Marietta Regular Trash Pickup Services

Coordinating Regular Trash Pickup with Marietta's Public Works Department

Marietta's Department of Public Works oversees residential sanitation services, including weekly curbside trash collection for households within city limits. Residents must adhere to specific preparation and placement guidelines to ensure efficient pickup and avoid code enforcement citations. Key requirements include:

• Cart placement: Roll carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on the scheduled collection day with lids fully closed
• Cart positioning: Carts should face the street with handles pointing toward the residence, at least 3 feet from mailboxes, vehicles, and other obstructions
• Prohibited overflow: Trash must not extend above the cart lid; loose bags placed beside the cart may not be collected
• Cart maintenance: Damaged or missing carts should be reported to Public Works for replacement
• Collection delays: Inclement weather or city holidays may shift pickup by one day; residents should monitor city announcements

Residents who need to confirm their designated collection day or report a missed pickup can contact the department directly.

Marietta Public Works Department
205 Lawrence Street, Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: (770) 794-5530
Official Website: Marietta Public Works Department

Prohibited Materials and Hazardous Waste Restrictions for Marietta Curbside Collection

Regular trash pickup in Marietta does not accept all waste types. Certain materials are banned from curbside collection under both municipal ordinance and Georgia state law, enforced by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Placing prohibited items in residential carts can result in collection refusal and potential code violations. Materials excluded from regular trash pickup include:

• Hazardous household waste: Paints, solvents, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, and cleaning chemicals
• Electronics (e-waste): Televisions, computer monitors, and other electronic devices should be taken to designated recycling drop-off events
• Appliances containing refrigerants: Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning units require certified refrigerant recovery per EPA Section 608 regulations before disposal
• Automotive batteries and tires: Lead-acid batteries must be recycled through retail takeback programs; tires are banned from standard landfill disposal in Georgia
• Medical waste and sharps: Needles and biohazard materials require specialized disposal through approved medical waste handlers
• Construction debris: Lumber, drywall, concrete, and renovation materials exceed standard residential collection parameters

Cobb County periodically hosts Household Hazardous Waste collection events where Marietta residents can dispose of restricted chemicals and materials at no charge. Check with Cobb County Solid Waste for upcoming event dates and accepted items.

Georgia Solid Waste Management Act Compliance for Marietta Residents

Georgia's Solid Waste Management Act (O.C.G.A. § 12-8-20 et seq.) establishes the regulatory framework governing waste collection, disposal, and recycling across all municipalities, including Marietta. The Act requires local governments to develop and maintain comprehensive solid waste management plans that address waste reduction, collection infrastructure, and landfill diversion. Marietta residents should be aware of the following state-level requirements:

• Solid waste management plan: Marietta operates under the Cobb County Joint Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, updated on a ten-year cycle as mandated by state law
• Illegal dumping penalties: Georgia law imposes fines and potential criminal charges for improper disposal of waste on public or private property
• Yard waste separation: Leaves, grass clippings, and brush must be separated from household trash and placed in designated yard waste containers or bags
• Recycling participation: While Georgia does not mandate curbside recycling statewide, Marietta encourages participation in available recycling programs to support landfill diversion goals

Marietta's Environmental Compliance division monitors adherence to stormwater protection and pollution prevention standards that intersect with proper waste handling practices.

Marietta Environmental Compliance Division
205 Lawrence Street, Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: (770) 794-5530
Official Website: Marietta Environmental Compliance

Recycling and Yard Waste Separation Requirements in Marietta's Collection Program

Proper sorting of recyclables and yard waste is essential to Marietta's waste diversion efforts and compliance with the city's solid waste management plan. Residents receive separate carts for recycling and yard debris, and contamination of these streams can result in entire loads being redirected to the landfill. Marietta's recycling program accepts the following materials in the designated cart:

• Paper and cardboard: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, flattened cardboard boxes, and paperboard
• Plastics: Bottles and containers marked with recycling symbols #1 through #7; no plastic bags, film, or Styrofoam
• Metals: Aluminum cans, steel and tin cans; no scrap metal or wire hangers
• Glass: Bottles and jars (clear, green, and brown); no window glass, mirrors, or ceramics

Yard waste must be placed separately from household trash and recyclables. Branches should be cut to lengths no longer than 4 feet and bundled. Leaves and grass clippings should be placed in paper yard waste bags or the designated yard waste cart. Mixing yard waste with regular trash may result in collection refusal. For questions about accepted materials, residents may contact the Marietta Public Works Department.

Code Enforcement and Proper Cart Storage Between Marietta Collection Days

Marietta's code enforcement division, operating under the Community Development Department, enforces ordinances related to trash cart storage, property cleanliness, and waste-related nuisances. Violations can result in written warnings and escalating fines. Residents should observe the following regulations between collection days:

• Cart storage: Trash and recycling carts must be removed from the curb and stored behind the front building line or screened from public view within 24 hours of collection
• Litter and debris: Property owners are responsible for keeping sidewalks, curbs, and rights-of-way adjacent to their property free of litter and scattered waste
• Bulk items: Large items such as furniture, appliances, and mattresses may not be placed curbside outside of scheduled bulk collection windows; contact Public Works to arrange pickup
• Animal-proof measures: Carts must remain closed to prevent wildlife from scattering waste; persistent issues may require securing lids with bungee cords or weighted clips
• Overflowing carts: Chronic overflow may indicate the need for an additional cart; residents can request supplemental service through the Public Works Department

Marietta Community Development Department
205 Lawrence Street, Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: (770) 794-5564
Official Website: Marietta Community Development

What Neighborhoods Do We Serve Throughout Marietta, GA?

• Marietta Square / Historic District: Older homes and mixed-use properties near the downtown square may have narrow driveways and limited curb space for cart placement. Historic district guidelines may affect the visibility of stored waste containers from the street.
• East Side: A mix of single-family residences and multi-family housing with varying lot sizes. Multi-family complexes may use shared collection points rather than individual curbside carts, requiring coordination with property management.
• West Side / Franklin Gateway: This corridor includes commercial properties and higher-density residential developments. Residents in apartment communities should confirm whether trash service is provided by the city or a private hauler contracted by the property owner.
• Whitlock Avenue Corridor: Established residential neighborhoods with mature tree canopy and on-street parking. Cart placement may require positioning away from parked vehicles and low-hanging branches that could obstruct collection trucks.
• Powder Springs Road Area: Suburban single-family neighborhoods with wide driveways and consistent curbside access. Standard cart placement guidelines apply; yard waste volume tends to be higher due to larger lot sizes.
• South Marietta / Austell Road: A transitioning area with both older residential properties and newer commercial development. Residents in recently annexed areas should verify their collection schedule and service provider through the Public Works Department.
• Northwest Marietta / Dallas Highway: Newer subdivisions with HOA-governed communities that may impose additional restrictions on cart storage locations and collection-day visibility. Residents should review HOA covenants alongside city ordinances to ensure compliance.