Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Valdosta
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, according to your neighborhood's designated collection route.
Recycling
No curbside collection; residents can drop off recyclables at the City Recycling Center (3130 Val Tech Road) Tuesday through Saturday.
Yard Waste
Collected once per week on the same designated day as your household garbage.
Set Out Time
Between 12:00 PM the day before and no later than 5:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Sanitation and trash collection fees are bundled and billed monthly on your municipal utility statement alongside water, wastewater, and stormwater fees.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto Debit, Bank Bill Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person / Drive-thru, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Free walk-up service is available for elderly residents or individuals with physical disabilities who have no able-bodied household members; no billing discounts are listed.
Green Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged. The cart lid must be completely closed—overfilled cans will be bypassed. Carts must be placed at the curb by 5:00 AM on the designated pickup day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard household refuse
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items should be placed loosely in the bin. Do not bag recyclables. Clean and dry all containers before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Newspaper and mixed paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Food-soiled paper (e.g., pizza boxes)
- ✕Household garbage
Yard Waste Bin
Must be ready by 5:00 AM. Limbs cannot exceed 35 pounds. Leaves must be in a separate pile from branches. Keep away from hydrants, utility boxes, and parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Plant clippings
- ✓Tree limbs (under 6 ft long and 4 inches diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your designated service day
Placement
Place items safely at the curb by 5:00 AM. Do not cover fire hydrants, water meters, or place items under low-hanging tree branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires (must be taken to tire businesses)
- ✕ Batteries
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Free for piles 4x8x5 ft or less. Piles larger than 4x8x5 ft incur a $45 fee, and piles up to 6x10 ft incur a $90 fee, which is added to your utility bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Public Works Department is closed on major holidays. Garbage, bulk items, and yard waste collections scheduled for the holiday are typically delayed and picked up on the next available business day.
Yard Waste Exception
During holiday weeks, yard waste is collected on a delayed schedule to prioritize the collection of putrescible household garbage.
The city often issues early closures for offices (e.g., closing at noon on Christmas Eve), but always check the city's official holiday calendar for exact route shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Close the Lid or Face a Fee
Valdosta sanitation trucks will bypass any green trash cart if the lid is propped open by garbage. If you require a special second trip because your cart was overfilled, the city charges a $15 return fee.
Keep Piles Purely Organic
Never mix household garbage, plastic bags, or construction debris into your yard waste piles. Contaminated yard waste will not be collected as standard debris and will require a special bulk pickup subject to fees.
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Do not bag your recyclables in plastic grocery bags, and do not throw loose plastic bags into the recycling cart. They tangle the sorting machinery. Return plastic bags to designated drop-offs at local grocery stores.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March to MayDuring peak spring yard cleanup, ensure your debris piles do not exceed 4x8x5 feet. If your pile is larger, you will automatically be assessed a $45 or $90 fee directly to your water bill.
Summer
June to SeptemberFollowing severe summer thunderstorms or hurricanes, yard waste collection usually operates on a delayed schedule. Ensure limbs downed by storms meet the 6-foot length and 35-pound weight limits.
Winter
December to JanuaryDuring the winter holiday season, large volumes of cardboard are generated. Flatten all cardboard completely to maximize space in your recycling cart and prevent the lid from propping open.
About Valdosta Waste Management
Comprehensive Sanitation Services for Azalea City Residents
The City of Valdosta Public Works Department provides an extensive residential sanitation program to keep the Azalea City clean and beautiful. Servicing thousands of households weekly through highly efficient, geographically compact routing, the city ensures that household garbage, recycling, yard debris, and bulk items are all addressed safely. Residents play a critical role in this system by adhering to exact curbside placement rules and proper waste separation.
Strict Roll-Out Cart Policies and Overfill Rules
Valdosta has implemented strict regulations regarding the 96-gallon green garbage carts to protect both sanitation workers and the environment. All household trash must fit entirely inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Carts that are overfilled, propped open, or contain protruding items present a safety hazard and will not be serviced. For households generating extra waste, a secondary authorized city container can be requested for an $8 monthly fee.
Navigating Single-Stream Recycling Requirements
Valdosta encourages waste diversion through its recycling program. Acceptable items include clean cardboard, mixed paper, aluminum cans, and rigid plastic bottles or jugs. It is vital to prepare these materials correctly by flattening boxes and rinsing out food residue. Residents must explicitly keep plastic grocery bags and styrofoam products out of their recycling bins, as these materials cause severe jams at the processing facility.
Yard Debris and Brush Preparation Guidelines
Due to South Georgia's lush climate, managing organic waste is a major part of Valdosta's public works efforts. The city provides curbside yard waste collection, but debris must be prepared precisely. Tree trunks cannot exceed 6 feet in length or 4 inches in diameter, and limbs must weigh under 35 pounds. Additionally, residents must separate leaves into distinct piles away from heavy branches and ensure piles never block fire hydrants or water meters.
Managing Heavy Bulk Trash and Associated Fees
Disposing of old furniture or appliances in Valdosta is highly convenient thanks to the city's automatic curbside bulk pickup service. Piles measuring 4 feet by 8 feet by 5 feet or less are collected entirely free of charge on your designated service day. However, residents generating massive cleanout piles should be aware that excessive dimensions trigger direct-to-bill fees ranging from $45 to over $90.
Drop-off Facilities
Valdosta Public Works Department
1017 Myrtle Street, Valdosta, GA 31601
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my green garbage cart is overflowing in Valdosta?
The city strictly requires lids to be completely closed. Overfilled cans or unauthorized extra cans will not be serviced by the trucks. You can request a second authorized can for an $8 monthly fee.
How much does bulk trash pickup cost in Valdosta?
Bulk item piles measuring 4x8x5 feet or less are collected at no cost. Larger piles incur a $45 fee, and piles up to 6x10 feet incur a $90 fee, which is billed directly to your water account.
What are the yard debris size limits?
Tree trunks must be cut to no longer than 6 feet and no wider than 4 inches in diameter. Individual limbs and branches must weigh less than 35 pounds to be collected.
Does Valdosta collect garbage on holidays?
Household garbage is not collected on major observed holidays like Christmas Day or New Year's Day. If your normal service day falls on a holiday, it will typically be collected on the next business day.