Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Dalton
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Friday, based on your street's assigned route schedule.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once weekly on your assigned collection day in the city-provided blue bin.
Yard Waste
Yard trimmings and bulky refuse are collected every other week on an alternating bi-weekly schedule (North side one week, South side the next). Bulky refuse requires advance authorization via SeeClickFix.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Standard weekly residential trash collection (one 95-gallon rollout cart) and curbside recycling are provided to single-family homes at no direct monthly charge, funded through municipal city taxes.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person, Phone
Gray Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged and fit entirely inside the gray cart with the lid completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts (must be bagged)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. All boxes must be completely broken down and fit inside the blue bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed paper (newspaper, magazines, junk mail)
- ✓Broken down cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and bi-metal cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (must have a neck smaller than the base)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Wide-mouth plastic tubs
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled paper or pizza boxes
Yard Waste Bin
Limbs cannot exceed 8 feet in length or 100 pounds per piece. Maximum limit of 4 cubic yards per collection. Do not mix yard trimmings with household refuse.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every other week (alternating North and South zones)
Placement
Limit of 2 cubic yards (size of a long-bed pickup) free of charge. Place items at the curb no earlier than the evening before your scheduled and authorized pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ White goods (standard appliances)
- ✓ Bicycles
- ✓ Dried paint (in cans)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and remodeling debris
- ✕ Concrete, brick, or rock
- ✕ Wet/liquid paint
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous materials
Amounts exceeding the free 2-cubic-yard limit will be charged a fee of $30 per additional cubic yard.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collections scheduled on or after a major holiday generally shift to an adjacent day (e.g., Thursday collections move to Friday). Always verify with Public Works alerts on the city website.
Yard Waste Exception
Bi-weekly yard debris and bulk refuse routes may be delayed during holiday weeks due to adjusted household trash priorities.
DWSWA Convenience Centers and the Landfill close on all observed major holidays and typically close early on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Glass is Banned from the Blue Bin
Dalton removed glass from its curbside recycling program in 2019. Clear, brown, green, and blue glass bottles must now be taken directly to one of the DWSWA Convenience Centers.
The 'Neck Rule' for Plastics
Only recycle plastic containers where the neck is smaller than the base, such as soda, water, milk, and detergent jugs. Wide-mouth tubs, yogurt containers, and plastic cups will contaminate the load.
Keep Cardboard Contained
Never leave boxes on the ground. Cardboard left outside your blue bin will be ignored by sanitation crews. Use the city's designated cardboard dumpsters for overflow.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryAfter the holidays, Dalton partners with local businesses (often Home Depot) and the DWSWA to host specific drop-off events for live Christmas tree recycling and e-waste collection.
Spring
March to MaySpring remodeling season brings strict enforcement: construction and demolition debris (drywall, sinks, lumber, brick) is never accepted curbside. You must haul remodeling waste to the Old Dixie Hwy Landfill.
Summer
June to AugustFollowing summer thunderstorms, ensure storm debris meets the yard waste limits. Debris piles exceeding four cubic yards will trigger a surcharge of $30 per additional cubic yard.
About Dalton Waste Management
Curbside Collection in the Carpet Capital
The City of Dalton Public Works Department operates a comprehensive municipal waste program for single-family residences. Weekly collection includes a gray garbage cart and a blue recycling bin. To maintain Dalton's neighborhood aesthetics, the city strictly enforces rules regarding how and when items can be placed at the curb, especially for oversized items.
Mandatory Scheduling for Bulky Refuse
In a major 2020 policy shift, Dalton residents are now strictly prohibited from leaving bulky refuse out on the curb without prior authorization. To receive your free bi-weekly pickup limit of two cubic yards (about the size of a long-bed pickup truck), you must first schedule a collection via the SeeClickFix mobile app or by calling the Public Works Department directly.
The Zoned Every-Other-Week Approach
For yard trimmings and bulk waste, Dalton operates on a bi-weekly schedule divided geographically. The northern half of the city is serviced one week, while the southern half is serviced the next. While you must call ahead for bulky items, yard waste can be placed out on your designated week without a prior appointment, provided it meets the strict four-cubic-yard volume limit.
Dalton's Strict Cardboard Policy
Unlike many neighboring districts, the City of Dalton does not collect loose or stacked cardboard placed next to the recycling bin. All cardboard must be broken down and placed entirely inside the blue bin. For large moving boxes or overflow cardboard, residents must utilize one of six specific cardboard-only dumpsters stationed at locations like Heritage Point Park, Haig Mill Lake Park, and Dalton Fire Station Number 4.
Partnering with the DWSWA
While the city handles standard curbside pickups, the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority (DWSWA) manages the region's larger waste ecosystem. Dalton residents have access to four regional Convenience Centers, including the Old Dixie Hwy Landfill, which accept items banned from curbside bins such as tires, electronics, glass, and household hazardous waste.
Drop-off Facilities
Old Dixie Hwy. Landfill & Convenience Center
4189 Old Dixie Hwy. SE, Dalton, GA 30721
Materials Accepted
M.L. King Convenience Center
1924 M.L. King Jr. Blvd., Dalton, GA 30721
Materials Accepted
Westside Convenience Center
1536 Miracle Dr., Rocky Face, GA 30740
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Dalton?
You must authorize your bulk pickup in advance by calling the Dalton Public Works Department at 706-278-7077 or by submitting a request through the city's SeeClickFix mobile app. Collections are processed on an every-other-week schedule based on whether you live in the north or south side of the city.
Can I leave extra cardboard boxes next to my blue recycling bin?
No. Dalton's sanitation policy explicitly forbids leaving loose cardboard on the curb. All cardboard must be broken down and placed inside the blue bin. For large volumes, take your boxes to one of the six designated cardboard-only dumpsters located at places like Heritage Point Park or Haig Mill Lake Park.
Will the city pick up the debris from my bathroom remodel?
No. Dalton Public Works does not collect construction, demolition, or remodeling debris (including drywall, toilets, sinks, lumber, and concrete). The homeowner or contractor is responsible for hauling these materials directly to the Old Dixie Hwy. Landfill.
Where can I dispose of glass bottles and jars in Dalton?
Glass is no longer accepted in the curbside blue recycling bins. You can safely recycle clear, brown, green, and blue glass by taking it to any of the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority (DWSWA) Convenience Centers.