Bulky Items & Special Collections
DeKalb County Sanitation Division provides convenient bulky item and special collection services to help residents properly dispose of large household materials that cannot be placed in regular curbside collection.
These services support safer, cleaner neighborhoods and ensure items are handled responsibly in accordance with county guidelines. Residents can use this page to review eligibility, scheduling options, accepted materials, and preparation requirements for a smooth and efficient pickup.
Large Item Collection Service
Schedule collection for items too large for your regular garbage cart.
Free Bulky Items (No Fee Required)
Included in Your Annual Assessment
- Furniture (couches, chairs, tables, dressers)
- Mattresses and box springs
- Toilets and bathroom fixtures
- Appliances (must be empty with doors removed)
> Refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers
> Stoves, dishwashers, microwaves
> Air conditioners, water heaters
Preparation Requirements
- Appliances: Remove all food, secure or remove doors
- Refrigerators/Freezers: Must be completely empty
- Items must be: Placed at curb, not blocking access
- Location: Away from mailboxes, sidewalks, utilities
Special Collection Items (Prepaid Fee Required)
Fee-Based Items
- Construction & demolition materials (no concrete)
- Wood fencing, decking materials
- Metal fencing and posts
- Large volumes of garbage or yard trimmings
- Excess garbage bags (over cart capacity)
- Tree parts over 3-inch diameter
- Logs and large limbs
- Commingled piles (mixed materials)
- Landlord evictions
- Professional contractor waste
- Unflattened cardboard (any amount)
- Flattened cardboard (over 10 boxes)
Items Not Accepted
- Tires (take to Seminole Road Landfill - $10/tire)
- Hazardous materials
- Concrete products
- Bagster bags
- Liquids
Special Collection Fees*
Collection Type: General Special Collection
Minimum Fee: $100
Per Truckload: $225
Collection Type: Tree Parts (>3" diameter)
Minimum Fee: $200
Per Truckload: $450
Collection Type: Commingled Piles
Minimum Fee: $200
Per Truckload: $450
*Fees are assessed after on-site assessment
How to Request Collection
Step 1: Place Items at Curb
- Items must be placed curbside before requesting service
- Place neatly without blocking access
- Don't block mailboxes, flower beds, etc.
- Keep away from utilities and drainage systems
Step 3: Assessment
- Sanitation staff will assess items
- Determine if fees apply
- Leave assessment form if special collection required
- Email/mail payment instructions for fee items
Step 4: Payment (If Required)
- Pay before collection occurs
- Online payment available
- Check or money order accepted
- Credit cards accepted in person
Step 2: Submit Request
Online Request (Recommended)
- Submit Bulky Item Request
- Upload photos if applicable
- Get instant confirmation
- Receive payment link for special collections
Email Request
Send to: sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov
- Include your name and address
- Describe items to be collected
- Attach photos if possiblE
Mail Request
Mail to:
DeKalb County Sanitation Division
3720 Leroy Scott Drive
Decatur, GA 30032
- Download mail-in form
- Include completed form
- Payment instructions will be mailed
In-Person Request
Visit: 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Phone: 404-294-2900
- Download mail-in form
- Include completed form
- Payment instructions will be mailed
Payment Options
Online Payment
- Secure payment portal
- Credit/debit cards accepted
- Instant confirmation
- Email receipts
Mail Payment
Mail to:
DeKalb County Sanitation Division
3720 Leroy Scott Drive
Decatur, GA 30032
- Check or money order only
- Payable to "DeKalb County Sanitation Division"
- Include account/reference number
Secure Drop Box
Location: 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
- 24-hour access
- Check or money order only
- Use envelopes
- Drop box instructions
In-Person Payment
Office: 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
- Cash, check, money order, credit cards accepted
- Immediate receipt provided
Collection Timeline
Service Schedule:
- Free Bulky Items: Within 10 business days of request
- Special Collections: Within 10 business days after payment verified
- Weather Delays: May extend timeline
- Holiday Weeks: May cause delays
What to Expect:
- Request submitted with items at curb
- Assessment completed in 1-3 business days
- Payment made (if fees apply)
- Collection scheduled within 10 business days
- Items collected during regular business hours
Important Guidelines
Do:
- Place items neatly at curb
- Remove doors from appliances
- Empty all appliances completely
- Keep items accessible to collection crew
- Submit request after items are placed
- Pay fees promptly when required
Don't:
- Place items on sidewalks or roadways
- Block mailboxes or utilities
- Mix free and fee items together
- Leave items out without submitting request
- Expect collection without payment for fee items
Special Situations
Landlord Evictions
- Classified as special collection
- Must be properly documented
- Large volume pricing may apply
Moving Boxes
- Up to 10 flattened boxes: Free with recycling
- Any unflattened boxes: Special collection fee
- Over 10 flattened boxes: Special collection fee
Tree Service Waste
- Professional contractor waste not collected
- Homeowner-generated tree waste accepted
- Size restrictions apply (under 3" diameter free)
- Large tree parts require special collection fee
Alternative Disposal Options
Seminole Road Landfill4203 Clevemont Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294
- Self-haul option for residents
- Pay-per-weight pricing
- Tires accepted ($10 each, limit 10)
- Construction materials accepted
- Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM - Phone: 404-687-4040
Donation Centers Consider donating usable items:
- Goodwill, Salvation Army
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore
- Local charities and nonprofits
Disposal of Dead Animals
Collection on Rights of Way and Roads/Roadkill
Dead animals are collected on county rights of way and roads. To request collection, residents should call 404-294-2900 or email sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov, providing as much information as possible regarding the location and type of animal to be collected. Collection will occur within 48 hours of the service request date.
Landfill Drop-off of Dead Animals
Proper Preparation Procedure: Animals over 100 lbs.
Payments: Cash, check, or money order paid at the landfill.
Fees: $200 base charge for securing/preparing the burial hole PLUS landfill gate rate minimum charge of $48 or $95 per ton.
Animal Crematory
Address: 810 Camp Road, Decatur, GA 30032
Phone: 404-294-2009
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM- 3:30 PM
Proper Preparation Procedure: Animals over 100 lbs. can be transported to the Seminole Road Landfill. Animals must be double-bagged.
DeKalb Residents: $25 disposal fee.
Non-DeKalb Residents: $100 disposal fee.
Payments: Checks or money order payable to DeKalb Sanitation.
Collection from Veterinary Hospitals
Proper Preparation Procedure: Animals over 100 lbs. can be transported to the Seminole Road Landfill. Animals must be double-bagged.
Payments: Must have an active commercial account.
DeKalb Residents: $25 disposal fee.
Non-DeKalb Residents: $100 disposal fee.
Contact Information
Customer Service
Phone: 404-294-2900
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-5:30 PM
Email Requests: sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov
Response within 3 business days
Office Location
3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM