Augusta Discontinues Automatic Recycling Service

News Summary

Augusta, Georgia announced the discontinuation of its automatic recycling service effective November 1, 2025. Residents must enroll in a new fee-based recycling program. Starting July 31, 2025, an annual fee of $178 is required for weekly collection, raising concerns about affordability. The city’s decision is a response to contamination issues experienced during the pandemic. The new service contract with Coastal Waste and Recycling Inc. will last five years, requiring adjustments in residents’ recycling habits and increased overall expenses for waste disposal.

Augusta, Georgia, has made the decision to discontinue its automatic recycling service, effective November 1, 2025. Residents will be required to enroll in a new recycling program provided by Coastal Waste and Recycling for a fee, marking a significant change in the city’s waste management policies.

Starting July 31, 2025, residents can sign up for the new recycling services with the annual fee set at $178 for weekly recycling collection. This fee will be in addition to their regular trash disposal costs. The introduction of this payment structure has led to mixed reactions among residents, with some expressing concerns about the affordability of the service. The feedback reveals frustrations regarding the costs associated with the new program, as many feel it is an added financial burden.

Following the transition, the recycling bins currently placed throughout the city will be removed unless residents choose to continue their recycling service by enrolling and paying the additional fees. Presently, recyclables have been collected separately since the onset of the COVID pandemic; however, this practice was halted due to high contamination rates in the collected materials.

A new contract with Coastal Waste and Recycling Inc. will take effect on August 1, 2025, for a duration of five years, with the possibility of renewal for another five years. Under this agreement, Coastal Waste is required to offer direct contracts to customers for recycling services upon request. This change is a response to the city’s desire to manage its waste effectively while emphasizing safety and efficiency, particularly after the challenges presented by contamination issues in the past.

Pricing for the new recycling services will vary: weekly service is set at approximately $12.69 per pickup, while a less frequent monthly service will be available for $10.69. This pricing structure is positioned to reflect the different needs of residents and businesses in Augusta.

Interestingly, residents will see a higher cost per month for garbage service, with home residents paying about $3 more than business customers. This difference raises questions about the city’s rationale, as one might expect that businesses, which typically generate more waste, would incur higher service costs.

The decision to move away from an automatic recycling program by the Augusta Commission was influenced by stalled negotiations with a competitor, Georgia Waste System LLC. As the city transitions away from automatic recycling, it is evident that the challenge of illegal contaminations in recyclable materials has prompted a reevaluation of the recycling services offered to residents.

Overall, as Augusta gears up for these significant changes in recycling policy, the local government faces the challenge of balancing community needs with operational efficiency and financial viability. As enrollment in the new services approaches, many residents are left considering the implications of these changes for their recycling habits and their overall waste disposal expenditures.

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Additional Resources

• WJBF: Customers React to New Augusta Recycling Program
• WRDW: Despite Blue Topped Bins, Augusta Hasn’t Been Recycling for Years
• The Augusta Press: Augusta Committee Set to Review Garbage Proposal with Add-on Recycling
• Augusta Chronicle: Augusta Stops Recycling Until Further Notice Due to Hurricane Helene
• The Augusta Press: Devils in the Details – Augusta to Seek New Bids from Waste Haulers
• Wikipedia: Recycling
• Google Search: Augusta Georgia recycling