After pick up, garbage containers must be removed to the rear of the residence out of sight of the public.

Residential garbage means domestic wastes composed of meat, vegetables and fruit scraps, cans, scrap rags and other such wastes matter normally to be disposed of from residences, eating establishments and other businesses.

What Isn’t Collected
Residential garbage does not include:

• Building Materials such as lumber, brick, plaster, gutters, sewer pipe, carpet & underlay or other such items
• Large, dead animals such as horses or cattle
• Tires
• Rocks
• Concrete
• Asphalt
• Fence Material
• Batteries (all types)
• Furniture
• Mattress or springs

These and other such items must be taken to the county transfer station.

Trash Collection
Trash means leaves, limbs from tree pruning, weeds, grass and hedge trimmings. Trash is picked up once per week or may be taken to the city's trash collection center.

Trash must be separated by type:

• Grass, leaves, etc., that can be picked up by vacuum.
• Limbs, etc., that can be picked up by hand or with lifting equipment.

Trash must be neatly placed at curbside. All tree and shrubbery trimmings must be no larger than four inches in diameter and no longer than four feet in length. Tree and shrubbery limb protruding branches must be trimmed and neatly stacked and placed at curbside. Christmas Trees are exempt from these provisions. No other garbage, paper, metal, construction debris, stumps, etc., can be mixed in trash.

Contractors clearing lots and tree removal companies are responsible for removing debris at the property owner's expense and will not be picked up by city crews.

Recyclable Materials
Recyclable materials are picked up one time per week on the same day as garbage. Recyclable materials may also be taken the Thomson-McDuffie Recycle Drop-off Facility at 863 Augusta Highway.

Special Requests
Small, dead animals will be picked up at curbside or from the roadway only during normal operating hours. The property owner is responsible for getting the carcass to the curb. Property owners are responsible for the removal of large, dead animals such as a horse or cattle.

Household appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, heaters, washers, dryers and hot water heaters will be picked up for recycling upon request.

Furniture, mattresses or other household furnishings will be picked up upon request. The items will be scheduled for removal following a visit by city staff where costs are agreed upon. Fees include transportation and dumping fees. Landlords are responsible for tenant’s furniture and household goods. In the event the rental property is occupied, the occupant is responsible for goods.

Special Pick-up Services Available (Fees Charged)
Large roll-off containers are available and will be hauled away by the city for construction material and construction debris, including old carpet from home improvement projects and renovations.

The charge for the service is $100 per trip plus the tipping fee charged by McDuffie County.

The property owner or the contractor is responsible for contacting the city for this service. Smaller quantities can also be hauled at the owner's expense but require a visit by the Director of Solid Waste to estimate the cost before transport.

Fee schedules for all services are available at City Hall or by calling (706) 595-1781.

To make special requests or for more information, call (706) 595-1781.

The Streets and Sanitation Department is located in City Hall on Main Street (GA 17), just north of the intersection of Hall Street and Main Street.

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1017, Thomson, GA 30824
Street Address: 309 Main St., Thomson, GA 30824
Phone: (706) 595-1781
Fax: (706) 595-2161