Garbage Hauler Map
Need to start up garbage service or find out what hauler serves your residence? Use our Digital Atlas, click the "layers list" at the bottom, and scroll to select the garbage hauler option to see the map.
Rates - Waste Collection
Some haulers bill for two months of service at a time, and some haulers bill ahead of time for service for the next two months (ex: you received a bill in December for January and February service). If you feel your billing is incorrect based on the below rates, call your hauler.
- Basic service (collection of one garbage cart/tote): $26.75 per monthservice fee, $0 garbage tote/cart, $0 recycling tote/cart
- Expanded basic service (collection of two garbage carts/totes): $37.75 per monthservice fee, $0garbage totes/carts, $0 recycling tote/cart
View approved rates (PNG) that took effect April 2024.
Receiving a New Garbage Cart/Tote
In January 2024, some haulers began delivering new garbage carts to Decatur customers
- If you do not receive a new cart and you would like one, you can call your hauler and ask that they deliver a new cart/tote, either 64 or 96-gallon in size
- If you receive a cart/tote that you do not need because you already have an acceptable 64 or 96-gallon cart/tote, call your hauler and they will take back the cart
- You are allowed to use either a 64 or 96-gallon cart/tote. Most of the deliveries have been the larger 96-gallon cart
- If you accept the new cart and want to get rid of your old cart, you may call your hauler and they will remove the old cart for no charge. This will not count towards your bulky item allowance
Garbage/Recycling Brochure
View a printable garbage and recycling information brochure (PDF).
2024 Updates to Chapter 56 (Garbage, Recycling & Yard Waste)
The Decatur City Council approved updates to Chapter 56 (PDF) on December 4, 2023. Changes to the yard waste program were made April 1, 2024.
- Tote/cart standard: All residential customers must use a 64 or 96-gallon wheeled tote for garbage collection, and a separate 64 or 96-gallon wheeled tote for recycling. It will be the responsibility of the private hauler to provide and replace these carts at no additional charge above the base rate. Customers that already have the appropriate 64 or 96-gallon wheeled totes may continue to use them. Alternatively, they can use them for yard waste or some other purpose and ask their private hauler for a new cart. If you don't want your old tote/cart/garbage bin, your hauler will collect it and it will not count as one of your "bulky" items.
- Alley pickup:With some exceptions, most alley pick-ups have been eliminated. Collection will be transitioned to the curb/street over a 3- to 4-month phase-in period. Haulers, not the City, will be empowered to determine if alley service should continue for certain customers.
- Basic Service defined: Once weekly garbage collection of one garbage cart/tote, once weekly recycling collection and disposal, and unlimited weekly collection of yard waste from March 1 through December 15 each year, along with one additional yard waste pickup in January and one pickup in February. Basic Service also includes 5 separate bulky waste collections at the curb side each year, with each collection allowing up to 5 bulky items.
- Expanded Basic Service defined: Once weekly garbage collection of two garbage carts/totes, and everything listed for "basic service"
- Bulky pickup: Basic Service includes 5 separate bulky waste collections each year, with each collection allowing up to 5 bulky items. Each of these pickups may include removal of only one household appliance such as a refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, etc. and not more than four other items. Residents must call their private hauler to set up a bulky pickup.
- Yard waste: On April 1, 2024 City Council approved a universal yard waste collection program. All residential Decatur customers receive unlimited weekly collection of yard waste from March 1 through December 15 each year, with one additional yard waste pickup in January and one pickup in February, at a time established by the hauler. The hauler will be responsible for notification of the yard waste collection times in January and February.
Other Changes to Provide Further Customer Protection
- If a customer has an entire weekly trash collection cycle missed, the hauler must credit their bill for 50% of one month's rate
- The City can change boundaries and re-assign an entire neighborhood to a different hauler if there is a substantive pattern of poor service
- If customers are assessed an extra fee for having garbage "overages" (extra garbage not fitting in the cart, or excessive bulky waste) then the hauler must have photographic evidence of the overage, should a customer ask for proof
- Each residential customer may temporarily pause collection service for a minimum two month period once per year. Any service interruption must be scheduled in advance with your hauler, and is subject to a one-time $5 stop/start fee
Hardship
Back door service shall be provided to Hardship customers at no charge. Hardship service will be available to a customer who is physically unable to place refuse or recycling containers at the curb and has no family member or other person living at the residence able to place the containers at the curb. Medical verification shall be provided to the hauler prior to the hauler being required to provide hardship service.
Recycling
Recycling service is available to all residential customers in single-family homes, and in residences with up to six units. If you need a recycling cart, please contact your hauler.
The fee for recycling will be $2.50 per month starting March 1, 2024 and will be assessed on water bills. Properties that do not use City water are billed quarterly for recycling.
Landscape / Yard Waste
All residential Decatur customers receive unlimited weekly yard waste removal from March 1 through December 15 each year, with one additional pickup in January and one pickup in February, at times set by the hauler. It will be the hauler's responsibility to notify customers of the collection times in January and February.
Customers can use any combination of biodegradable bags, stick bundles, and privately-owned containers to set out their yard waste at the curb. Approved yard waste containers must be indicated as "yard waste only." Yard waste stickers are available at the Civic Center box office in the main lobby and in the Community Development Department on the 3rd floor.
Premium Landscape/Yard Waste
If customers signed up for the now-obsolete premium yard waste service, you are to receive a credit on your waste collection bill
Companies & Contact Numbers
- GFL customers
Contact GFL: 217-935-5652 - Waste Management customers
Contact WM: 800-796-9696 - Jeremy Doolin Disposal customers
Contact Jeremy Doolin: 217-422-5298 (call or text) - Doolin Disposal customers
Contact Doolin: 217-423-1680 - Murrell's Disposal customers
Contact Murrell's: 217-519-0910
Haulers must follow rules and regulations set in these promulgated rules (PDF).
Other questions? Answers can be found in the approved Chapter 56 (PDF).
