Trash Pickup

What Is Curbside Trash Pickup? Everything Homeowners Need to Know

Trash Pickup
January 08, 2026•4 min read

What Is Curbside Trash Pickup?

Curbside trash pickup is a residential waste collection service where your local trash company collects your household garbage directly from your curb or driveway on a scheduled day each week. It's the most common form of waste collection for suburban homes across the U.S., providing a simple and reliable way to dispose of everyday garbage.

Whether you’re moving into a new home, switching service providers, or just curious how the process works, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about weekly curbside trash pickup.

Table of Contents

  1. What Is Curbside Trash Pickup?

  2. How Curbside Trash Pickup Works

  3. What’s Included in Weekly Trash Pickup

  4. What You Can and Can’t Put in the Can

  5. Curbside vs. Backdoor Pickup: What’s the Difference?

  6. How to Set Up Trash Pickup Service

  7. When Is My Trash Pickup Day?

  8. What If I Miss My Pickup?

  9. Is Recycling Included in Curbside Trash Service?

  10. How Much Does Weekly Trash Pickup Cost?

  11. Finding the Best Curbside Trash Pickup Near Me

  12. Why Local Trash Companies Like Trash Reapers Are Better

  13. Final Thoughts: Hassle-Free Trash Pickup Starts Here

1. What Is Curbside Trash Pickup?

Curbside trash pickup is a residential waste removal service where homeowners place their garbage bins at the curb, and a garbage truck comes by weekly to collect it. The goal is to provide a reliable, scheduled system for disposing of household waste.

2. How Curbside Trash Pickup Works

Most services work on a consistent schedule — same day, same time each week. Homeowners receive a designated trash bin (usually 95 gallons) and are expected to:

  • Bag their garbage

  • Wheel their bin to the curb the night before pickup

  • Ensure no overflow or unaccepted items are present

3. What’s Included in Weekly Trash Pickup

Typically included:

  • One or two 95-gallon cans of household garbage

  • Weekly pickup service

  • Limited bulk item pickups (varies by company)

  • Recycling (if available in your area)

Optional services may include:

  • Backdoor pickup

  • Yard waste collection

  • Extra bins

4. What You Can and Can’t Put in the Can

✅ Common Accepted Items:

  • Kitchen waste

  • Bathroom trash

  • Broken toys, non-electronic items

  • Small furniture (if allowed)

❌ Prohibited Items:

  • Paint, oil, or chemicals

  • Construction debris

  • Large appliances

  • Electronics

  • Yard waste (unless specified)

Always check with your local provider to see what's allowed.

5. Curbside vs. Backdoor Pickup

Curbside Pickup: You bring the bin to the curb.
Backdoor Pickup: The trash company comes up your driveway or to the side of your house to get your bin for you. Great for seniors or long driveways.

6. How to Set Up Trash Pickup Service

Setting up service is easy:

  1. Search “trash pickup near me” or “waste collection in [your city]”

  2. Choose a local company with good reviews (like Trash Reapers!)

  3. Call or sign up online

  4. Receive your bin

  5. Start placing trash out weekly

7. When Is My Trash Pickup Day?

Pickup days are assigned by your provider and based on your address. Many companies offer maps or schedules online. Trash Reapers, for example, runs routes Monday through Thursday in Cobb and Paulding County.

8. What If I Miss My Pickup?

If you forget to take out the trash:

  • Some companies offer a “grace day”

  • Others require you to wait until the next week

  • Call your provider to request a one-time late pickup (fees may apply)

9. Is Recycling Included in Curbside Trash Service?

Not always. Some services include recycling as a separate bin, while others (like Trash Reapers) focus on trash-only service to simplify things. If you want trash pickup without recycling, look for a provider that offers this option.

10. How Much Does Weekly Trash Pickup Cost?

Prices vary by:

  • Number of cans (1 or 2)

  • Service area

  • Optional add-ons like backdoor pickup

In Georgia, expect prices around:

  • $25–$35/month for one can

  • $30–$45/month for two cans

Avoid companies that hide fees. Trash Reapers offers transparent flat-rate pricing with no surprise charges.

11. Finding the Best Curbside Trash Pickup Near Me

Use these tips:

  • Google “best trash pickup near me” or “[your city] waste collection”

  • Read customer reviews on Google or Yelp

  • Compare flat-rate vs. hidden-fee pricing

  • Look for a local provider (like Trash Reapers) for better customer service and faster response times

12. Why Local Trash Companies Like Trash Reapers Are Better

Big national waste companies often:

  • Miss pickups

  • Jack up prices

  • Offer poor customer service

Trash Reapers, by contrast, is:

  • Locally owned and operated

  • Transparent about pricing

  • Friendly, consistent, and reliable

We don’t play games — just honest trash pickup from people who actually show up.

13. Final Thoughts: Hassle-Free Trash Pickup Starts Here

Curbside trash pickup is one of the easiest ways to keep your home clean, your routine consistent, and your life stress-free. The key is finding a reliable local service that values your time, your property, and your trust.

If you’re in Cobb or Paulding County, Trash Reapers is ready to help. Flat-rate pricing. No hidden fees. Just great service from folks who care.

Need Trash Pickup Service?
📍 Visit thetrashreapers.com


📅 Choose your pickup day
📦 Get your bin delivered
♻️ Start enjoying hassle-free weekly trash pickup!

Back to Blog