The Athens-Clarke County bulky waste program does not accept bagged trash, batteries, construction and demolition debris, hazardous materials, automotive parts, liquids, tires, or leaf and limb material even if these items are large. Placing any of these at the curb on your scheduled collection day will result in them being left behind, and repeat violations can draw attention from ACC Code Enforcement.
If you’re unsure what the city pickup will not take, this guide breaks it down category by category and tells you exactly where each item belongs.
What Are Prohibited Bulky Waste Items in Athens, GA?
Prohibited bulky waste items in Athens, GA, are materials explicitly excluded from the ACC Solid Waste Department’s Bulky Waste Collection Program. The program launched in November 2025 and is funded through property taxes; it covers large household items that don’t fit in standard roll carts. But that definition has firm boundaries.
Items the city pickup will not take under the bulky waste program:
- Bagged household trash
- Batteries (all types)
- Construction and demolition (C&D) debris, including pallets, drywall, lumber, tile, shingles, flooring, and concrete
- Hazardous materials
- Automotive components (tires, car parts, motor oil)
- Liquids of any kind
- Dead animals
- Leaf, limb, and yard waste
Each of these has a designated disposal path. Leaving them at the curb doesn’t make them disappear; it creates a code violation and contributes to the over $1 million in illegal dumping costs Athens-Clarke County absorbs annually.
Where Do Hazardous Waste Items Go in Athens, GA?
Hazardous waste in Athens, GA, belongs at the CHaRM Facility (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) located at 1005 College Ave, Athens, GA 30601. This is the designated drop-off for household hazardous waste, electronics, motor oil, and materials that cannot go in curbside bins or the landfill.
The facility charges a $3 per trip fee for ACC residents and $8 for those outside the county. Businesses must schedule an appointment by calling 706-296-7832. CHaRM also accepts old cooking grease from residents for free, a separate service from hazardous waste drop-off.
Items accepted at CHaRM include paint, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, electronics, and stretchy film plastics. If it’s on the prohibited list and you’re not sure where it goes, CHaRM is typically the answer.
Does Athens Bulky Waste Pickup Accept Construction Debris?
No construction and demolition material is explicitly excluded from both the bulky waste program and standard curbside collection in Athens. This includes anything removed during a home renovation: cabinetry, carpets, carpet padding, concrete, doors, flooring, lumber, plywood, sheetrock, shingles, tile, toilets, and wood scraps.
C&D debris must either be taken directly to the Athens-Clarke County Landfill (which accepts it separately from municipal solid waste) or hauled by a licensed junk removal or demolition service. The landfill is located at the Solid Waste facility on 725 Hancock Industrial Way, Athens, GA 30605. Note that the landfill reserves the right to refuse loads, so call ahead at 706-613-3508 if you’re uncertain about a specific material.
What Happens To Tires, Car Parts, And Automotive Waste In Athens?
Automotive components, including tires, are among the items the city pickup will not take under any service level. This applies to standard curbside collection, overflow decals, and the bulky waste program.
Tires must be taken to a licensed tire retailer or automotive shop for disposal. Used motor oil can be dropped at CHaRM. Other automotive parts should be taken to a scrap metal recycler or a private junk removal company operating in Athens, GA.
Can You Put Yard Waste Out with Bulky Items In Athens?
No. Leaf, limb, and yard debris is separately managed and cannot be combined with bulky waste items at the curb. Athens-Clarke County handles yard waste through its own collection schedule. Residents should contact the ACC Solid Waste Department directly at 706-613-3501, option 7, to confirm yard waste pickup schedules and guidelines in their area.
How to Schedule An Athens Bulky Waste Pickup For Accepted Items
For items that are accepted, such as sofas, mattresses, appliances, and other large household goods, the program provides up to 5 items per pickup, with 4 scheduled pickups per year (20 items annually) at no charge. After four pickups, fees apply on a cost-of-service basis starting at $50 per trip.
To schedule, contact Maximus operations, Junk Removal, Athens, GA
Items must be placed curbside no earlier than 24 hours before pickup and no later than 7:00 AM on collection day. They must not block fire hydrants, driveways, mailboxes, or sidewalks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put batteries in my bulky waste pickup in Athens?
No. Batteries are prohibited and must be taken to CHaRM at 1005 College Ave or a retailer that accepts battery recycling.
Will ACC pick up renovation debris from my curb?
No. Construction and demolition material requires a separate landfill drop-off or private hauler; it is never accepted curbside.
Where do I take hazardous household chemicals in Athens, GA?
Drop them off at the CHaRM Facility, 1005 College Ave. There’s a $3 fee per trip for ACC residents.
What if I’m not sure whether my item qualifies as bulky waste?
Call ACC Solid Waste at 706-613-3501, option 7, before placing anything at the curb.
Does Athens pick up tires?
No. Tires are excluded from all ACC collection services. Take them to a tire shop or licensed disposal facility.