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DeKalb explains bulk-pickup process, fees and amnesty days after residents report long-standing mattress blight
Summary
Residents complained that mattresses and bulky items linger in neighborhoods; county staff said bulk pickups require a resident request and payment (or free service on announced amnesty days funded previously with CARES/ARPA), and said the county can dispatch trucks and place liens in egregious dumping cases.
Residents told officials they see mattresses and bulky waste left at the curb for extended periods. A resident said she often sees mattresses "growing in the grass" and asked why sanitation crews pass them by. County staff responded that routine sanitation trucks are not equipped for bulk items and that residents must request a bulk pickup or wait for scheduled amnesty days.
Staff said amnesty days are advertised and free only on those specified dates; otherwise the county will provide a price quote and dispatch a bulk truck within 48 to 72 hours after payment. Officials said the county previously used CARES and ARPA funds to subsidize amnesty pickups and that, for egregious public-dumping cases, the county may dispatch a truck and put a lien on the property to recover costs.
The county encouraged residents — particularly seniors without internet access — to call the department to report bulk items so the department can create a chain of ownership and arrange proper collection.
