhood clean-up project. However, we ask that you adhere to following guidelines:
Schedule Your Project
Contact the Office of Solid Waste Services to schedule pick-up of trash, yard trimmings, or recyclables by calling (404) 330-6333. Items compiled from your clean up project cannot be removed without a scheduled pickup.
Yard Trimmings
Place in water tight paper bags or a reusable container not to exceed 35-Gallon capacity.
Tree Limbs
Cut limbs 4 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter, stack neatly together near yard trimmings.
Plastic Bags
DO NOT use for yard trimmings. Plastic bags can only be used for household garbage, litter, etc. Place near furniture and appliances.
Furniture
Place furniture in a separate location from the yard trimmings and tree limbs. A separate truck will collect these items.
Appliances
Refrigerators and air conditioners (appliances with coolant) should be scheduled for pick-up through Solid Waste Services at (404) 330-6333. Stoves are to be placed with furniture items for pickup.
Building Materials
DO NOT place these items out for pick-up.
Automobile/Truck Parts & Tires
DO NOT place these items out for pick-up. You may contact Georgia Tire Recycling at (404) 355-0547. A fee is assessed for this service.
Paint Cans
DO NOT PLACE LIQUID PAINT IN THE GARBAGE CAN - Add kitty litter or saw dust to liquid oil paints to solidify them before placing the cans – lid off- in the garbage. Latex paints are not considered hazardous, but they must be solidified before disposal so simply leave the lid off the can so the paint will dry. Dispose in the garbage – lid off. ONLY empty paint cans or cans with solidified paint can be put into the garbage container.
Concrete/Bricks
DO NOT place these items out for pick-up.
Household Hazardous Waste
[See Household Hazardous Waste]
How to Solidify Paint
Warning: This management option can cause harm to human health and the environment if the described procedures are not followed carefully.
Materials needed:
Warning: Do not use a paper-based product as an absorbent because it could spontaneously ignite.
Safety Precautions
Solidify paint in well-ventilated areas that are inaccessible to children and pets. Do not solidify the paint in a basement or inside the house. If you should feel dizzy or nauseous while working with the paint, take a fresh air break.
Do not solidify paint in a garage or shed where there is an appliance that uses a pilot light, welding activities, light switch, light bulb, electric garage door or any other source of spark or flame. Volatile, reactive or flammable chemicals can concentrate in an inadequately ventilated room. If the room has a source of spark or flame, the airborne chemicals could explode or cause a fire.
Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages while solidifying paint. Avoid inhalation of fumes. If you can smell it, you are breathing the product. Wear protective gloves to avoid skin contact while handling the paint.
Procedures
To solidify small quantities, such as an inch or two in the bottom of a can, simply remove the lid, add non-flammable absorbent and stir until all the liquid is absorbed. When the paint is solidified, place the absorbent and paint cans inside a garbage bag, seal the bag tightly and dispose of it in the trash destined for the landfill.
For larger quantities of paint, mix absorbent and paint in a bucket or sturdy cardboard box and stir. It will be easier if you pour some absorbent in the bottom of the container and add the paint slowly while stirring. Continue to alternate the absorbent and paint and stirring. The end product should be similar in texture to the absorbent. When the paint is solidified, place the absorbent and container inside a garbage bag, seal it tightly, and dispose of it in the trash destined for the landfill.
For additional information, please contact the Department of Public Works at (404) 330-6333.
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WHO WE ARE The City of Atlanta Recycling Program is a division of the Department of Public Works/Office of Solid Waste Services. This division:
This division also serves as a liaison with local, state, and federal agencies on recycling issues to ensure responsiveness to problems and concerns, prepares grant proposals and maintain records on the City’s recycling programs. We encourage recycling and appreciate the efforts of our community. A recycling bin is provided to our customers upon establishing service. If you would like to use a larger recycling bin you may use your own, clearly labeled bin for "RECYCLING". You may also choose to order a City of Atlanta 95 gallon rolling recycling cart, please send a check or money order for $70 to: City of Atlanta / Department of Public Works / 55 Trinity Avenue SW / Suite 4800 / Atlanta, GA 30303-3531 MAKE SURE THE DELIVERY ADDRESS IS ON THE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER. The cart will be delivered to the address listed on the check/money order. ReCART PILOT INCENTIVIZED RECYCLING PROGRAM The City of Atlanta is excited to present the ReCART (Rewards for Collecting All Recyclables Together) Curbside Recycling Pilot Project! ReCART is a one year pilot program (with (2) two one year renewals at the City’s discretion), whose premise is to measure change in recycling habits of an initial 10,000 city households to determine the viability of a citywide program to increase recycling through incentives. For more information click here. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ CURBSIDE RECYCLING____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Recycling collection is the same day as garbage collection.Please use a City-issued recycling bin or a larger bin clearly labeled "RECYCLING".Paper:
Glass:
Cans:
Plastics:
Cardboard:
All recyclables are placed together in the bin and are separated at the recycling processing facility. To find recycling drop-off sites near your home or office, for items not accepted curbside, check out: www.earth911.com FY2010 SOLID WASTE COLLECTIONS SCHEDULEEffective Monday, September 14, 2009 recycling collection occurs weekly on the customer’s scheduled collection day
TO REPORT A MISSED PICKUP please contact the Customer Service Call Center Monday - Thursday, 8:15 am - 6:00 pm at (404) 330-6333 or via email to publicworks@atlantaga.gov.
