Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for St. Marys
Trash Day
Curbside trash is collected once per week, Tuesday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected every other week on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Collected once weekly on Mondays.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential garbage and water/sewer services are billed together on your monthly city utility statement, mailed on the 1st and due on the 20th.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, In Person
96-gallon Roll Cart Bin (Trash)
Place carts 1-4 feet from the curb and at least 6 feet away from other containers or obstacles. Must be out by 7:00 AM on collection day and removed by noon the following day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
64-gallon Roll Cart Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loose in the cart. NEVER use plastic bags. Only the contractor-furnished 64-gallon cart is allowed for recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Plastic containers (rigid)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles
- ✕Plastic bags and plastic wrap
- ✕Pet food bags
- ✕Food and liquids
- ✕Tissues or paper towels
- ✕Latex or hygiene products
Yard Waste Bin
Piles must not exceed 5 cubic yards. Branches over 4 inches thick must be cut to 8-foot lengths. Logs over 6 inches thick must be cut to 4-foot lengths.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Weeds and leaves
- ✓Tree and shrubbery pruning
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (On your regular trash day)
Placement
Place items by the curb by 7:00 AM on your regular collection day. Keep them completely separate from your trash and recycling carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Other large items that don't fit in the standard roll cart
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Concrete or tree stumps
- ✕ Batteries and hazardous materials
- ✕ Liquid paint and pesticides
- ✕ Helium, propane, or gas tanks
- ✕ Motor oil and vehicle parts
This weekly service is provided free of charge to all St. Marys residents with an active utility account.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular service day falls on or after an observed holiday, collections will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Wednesday pickups move to Thursday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste services may also experience delays or localized suspensions during major holiday weeks depending on landfill operating hours.
Holidays falling on weekends generally do not disrupt the Monday-Friday collection schedule. Always check the city's official notices for specific holiday adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of Recycling
St. Marys does not accept glass of any kind in the recycling program. All glass jars, bottles, and broken mirrors must be safely discarded into your standard 96-gallon trash cart.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Bagged recycling is treated as garbage and sent directly to the landfill. Dump all your approved cans, plastics, and cardboard loose directly into your 64-gallon cart.
No Pet Food Bags
Heavy-duty pet food bags often contain mixed materials and unrecyclable plastic liners. Keep them out of the recycling bin to prevent whole loads from being rejected at the sorting facility.
Seasonal Information
Summer/Fall
June - NovemberDuring the Atlantic hurricane season, uncollected yard debris and empty carts can become dangerous projectiles. If a tropical storm threatens Camden County, secure your carts indoors and do not place new 5-cubic-yard debris piles by the road.
Spring
March - MayAs the South Georgia growing season accelerates, remember that weekly yard waste limits still apply. If you hire a commercial landscaper for a major spring cleanup, they are legally responsible for hauling away the debris, not the city.
Winter
December - JanuaryWith the Camden County Landfill closing for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, curbside pickups typically shift one day late during holiday weeks. Break down all cardboard gift boxes completely to ensure they fit loosely in your 64-gallon cart.
About St. Marys Waste Management
Reliable Waste Collection with Cumberland Services
The City of St. Marys partners exclusively with Cumberland Services to manage residential solid waste. Every active utility customer is provided with a heavy-duty 96-gallon roll cart for household garbage and a distinct 64-gallon cart dedicated entirely to recycling. To ensure smooth automated collections, residents must place carts 1 to 4 feet from the curbside, keeping a minimum distance of 6 feet between the carts and any obstacles like mailboxes or fences.
New Weekly Bulk Trash Convenience
In a major upgrade to local waste services, St. Marys recently transitioned to a weekly bulk item pickup system. Instead of waiting for special events or scheduling on-call appointments, residents can now place large furniture and appliances at the curb on the exact same day as their regular household trash collection. If an item violates safety guidelines and cannot be loaded, crews will attach a standardized placard to the mailbox or bin detailing the exact rejection code.
Coastal Georgia Yard Waste Guidelines
Maintaining lawns in Camden County's warm, humid climate produces significant yard debris. Fortunately, St. Marys offers weekly curbside yard waste collection. While leaves and small trimmings do not need to be bagged, piles are strictly limited to 5 cubic yards per residence. For heavier vegetation, homeowners must cut branches over four inches thick into eight-foot sections, and any logs thicker than six inches must be chopped down to four-foot lengths.
Strict Recycling Protocols to Protect Local Waterways
St. Marys takes contamination seriously to protect local ecosystems. Only clean paper, cardboard, metal cans, and specific plastic containers belong in the 64-gallon recycling cart. Items must always be deposited loosely—bagging recyclables is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, glass, plastic wrap, and pet food bags are banned from the recycling stream, as they jam processing machinery or introduce unwanted moisture and pests.
Combating Illegal Dumping in St. Marys
Code Compliance closely monitors the city streets to prevent unsightly illegal dumping. Putting out prohibited items like construction materials, wet paint, or vehicle parts on the curb outside of the proper bulk waste guidelines is considered an ordinance violation. Placing unauthorized debris by the side of the road can result in a hefty $1,000 fine, so it is imperative to use the nearby Camden County Landfill for unaccepted waste.
Drop-off Facilities
Camden County MSW Landfill & C&D Site
2750 Georgia Highway 110 (MSW) / 1600 GA Hwy 110 (C&D), Folkston, GA 31537
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the trash collector for St. Marys, GA?
The City of St. Marys contracts with Cumberland Services to provide residential garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection for all active utility accounts.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress in St. Marys?
St. Marys now offers weekly bulk waste collection. You can place your old couch, mattress, or household appliances on the curb by 7:00 AM on the same day as your regular trash pickup. No scheduling is required.
Why didn't my bulk items get picked up?
If an item is unaccepted (such as construction debris, wet paint, or hazardous materials), Cumberland Services will leave a placard on your cart or mailbox with a code explaining why the item was rejected.
Are plastic bags allowed in the St. Marys recycling bins?
No. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited in the 64-gallon recycling carts. All acceptable recyclables must be placed loose in the cart. Glass is also not accepted and must go in the regular trash.