Atlanta Bulk Waste Disposal Guide
Find out where to dispose of couches, yard waste and other bulky debris in the city of Atlanta.
Need to get rid of unusual or oversized materials in The A? Whether you’re dealing with a mattress, couch, broken electronics or even hazardous waste, there’s a proper way to handle it. We’ll walk you through your options item-by-item and link you to the disposal services that provide safe, legal waste management in the Atlanta area.
Use the buttons to jump to a specific Atlanta disposal option:
How to Get Rid of 6 Common Items in Atlanta
Not sure what to do with that old box spring, broken TV or empty fuel container? You’re not alone. Disposing of a large or unusual item in Atlanta depends on what it is, what condition it’s in and which services you have access to. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about bulky waste disposal.
How Do I Dispose of Furniture in Atlanta?
Couches, tables and other bulky furniture can be donated, picked up using Atlanta's free bulk pickup service, thrown in a dumpster or dumped at the landfill.
Atlanta Solid Waste Services offers free bulk item pickup and several local donation centers, like the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, accept gently used pieces. If donation or pickup isn’t feasible, you can also bring furniture to a landfill or transfer station or rent a dumpster to save yourself the trip. Whether you’re throwing out a single piece or preparing for a full remodeling project, these solutions make furniture removal easy.
Where Should I Take Compost and Bulk Landscaping Debris?
If you're clearing organic debris, trimming trees or replacing mulch, Atlanta offers several options for disposal:
- Place small branches, leaves and plants in a marked paper bag at the curb along with your regular trash.
- Request a bulk pickup for bigger items like stumps or branches more than 4 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter.
- Drop off large loads at Hartsfield Landfill at 2175 James Jackson Parkway.
- Consider renting a dumpster to manage heavy loads like dirt, gravel or mulch in one go.
Where Can I Throw Away a Mattress in Atlanta?
Mattress disposal doesn’t have to be a hassle. Check the condition of the mattress you're tossing and choose from the options below.
- Request a pickup through the city’s free bulk waste program, then simply leave the mattress on the sidewalk the night before pickup.
- If the mattress is in decent shape, consider taking it to one of the local donation centers instead.
- For worn out mattresses, a trip to a landfill or the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials will ensure a safe disposal.
- Tossing multiple mattresses and box springs? A dumpster rental is a great way to get rid of it all in one go.
What Can I Do With E-Waste in Atlanta?
Landfills in Atlanta typically don’t accept old electronics, so you’ll have more luck with a certified e-waste recycler. Local facilities like Ecycle Atlanta, Intonu Recycling and Atlanta Green Recycling take a wide range of electronics, including computers, laptops, servers, routers and hard drives. Some recyclers may not accept TVs, home appliances or batteries so it’s a good idea to check each facility’s list of accepted materials before dropping off your items.
Where Can I Bring Scrap Metal in Atlanta?
If you have scrap metal to toss in Atlanta, several local recycling centers make it easy to donate or sell both ferrous and nonferrous metals, including steel, wrought iron and aluminum. Facilities like M&M Recycling, SA Recycling and Intonu Recycling specialize in metal recovery, offering a responsible way to repurpose old materials. Keep in mind that most scrapyards won’t accept items like hazardous waste, damaged batteries, chain link fencing and gas or propane containers. Always check each location’s guidelines to ensure your materials are eligible for drop-off.
How Do I Dispose of Hazardous Waste in Atlanta?
Hazardous waste disposal calls for special handling to protect both the environment and public health. In Atlanta, you can place some types of hazardous waste at the street on your regular waste collection schedule. Review the city’s guidelines for safe disposal of items like empty paint cans and fuel containers. For other materials, including chemicals, batteries and medical waste, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM). This facility processes hazardous materials properly and ensures that they don’t enter the regular waste stream.
Atlanta Bulk Disposal Options
1. City-Provided Curbside Pickup
Arranging a bulk city pickup in Atlanta is fast and convenient. Simply submit a special collection request and the city handles the rest. From furniture removal to mattress disposal, this service makes it easy to get rid of two or three oversized items up to 12 times per year.
