DeKalb County adjusts summer garbage routes to begin at 6 a.m. July 13-Sept. 1, due to extreme heat

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Beginning Monday, July 13, the DeKalb County Department of Solid Waste Management will begin garbage pickups at 6 a.m., one hour earlier than usual. 

To enhance employee safety during periods of extreme summer heat, DeKalb is temporarily adjusting its collection routes effective July 13–Sept. 1.

The temporary one-hour adjustment is part of the department’s seasonal heat mitigation strategy designed to reduce employees’ exposure to high temperatures while maintaining reliable service to DeKalb County residents.

Residents are asked to place garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings at the curb before 6 a.m. on their scheduled collection day during the temporary schedule change.

“Protecting the health and well-being of our employees is a top priority,” said Eugene McKinnie, director of the Department of Solid Waste Management. “By beginning collection routes earlier in the day, we can help reduce heat exposure for our frontline teams while continuing to provide the dependable, high-quality service our residents expect. We appreciate the public’s cooperation and patience as we implement this temporary schedule adjustment.”

The department will continue to monitor weather conditions and implement enhanced heat safety measures to protect field employees throughout the summer.

For more information, contact the Department of Solid Waste Management’s customer experience team at 404-294-2900 or sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov.