Who do I contact if I have construction or demolition debris?

Why did Gwinnett County implement a solid waste plan?

• Cleaner neighborhoods: About 20,000 homes previously did not use waste collection services.
• Environmental sustainability: A single hauler provides service to each neighborhood, reducing truck traffic and pollution. Customers may also recycle as part of their regular solid waste pick-up service. State law requires the County to update its solid waste management plan periodically and to work toward reducing the solid waste deposited in landfills.
• Consistent service fee: The standard service fee is the same in all solid waste districts in the unincorporated areas of the County.

Is there any exemption from the Solid Waste Ordinance requirements?

The Gwinnett County Solid Waste program is mandatory for all residents in unincorporated Gwinnett County. However, if your property is vacant and you have a current, valid Vacant Property Permit from the Department of Planning and Development, please notify the Solid Waste Management Call Center at 770.822.7141.

To apply for a vacant property permit, visit the Department of Planning and Development in person at 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 300, in Lawrenceville. Utilities (electricity and water) should already be turned off at the time of application.

How do you handle illegal dumping issues?

• Report illegal dumping on public roadways to the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation at 770.822.7400 or DOTServiceRequest@gwinnettcounty.com.
• To report the criminal act of illegal dumping while occurring, call 770.513.5700 and provide a description of the person and/or vehicle.
• To report illegally dumped items on private property which have identifying information (evidence), contact Gwinnett County Police at 770.513.5700.
• To report illegally dumped items on private property which have NO identifying information (evidence), contact the Code Enforcement Hotline at 770.513.5020 or email QualityofLife@gwinnettcounty.com and the landowner will be contacted to remove the items.

Who can I call with additional questions about the solid waste program?

Call Gwinnett County Solid Waste Management Call Center at 770.822.7141 weekdays from 8:00am to 5:00pm. You may also email your questions to gcsolidwaste@gwinnettcounty.com. Please be sure to include the first and last name of the property owner and the physical address.

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Do I have a choice of hauler?

Haulers are assigned by service areas, which increases collection efficiency, limits truck traffic in residential neighborhoods, and reduces noise pollution.

In a gated community with private roads, will haulers use smaller trucks?

Please contact your hauler with this question.

What if my hauler provides poor service?

Contact your hauler directly, If complaints are not resolved within 24 hours, contact Gwinnett County Solid Waste Management at 770.822.7141 or gcsolidwaste@gwinnettcounty.com. If possible, provide the service request number given by your hauler when you contacted them.

What are the rules, quality controls, and expectations for haulers?

All haulers must collect household trash and recyclables once per week. They must meet service level agreements that include professionalism, qualified and trained staff, and a call center that is adequately staffed and maintained on weekdays from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Who monitors the service providers for quality of service?

Gwinnett County manages the solid waste program to ensure that quality customer service is provided to our citizens. Call 770.822.7141 or email gcsolidwaste@gwinnettcounty.com with customer concerns.

When will my container be delivered?

For new setup, please contact Gwinnett County Solid Waste at 770.822.7141. The hauler has up to 10 business days to deliver your trash and/or recycle containers.

How will I be billed?

Normally, charges for basic service are billed one year in advance on the owner’s annual property tax statement. If you purchased a home that is new construction or a home with a previous Vacant Property Permit, the fee may not have been included on your property taxes. In that case, you will receive a separate invoice that includes the fee covering your service for the remainder of the year.

What if I have extra trash and my container is full?

If you have more trash or recycling than will fit in your hauler-provided container, you may request a second trash or recycling container from your hauler for a fee. The hauler will bill you directly for that associated cost.

Do I need to pay for bulk item(s) pickup?

No. You are allowed to place two items per week at the curb at no additional charge, but you must contact your hauler to schedule pickup.

What containers can I use for recycling? 

You can choose an 18-gallon bin or request a 65-gallon wheeled cart by contacting your hauler.

What can I do with my yard waste?

Curbside yard waste collection is an elective service. Contact your hauler to inquire about this service and fees.

Does Gwinnett County offer a senior citizen discount?

Yes. The senior discount for residents 62 years of age and older is 25 percent of the hauler paid rate. Apply for a solid waste fee senior discount.

I am disabled. Do you offer walk-up service?

Yes.Please contact Solid Waste Management at 770.822.7141 or your hauler for further information.

What is the hauler holiday schedule?

Haulers observe the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

If the holiday falls on a regular collection day, trash and recycling pickups will be delayed by one weekday during the holiday week.

