Landfills & Dumps in Georgia

Georgia's waste management infrastructure serves over 10 million residents across 159 counties, regulated by the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) within the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The Land Protection Branch manages landfill permitting, compliance monitoring, groundwater protection, and site remediation. EPD maintains a searchable database of all permitted solid waste facilities that can be filtered by county, facility type, and operating status to help residents locate appropriate disposal options.

Metro Atlanta hosts several large regional landfills serving the state's most densely populated area. Commercial disposal rates run $35 to $50 per ton, while residential self-haul customers typically pay $30 to $60 per pickup truck load depending on the facility and waste type. Some facilities have minimum charges regardless of load size. Transfer stations throughout the metro area offer more convenient drop-off for smaller loads, consolidating waste for transport to regional landfills.

Rural Georgia counties typically operate staffed collection centers where residents bring household trash, recyclables, and bulky items. These facilities are usually open several days per week including Saturdays for working residents. Some counties require proof of residency for access or charge higher fees to non-residents. Contact your county solid waste department for locations, hours, and any permit requirements.

Many metro Atlanta counties have implemented yard waste diversion programs that prohibit grass, leaves, and brush in regular garbage. Separate yard waste collection or designated drop-off areas handle these materials, often processing them into mulch or compost. Open burning of yard waste is restricted in urban and suburban areas due to air quality concerns. Appliances containing refrigerants like refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners require special handling with fees typically ranging from $15 to $25.

The Solid Waste Trust Fund, supported by fees on new tire sales, finances scrap tire cleanup, statewide recycling initiatives through Keep Georgia Beautiful, and remediation of abandoned landfills. EPD provides technical guidance documents covering groundwater monitoring, methane management, operator certification requirements, and reporting obligations for permitted facilities. For questions about specific disposal needs, contact the Land Protection Branch or your county solid waste coordinator.