The Complete Guide to Atlanta Recycling & Waste Disposal

Find the Right Atlanta Recycling Center for Your Waste 

From its robust recycling program to its vast network of community gardens, Atlanta offers residents an array of ways to live a green lifestyle. The city has set a goal to divert 90 percent of recyclables from area landfills by the end of the decade. 

Want to do your part to increase recycling in Atlanta? Use our guide to find Atlanta recycling centers that will allow you to recycle everything from automotive parts to food waste. 

Construction & Remodeling Debris | Automotive | Electronics & Appliances | Paper & Plastic | Household Items

Construction & Remodeling Debris

Working on a construction project can create a lot of debris. Dispose of items sustainably by finding the appropriate Atlanta recycling center for the leftover materials. 

Scrap Metal

Scrap metal can be recycled and can earn you a few dollars. Find a place that will recycle your scrap or pay you for your aluminum, brass, copper, iron and steel.

Shingles

Old asphalt shingles can be thrown away, but they can also be recycled into asphalt mixes for roads and other uses. Use the site below to find recyclers and projects near you that can use your old roofing shingles. 

Miscellaneous

Have other construction materials lying around? Keep them out of the landfill by finding a local non-profit or Atlanta recycling center that accepts construction materials.

Automotive

Automotive waste can be tricky to dispose of because many items are not accepted in landfills or through household recycling collection. When you are looking to recycle car parts or used automotive fluids in Atlanta, choose a location below to minimize your impact on the environment. 

Car Batteries

Car batteries cannot be disposed of in landfills because they contain dangerous chemicals like lead, but recycling them is relatively easy. Many auto parts stores will accept them for a small fee or when you purchase a new battery. Find an Atlanta recycling drop-off near you.               

Scrap Cars

When looking to dispose of an old car in Atlanta, use the list below to find a location where it can be recycled or donated to someone in need.

Tires

Tires are not allowed in most landfills because of the damage they can cause to landfill infrastructure. Find an Atlanta recycling center that accepts tires near you. 

Gasoline, Lubricants, & Oils

Most auto parts stores will accept old fuel, motor oil and lubricants for a small fee. Use this list to find additional disposal resources.

Electronics & Appliances

Electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the country. Use these Atlanta electronics recycling resources to prevent your waste from ending up in the landfill whenever possible.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators can be a nuisance to get rid of because of the special disposal requirements for refrigerants. Find a business in Atlanta that recycles broken refrigerators or a charity that accept functioning appliances.

Appliances

Atlanta has a number of organizations that will accept working appliances including dishwashers, ovens, and dryers. 

Televisions

Televisions contain heavy metals that are hazardous and shouldn’t end up in the landfill. When you upgrade your television, take your old one to the recycling centers or donation sites listed below.

Cell Phones

Cellphones are valuable recyclables. Find an Atlanta electronics recycling or donation site that will make the most of your old phone.

Computers

Getting rid of an old, obsolete or broken computer? Instead of dropping it in your trash can, recycle it to protect the environment or help someone in need. 

Paper & Plastic

Paper and plastic recycling in Atlanta is encouraged through the curbside pickup program, Cartlanta. For additional resources, residents can recycle their paper, plastics, glass and metals through any of these local recycling centers:

Household Items

There are plenty of ways to get rid of household odds and ends, from clothing to old medicine, that don’t lead to the landfill. Use the resources below to find an Atlanta recycling center for your unwanted goods. 

Clothing

Cleaning out the closet? Donate items to a local charity who can ensure they are reused or recycled.

Mattresses

Mattresses are usually not allowed in landfills because the materials they contain do not break down easily. Find a resource for mattress recycling in Atlanta or break down the mattress yourself. 

Organic Waste

Looking for a sustainable way to toss yard waste or food waste? Use this list to find a local composting resource. 

Additional Disposal Facilities and Recycling Centers in Atlanta

Household Hazardous Waste 

The city of Atlanta does not provide municipal services for disposing of household hazardous waste. However, the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials provides Fulton and Dekalb County residents with a drop-off center that can handle hazardous materials such as household chemicals, smoke detectors, thermometers, bulbs, and more.

Local Landfills

If you can't find a recycling center in Atlanta for your specific debris, use this list of area landfills and transfer stations to find a location where you can safely dispose of your waste.