Milton's Sustainability Advisory Committee began reviewing a draft plan that could replace the city's eight-hauler trash system with some form of centralized collection.
The seven-member committee took up the Recycling and Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP) at its Sept. 8 meeting, as first reported by the North Atlanta Star. The 10-year plan, developed with consulting firm NewGen Strategies and Solutions, has been in the works for more than two years.
Right now, Milton households pick their own garbage company from a city-approved list of eight permitted haulers: Custom Disposal, Legacy Disposal Services, Henry Edward Kincaid, Red Oak Sanitation, Seegreen Services, TNT Junk & Trash Removal, Waste Management and Waste Pro. Different trucks, schedules and prices can show up on the same street.
The draft plan does not change that on its own. According to the city's RSWMP webpage, only City Council can take action such as changing who collects trash and recycling. Each recommendation would require a separate ordinance, budget item or contract.
A March 2026 committee meeting notice spelled out the guardrails: "Even if and when it's approved, the RSWMP will not change who collects trash and recycling in Milton, though it might include recommendations for possible future action along those lines."
Questions the city is weighing
At public input meetings Feb. 26–27, the city asked residents whether one hauler should handle all collections, whether Milton should promote composting and how the city can ensure quality service.
All certified haulers must already offer curbside recycling covering common paper, cardboard, aluminum, steel and certain plastics. Glass goes to a separate drop-off at Bell Memorial Park.
Under a single citywide provider, residents would get a uniform pickup schedule and fewer trucks in their neighborhoods. They would no longer negotiate directly with competing companies or choose features like back-door pickup. Cost, contract terms, missed-pickup enforcement and treatment of existing neighborhood agreements all remain open questions, the North Atlanta Star reported.
What happens next
The committee is scheduled to meet again Tuesday, Oct. 13, at City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk. It advises city leadership but does not vote on ordinances or contracts.
Residents should expect two stages. First, the committee and then City Council would approve the guiding plan. Second, any specific collection change would require its own ordinance or budget action through the city's standard public process.
The full text of the draft RSWMP has not been posted publicly as of Sept. 26. Residents can send comments to [email protected] or call 678-242-2500.