To obtain a recycling bin, please call 404.330.6333. For recycling tips, please call the City's Recycling Program Coordinator at 404.865-8540.
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COMPOSTING
Here are helpful links with more information about composting:
Backyard composting links:
http://www.myecoville.com/us/ga/residential-recycling-programs/composting-yard-trimmings
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/EnvironmentalManagement/publications/composting.pdf
Compost Demonstration sites near and around Atlanta, Georgia:
Atlanta: at 156 Heaton Park Drive, maintained by the Fernbank Science Center (Phone: 404-378-4314 ext. 318)
Athens: near the University of Georgia campus, maintained by the University of Georgia Grounds Department (Phone: 706-542-7531)
Roswell: All the Roswell, Georgia recycling stations now have compost demonstration sites. They offer a wide variety of recycling options, including Goodwill charity depostories, tree chipping service and the backyard composting demonstration. No contact information or addresses available at time of listing. Listed 1/8/97.
http://www.habershamga.com/composting.cfm
http://www.acc-recycle.org/composting.htm
http://www.thisland.uiuc.edu/57ways/57ways_31.html (University of Illinois)
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL
The Fulton County Tax Commissioner is responsible for the collection of Solid Waste Service fees on behalf of the City of Atlanta. This is a user fee - not a tax - for solid waste collection, disposal and recycling for the residents of the City of Atlanta. Your annual bill provides a description of your property, defined service period, and bill summary.
RESIDENTIAL:
Base Rate - $ 307.19 per year
Recycling - $ 30.00 per year
Frontage - $ 0.94 per foot of paved street frontage and, to cover rubbish collection costs for unpaved frontage
$ 0.67 per foot of unpaved street frontage, up to a maximum of 200 feet.
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL (Based on Frontage)
$ 7.60 per foot of street frontage property located in central business/downtown district receiving street cleaning nightly.
$ 3.70 per foot of street frontage for property located in all areas receiving special thoroughfare street cleaning (at least once a week).
$ 2.89 per foot of street frontage for all other commercial and industrial property receiving regular street cleaning
$ 0.67 per foot of unpaved street frontage fro commercial and industrial property abutting unpaved streets to cover rubbish collection cost
If you have questions or need additional information about your bill, please call the Fulton County Customer Service center at (404) 730-6100. When calling please provide your name, property address and/or parcel identification number, and contact number or email address. If your inquiry results in the need to investigate your account, you are still required to pay your bill. A refund and/or adjusted bill will be provided after the inquiry if resolved.
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Q1. What is this bill for?
Q2. Is there a new rate?
Q3. When is my bill due?
Q4. Do you charge penalty and interest on late payments?
Q5. When I have a billing inquiry, what information is needed?
Q6. Can I pro-rate my bill for the time the house was not occupied?
Q7. Why is there a charge on a vacant lot?
Q8. Is there a number I can call about my solid waste service bill?
Q9. If I am a non-profit organization, do I still need to pay this bill?
Q10. Is there a number I can call about garbage pick-up service or to receive a “Herbie Curbie” trash container or recycling bin?
Q11. If the building is for public worship, do I still need to pay this bill?
Q12. What do I need to do if the property owner information on the bill is incorrect?
Q13. Do you have a disability discount?
Q14. How will the senior citizens discount be applied?
Q15. Am I still charged for solid waste service if my property is a vacant lot?
Q16. If I am renting the property to a tenant, who is responsible for paying this bill?
Q17. What do I need to provide if I think I am due a refund?
Q18. If eligible, how many years of refunds am I entitled?
Q19. How long will it take for me to get a refund?
Q20. Is there an exemption of the $30.00 recycling fee?
Back to City of Atlanta Finance
Q1. What is this bill for?
A. This bill covers solid waste collection and disposal, recycling and street maintenance for residential and only street maintenance for commercial accounts. Non-profits, charitable, and tax-exempt properties are billed for street cleaning and right-of-way maintenance
Q2. Is there a new rate?
There is no rate increase for 2008.
Q3. When is my bill due?
A. Solid waste service bills are mailed annually by Fulton and DeKalb CountyTax Commissioner’s Offices on or about July 1st and are due 45 days from mailing. Non-profit, charitable, and tax-exempt property bills will be mailed by the City of Atlanta between October 1-15th and are due 45 days from the date of the bill.
