Dunwoody Regular Trash Pickup Services

Coordinating Weekly Trash Collection with Dunwoody's Designated Hauler Requirements

Dunwoody operates as an incorporated city within DeKalb County, and residential trash pickup is managed through a contracted sanitation hauler rather than a city-operated fleet. Residents must adhere to specific collection guidelines established by the city and its authorized waste service provider. Understanding these requirements ensures compliance and uninterrupted service.

• Collection frequency: Residential trash is collected once per week on an assigned day based on neighborhood zone
• Cart placement: Roll carts must be placed curbside by 6:00 AM on collection day and removed by the end of the same day
• Cart positioning: Carts should face the street with lids closed, placed at least 3 feet from mailboxes, vehicles, and other obstructions
• Prohibited overflow: Trash must fit inside the provided cart with the lid fully closed; loose bags placed beside the cart may not be collected
• Holiday delays: Collection schedules shift by one day following observed holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

Residents experiencing missed pickups should contact the contracted hauler directly. For service disputes or ongoing issues, the Dunwoody Public Works Department serves as the municipal oversight authority.

Dunwoody Public Works Department
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Phone: (678) 382-6850
Official Website: Dunwoody Public Works Department

Prohibited Materials and Hazardous Waste Restrictions for Dunwoody Curbside Trash

Regular curbside trash collection in Dunwoody does not accept all waste types. Georgia's solid waste regulations, administered by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD), establish categories of materials that require separate handling and cannot enter the municipal solid waste stream.

• Hazardous household waste: Paints, solvents, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, and pool chemicals are prohibited from curbside carts
• Electronics: Televisions, computer monitors, and other electronic devices should be directed to DeKalb County's designated e-waste collection events
• Appliances with refrigerants: Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning units require refrigerant recovery under EPA Section 608 regulations before disposal
• Batteries: Lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries must be recycled through retail takeback programs or county hazardous waste collection
• Medical sharps: Needles and syringes require puncture-proof containers and must be taken to approved drop-off locations
• Tires: Not accepted curbside; must be taken to licensed tire recyclers or DeKalb County facilities

DeKalb County periodically hosts Household Hazardous Waste collection events open to Dunwoody residents. These events accept paints, chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, and other restricted materials at no charge with proof of residency.

Dunwoody's Recycling Mandates and Curbside Sorting Requirements

Recycling collection in Dunwoody operates alongside regular trash pickup, typically on the same weekly schedule. The city's sustainability goals, guided by the Dunwoody Sustainability Committee, emphasize landfill diversion through proper sorting and participation in the single-stream recycling program.

• Accepted recyclables: Cardboard, paper, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, and plastics numbered 1 through 7
• Preparation requirements: All containers must be rinsed clean; cardboard should be flattened to fit inside the recycling cart
• Contamination prohibited: Food-soiled paper, plastic bags, Styrofoam, and garden hoses must not be placed in recycling carts
• Cart usage: Recyclables must be placed loose inside the cart—not bagged—to allow proper processing at the materials recovery facility
• Yard waste separation: Grass clippings, leaves, and branches must be collected separately from both trash and recycling; branches should be cut to lengths not exceeding 4 feet and bundled

Contaminated recycling loads may be rejected at the processing facility, resulting in the entire cart being treated as landfill waste. Residents should consult the hauler's guidelines for updated accepted materials lists.

Dunwoody Sustainability Committee
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Phone: (678) 382-6700
Official Website: Dunwoody Sustainability Committee

Georgia Solid Waste Management Act Compliance for Dunwoody Residents

All waste disposal activities in Dunwoody must comply with the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act (O.C.G.A. § 12-8-20), which establishes statewide standards for collection, transportation, and disposal of municipal solid waste. The Act requires local governments to maintain solid waste management plans and meet waste reduction goals.

• Waste reduction mandate: Georgia's statewide goal targets a 25% reduction in per capita solid waste disposal through recycling, composting, and source reduction
• Illegal dumping penalties: Disposing of household trash in unauthorized locations—including vacant lots, roadsides, or storm drains—violates state law and may result in fines up to $1,000 per occurrence for individuals
• Hauler licensing: All commercial waste haulers operating within Dunwoody must maintain proper licensing and insurance as required by both city ordinance and state regulation
• Stormwater protection: Improperly stored or disposed trash that enters the stormwater system violates both state and federal Clean Water Act provisions

The Dunwoody Stormwater Division monitors compliance with pollution prevention requirements related to waste storage and disposal near drainage infrastructure.

Georgia Environmental Protection Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 1456, Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: (404) 656-4713
Official Website: Georgia Environmental Protection Division

Dunwoody Code Enforcement and Proper Trash Storage on Residential Properties

The Dunwoody Community Development Department enforces property maintenance codes that directly affect how residents store and present trash for collection. Violations related to waste storage can result in code enforcement actions, including written notices and potential fines.

• Cart storage: Trash carts must be stored behind the front building line or screened from public view when not placed curbside for collection
• Collection window: Carts may be placed at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM the evening before the scheduled collection day and must be retrieved by the end of collection day
• Bulk items: Large items such as furniture, appliances, and mattresses require separate scheduling with the hauler and cannot be left curbside outside of approved pickup windows
• Accumulation prohibited: Excessive accumulation of trash, debris, or junk on residential properties constitutes a code violation subject to enforcement action
• Animal-proof storage: Residents in areas prone to wildlife interference should secure cart lids to prevent scattering of waste

Persistent violations may be reported to code enforcement through the city's online service request system or by contacting the Community Development Department directly.

Dunwoody Community Development Department
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Phone: (678) 382-6800
Official Website: Dunwoody Community Development

What Neighborhoods Do We Serve Throughout Dunwoody, GA?

• Georgetown: This established single-family neighborhood features wide residential streets with straightforward curbside access. Mature tree canopy may occasionally interfere with cart placement near the curb, requiring residents to position carts in clear sightlines for collection vehicles.
• Dunwoody Village: A mixed residential and commercial area centered around the historic village district. Residents in adjacent townhome communities should confirm cart placement locations with their HOA, as shared driveways and limited frontage may restrict standard curbside positioning.
• Winters Chapel: This neighborhood includes a mix of older single-family homes and multi-family complexes. Multi-family residents should verify whether trash collection is managed individually or through a property-level commercial hauler contract.
• Branches: A subdivision with cul-de-sac layouts and narrow turning radii that may affect collection truck routing. Residents should avoid placing carts in locations that obstruct vehicle turnaround areas.
• Jett Ferry: Predominantly single-family homes with consistent lot sizes and reliable curbside access. Yard waste volume tends to be higher in this area due to larger landscaped properties, requiring adherence to separate yard waste collection schedules.
• Perimeter Center: This high-density commercial and residential corridor includes condominiums and apartment complexes that typically operate under commercial waste hauler contracts rather than the city's residential collection program. Residents should confirm service arrangements with property management.