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Can I put biomedical containers such as colostomy or urostomy bags in the trash?

Although residents are allowed to dispose of biomedical wastes with their regular trash, this does not include non-solid biomedical materials such as urine or fecal matter. Urine and fecal matter are not solid waste and should be disposed of through wastewater treatment or septic tanks. This material should be emptied from the containers (such as a colostomy bag) into a toilet and then flushed. The empty containers should then be placed into a sealable plastic bag and disposed of with regular household trash.

 
How do I dispose of household syringes (sharps)?

For proper disposal of syringes (sharps), please refer to your local doctor's office or visit the Gwinnett County Health Department's website. You may also call the Gwinnett County Health Department at 770.339.4260.

Do I need to sort my recyclables?

No. Gwinnett's solid waste haulers use dedicated trucks for recycling and a method called “single stream recycling.” This means that recyclables are sorted at the recycling center, not curbside. Please rinse out all containers before placing acceptable items in the recycling cart. 

What if all of my recycling does not fit in the cart provided by my hauler?

You can upgrade to a free 65-gallon wheeled recycling cart. You may also request an additional 65-gallon cart by contacting your hauler. An additional monthly fee for this service will be billed directly by the hauler.

What about recycling plastics? Are all types accepted at the curb?

Plastics #1 and #2 are accepted curbside. For a more comprehensive list of plastics that are recyclable, see the accepted recyclable items list.

Is glass accepted at curbside recycling?

No. Glass is not accepted as part of curbside recycling. There are currently three glass recycling drop-off locations:

Do I have to recycle?

No, but voluntary participation in recycling reduces the amount of solid waste disposed of in landfills and helps preserve our environment.

Who should I call if my recyclables are not picked up?

Please call your hauler directly or Solid Waste Management Call Center at 770.822.7141 for missed pickups or other service-related issues. If your issue is not resolved, please call the Gwinnett County Solid Waste Management Call Center or email gcsolidwaste@gwinnettcounty.com and include the property owner’s first and last name and the physical address.

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Who do I call if my trash is not picked up?

Please call your hauler for missed pickups or other service-related issues. If your issue is not resolved, please call the Gwinnett County Solid Waste Management Call Center at 770.822.7141 or email gcsolidwaste@gwinnettcounty.com and include the property owner’s first and last name and the physical address.

Who should I notify if I move?

It is not necessary to notify your hauler or Gwinnett County if you move. However, the container should remain on the property. Gwinnett County does not issue refunds or make adjustments for the solid waste fee and will continue to bill for the service going forward. If you are selling your home, you may ask your closing attorney about the option of prorating fees.

Will the hauler assigned to my neighborhood also service the Homeowner's Association common areas?

If your HOA is using residential cans for trash collection, the association should contract with the residential hauler assigned to your neighborhood. If your HOA is using a dumpster for trash collection, the association should contract with any of the approved commercial haulers.

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What if my trash cart is damaged?

You may request a replacement cart by calling your hauler or Solid Waste Management Call Center at 770.822.7141.

Can I request a smaller trash cart?

If you prefer a 65-gallon trash cart, contact your hauler  or Solid Waste Management Call Center at 770.822.7141 to arrange for delivery of the smaller cart.

When will I receive my trash and recyclable cart after establishing new service?

Your trash hauler will deliver your carts within ten business days of establishing service. If you have not received your carts, contact your hauler or Solid Waste Management Call Center at 770.822.7141 to follow up. 

Can I use my own trash can or set out bags?

No. Basic weekly trash service is limited to the contents of one 95-gallon wheeled trash cart. For information regarding the collection of additional trash or to purchase additional carts, please contact your hauler.

Can I leave my cart out on the street in between collection days?

No. Please put trash and recycling carts out no earlier than 5:00pm the day before your collection day and remove carts no later than the day after.

What if the cart lid does not close because of excess trash?

The cart lid should be completely closed or it may not be picked up. Trash may not be collected if it is outside the cart. 

Can I request an additional trash cart?

Yes. You can contact your hauler to order an additional cart. Your hauler will assess a cart delivery charge and an additional monthly fee for this service will be billed directly by the hauler.

Who is responsible for fixing broken or cracked carts?

Your hauler is responsible replacing carts that are damaged due to normal wear and tear. All carts remain as property of the hauler. Damage resulting from customer misuse is the responsibility of the customer.

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