Fulton County Department of Public Works is committed to ensuring the effective management of solid waste – meaning environmentally friendly, reliable and accountable waste collection services. The Solid Waste Management Program has never waivered in providing effective management of solid waste collection and disposal throughout unincorporated Fulton County in accordance with the requirements of the Georgia Solid Waste Management Act.

In keeping with its mission, Fulton County is in the process of updating its Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) and Short Term Work Program (STWP). The SWMP is a document that will be the policy guide for how unincorporated Fulton County will manage its solid waste for the next ten years.  

The SWMP will take into account municipal changes such the new city incorporations, the requirements of the Georgia Solid Waste Management Act as well as Minimum Planning Standards and Procedures for Solid Waste Management established by the rules of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

The final plan will address the five core planning elements, including:

• Waste Reduction; 
• Collection; 
• Disposal; 
• Land Limitation; and 
• Education and Public Involvement.

Why is the plan being updated?
State law requires that Fulton County update its Solid Waste Management Plan (Plan) and associated Short Term Work Program. Fulton County last updated its Plan in 2005 and is required to complete a full update to the Plan by October 31, 2011. 

How does the plan integrate with the 2030 Plan?
Fulton County Department of Environment & Community Development is also currently in the process of updating the Fulton County Comprehensive Plan. The new comprehensive plan, Your Community, Your Future: Fulton County 2030 Comprehensive Plan, will reflect the planning standards established by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in 2004. Because the current Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) was developed based on the conditions found in the previous plan, Focus Fulton 2005 Comprehensive Plan, the new SWMP being developed will reflect the conditions found in Comprehensive Plan 2030.

What is the community to gain from the Plan?
The Solid Waste Management Plan process provides citizens a venue to think and share how they believe the solid waste program should be managed in Fulton County. The plan will include strategies that will focus on reducing environmental impact and extending the life of regional landfills, potentially reducing our future landfill capacity needs.

Draft Documents

Process for Updating the Plan

Get Involved

Frequently Asked Questions

2005 Solid Waste Management Plan