Accepted Items:
- White goods (washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove)
- Toilets
- Couches
- Mattresses
- Bedroom set (dresser, nightstand, chest of drawers, mattress)
- Tables
- Chairs
- Bulk yard waste
Prohibited Items:
- Tires
- Motor vehicle parts
- Building material/construction debris (sheetrock, metal and concrete)
2. Local Donation Centers
Looking to give your gently used couch, recliner, table or even an old oven a second life? These Atlanta donation centers collect recyclable materials and help them find a new home. Explore the options below to find the best fit for your items and keep reusable materials out of the landfill. Most locations offer both donation pickup and drop-off options.
- Drop-off locations:
- 160 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 | (404) 917-1684
- 888 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 | (404) 755-6440
- 1460 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 367-0077
- 1589 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 | (404) 249-9736
- Accepted Items:
- Furniture
- Small appliances
- Household waste
- Sporting equipment
- Rugs
- Bicycles
- Prohibited Items:
- Anything that’s ripped, damaged or broken
- Carpet
- Swing sets
- Mattresses
- Box springs
- Wall cabinets
- Tires
- Large appliances
- Chemicals
3. Atlanta-Area Recycling Facilities
Recycling in Atlanta goes beyond curbside bins. Residents have two main options to responsibly handle items that can’t go in the trash. From electronics and household chemicals to appliances, clothing and even tires, recycling reusable materials can be just as easy (or easier) than a trip to the dump.
- Drop-off locations:
- 1110 Hill St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 | (404) 600-6386
- 1225 Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30032 | (404) 600-6386
- Accepted Materials Include:
- Batteries (no alkaline or car batteries accepted)
- Bulbs, CFL and fluorescent
- Chemicals (no industrial or lab chemicals accepted)
- Cooking oil
- Electronics
- Large appliances
- TVs (no rear projection)
- Glass, flat (microwave plate, picture frame, shower door, candle jars with wax removed, wine glasses, vases but no mirrors)
- Box springs
- Mattresses (must have springs, no foam mattresses)
- Paint, latex and oil
- Tires (car/small truck, no rims)
- Restrictions:
- No refrigerators, humidifiers, wine coolers
- No mirrors
- No wheel rims
4. Rent a Dumpster in Atlanta
When you’re dealing with a large amount of bulky waste, like furniture, yard debris or junk from a household cleanout, an Atlanta dumpster rental is often the most efficient solution. It gives you the space to toss everything at once, without worrying about city pickup limits or multiple trips to a drop-off site. Check dumpster prices in Atlanta and reserve your bin today online or by phone.
- 10 cubic yards: Great for small cleanouts or light remodeling projects.
- 12 cubic yards: Ideal for minor home renovations and decluttering jobs.
- 15 cubic yards: Perfect for mid-sized cleanouts and yard debris removal.
- 20 cubic yards: A popular choice for home remodeling and bulky items.
- 30 cubic yards: Best for major renovations, large cleanouts or estate projects.
- 40 cubic yards: Ideal for large-scale renovations, demolitions or construction jobs.
Atlanta Landfills and Transfer Stations
If donating, recycling or renting a dumpster isn’t the right fit, landfills and transfer stations offer a dependable last-stop option for bulky waste. These sites are built to handle the kinds of debris that can’t be reused or recycled. The list below outlines the active facilities in metro Atlanta, including what they accept and who can use them.
Name & Location | Accepted Waste Types | Area Served |
|---|---|---|
Gateway Transfer Station 1625 Westgate Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30336 | Municipal solid waste, yard waste, construction & demolition debris | Metro Atlanta general public |
Doraville Transfer Station 2784 Woodwin Rd, Doraville, GA 30360 | Residential & commercial solid waste, yard debris; municipal and C&D waste | Metro Atlanta |
Merk Miles Citizens Convenience Center | Residential solid waste, bulky items, electronics, paper, fluids (recyclables only); no charge for residents | Fulton County / South Fulton |
DeKalb Central Transfer Station 3720 Leroy Scott Dr, Decatur, GA 30032 | Commercial municipal solid waste and yard trimmings only | DeKalb County (commercial only) |
Seminole Road Landfill 4203 Clevemont Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294 | Household waste, furniture, appliances, tires (up to 10), electronics, scrap metal, paint, oil | DeKalb County residents |
Need a Simple Way to Toss It All?
When city drop-offs and donation centers don’t cut it, renting a dumpster is the easiest way to clear all your debris at once. From basement cleanouts in Buckhead to Midtown remodels, we deliver the right container straight to you. Check your price online and rent a dumpster in Atlanta today.