Q4. Do you charge penalty and interest on late payments?
A. Yes, a 10% penalty on all unpaid balances > 90 days delinquent plus 1% per month or 12% per annum on bills mailed by the Tax Commissioner’s Office.
Q5. When I have a billing inquiry, what information is needed?
A. Your name, property address, parcel ID or account number, a contact number or e-mail address.
Q6. Can I prorate my bill for the time the property was not occupied?
A. No. Services are rendered throughout the year on a continuous basis.
Q7. Why is there a charge on a vacant lot?
A. There is a charge for street maintenance that is based on the parcel type and zone, regardless of how the land is used. This charge covers street maintenance services which includes street cleaning, illegal dumping, dead animal removal, and other street related maintenance costs incurred by the City Public Works Department.
Q8. Is there a number I can call about my solid waste service bill?
A. If your account billing inquiry is regarding your current solid waste bill, please contact the appropriate office as indicated below:
The Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s Office can be reached at 404-730-6100.
The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office can be reached at 404-298-4000.
The City of Atlanta, Office of Revenue can be reached at 404-330-6270.
If your account inquiry is regarding 1999 through 2002 and has been referred to an outside collection agency, you should contact the collection agency at 678-816-2230.
If your account for the years of 1999 through 2002 has not been turned over to a collection agency, then please contact the City at 404-330-6270.
If you are a non-profit, charitable, or tax exempt organization in Fulton County please contact the City of Atlanta at 404-330-6270.
Q9. If I am a non-profit organization, do I still need to pay this bill?
A. Yes, non-profit organizations are not exempt from this fee.
Q10. Is there a number I can call about garbage pick-up service or to receive a “Herbie Curbie” trash container or recycling bin?
A. Yes. You can contact the Public Works Customer Call Center at 404-330-6333, fax your concern or request to 404-658-7704, or send an email to publicworks@atlantaga.gov.
Q11. If the building is for public worship, do I still need to pay this bill?
A. Yes. All properties in the City of Atlanta are assessed solid waste fees.
Q12. What do I need to do if the property owner information on the bill is incorrect?
A. Please contact the appropriate office as indicated below:
The Fulton County Tax Commissioner's number is 404-730-6100.
DeKalb County Tax Commissioner's number is 404-298-4000.
The City of Atlanta, Office of Revenue’s number is 404-330-6270.
Q13. Do you have a disability discount?
A. No, there is no disability discount.
Q14. How will the senior citizens discount be applied?
A. The county tax commissioner will administer future senior citizen discounts since the income and age requirements are the same as the property tax senior exemption. If you apply for the solid waste senior discount and meet the age and income requirement, which are similar to the property tax senior exemption, then you should qualify.
Q15. Am I still charged for solid waste service if my property is a vacant lot?
A. Yes. In this case, you are charged based on street frontage to cover street cleaning and maintenance costs. If the vacant property is zoned for residential, you are charged .94 cents per foot of paved street frontage or .67 cents per foot of unpaved street frontage.
Q16. If I am renting the property to a tenant, who is responsible for paying this bill?
A. The solid waste service charge is the responsibility of the property owner. Property owners who rent their properties should advise their tenants to immediately notify them upon receiving this important bill.
Q17. What do I need to provide if I think I am due a refund?
A. If you are requesting a refund due to an overpayment, you must provide a copy of the front and back of your cancelled check as proof of payment. If you reside in a multi-family unit we will also need to verify your time of residence in your unit.
Q18. If eligible, how many years of refunds am I entitled?
A. State law stipulates that the statute of limitation is four years. Therefore, the City can legally refund up to four years.
Q19. How long will it take for me to get a refund?
A. If we receive the requisite information on your account, it generally takes four to six weeks to process your refund. This process includes verifying your documentation and sending your request to accounts payable for check disbursement.
Q20. Is there an exemption of the $30.00 recycling fee?
A. Yes. Residential property owners who receive less than $8,000.00 of income per year are
exempted from this fee. For information on how to apply, please contact the Department of Public Works, Customer Service Call Center at 404-330-6333.
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The City of Atlanta Department of Public Works (DPW) Office of Solid Waste Services seeks to establishing long-term improvements in operations, resource management, customer service, and environmental sustainability.
Solid Waste Improvements
In an effort to streamline our service delivery efforts, we maintain:
Benefits to the City of Atlanta
These collection improvements will benefit citizens by:
Household Garbage Collection Guidelines
Curbside Recycling
Recycling collection is weekly on the same day as garbage collection. Please use a City-issued recycling bin or a larger bin clearly labeled "RECYLING".
Paper:
Glass
Cans
Plastics
Cardboard
All recyclables are placed together in the bin and are separated at the recycling processing facility.
To find recycling drop-off sites near your home or office, for items not accepted curbside, check out: www.earth911.com.
Yard Trimmings Collection Guidelines
Bulk Waste Collection Guidelines
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