Sanitation Department

Connie Burns, Solid Waste Coordinator & Keep Effingham Beautiful Director

cburns@effinghamcounty.org

Wanda Price, Administrative Assistant & Environmental Education Assistant

wprice@effinghamcounty.org

Thomas Kirkland, Landfill Supervisor

Harry L. Jenkins, Landfill Operator

Linwood Seckinger, Landfill Operator

What We Do | Service Directory | Frequently Asked Questions

Dry Waste & Recycling Site Hours
Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 5:00pm                                                          Please arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to allow enough time to unload your waste by closing. Thank you.

Sanitation Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Location
The Sanitation Department and the Dry Waste & Recycling Collection Site is located at 2750 Courthouse Road. From Springfield, take GA Hwy 21 Bypass South.. Turn onto McCall Road South. Take an immediate right onto Courthouse Road. Follow Courthouse Road for about 7 miles. Site will be on the right. From Guyton, take Hwy 17 South to Pineora area. Take a left onto Midland Rd. Go about 3 miles and take a left onto Courthouse Road. Site will be about 1 1/2 miles down Courthouse Road on the left. From South Guyton, take Hwy 30 to Midland Rd. Go about 7 miles and take a right onto Courthouse Road. Site will be about 1 1/2 miles down Courthouse Road on the left. From Faulkville/Meldrim, take Hwy 80 to Hwy 17. Follow Hwy 17  to Blue Jay Rd. Take a right onto Blue Jay Rd and go to caution light. At caution light, take a left onto Midland Rd. Go around 4 miles and take a right onto Courthouse Road. Site will be about 1 1/2 miles down Courthouse Road on left.

What We Do
We manage Effingham County's contract with Republic Waste Services for residential curbside trash collection. We interact daily with the residents of Effingham County concerning their solid waste needs. We also correspond daily with Republic Waste Services to ensure that residents receive the service level they need. We also plan for all solid waste issues, including recycling operations and collection and disposal needs. We have an Environmental Code Enforcement Program where we manage all of the county's environmental needs, such as littering, illegal dumping, scrap tire generators, and the public education thereof. (This does not include septic systems--the Health Department handles those.)  we also manage the Dry Waste and Recycling Collection Site and closed MSW Landfill to maintain compliance with all state laws and regulations.

We manage Keep Effingham Beautiful, Inc. and make efforts to educate the public concerning all solid waste issues and environmental issues.  We hold several events each year, such as Let's Keep Georgia Peachy Clean Week, the Great American Clean-up, Rivers Alive, Bring one for the Chipper Christmas tree recycling, America Recycles Day, etc.  Our slogan is "Effingham's Environment...It's Ours to Keep!"  Our department strives to live up to that slogan by working to protect all of Effingham's precious natural resources.

We work with the cities of Guyton, Rincon and Springfield and help them anytime they need assistance with their solid waste programs.  We also partner with many state and local agencies such as the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Georgia Recycling Coalition, the Georgia Association of Code Enforcement, the Georgia Department of Transportation, Effingham County Board of Education and other agencies to address all waste, recycling and natural resource issues.  Basically, if it is trash or environmental, we handle it or can help you find out who can handle it.  We welcome the opportunity to work with citizens of the County and Cities as we strive to achieve our goals and meet the needs of Effingham County and its environment. 

Event Calendar

January - Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling

February - Arbor Day

March through May - The Great American Clean Up, Let's Keep Georgia Peachy Clean Week and Earth Day

October - Rivers Alive

November - America Recycles Day


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Service Directory

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start new trash collection service?
If you are within the city limits, please call your City Hall. If you are building a new home, moving into a home that has never been lived in or putting a mobile home on a property that has never had a home on it--please call the Zoning Department at 912-754-2105. If you are moving into an existing home and you do not have a trash can--please call Republic Waste Services at 912-964-2211 and speak to their residential customer service representative. Tell them you need a replacement cart at your home. If you are moving into an existing home and you do have a trashcan--put your can out to the road by 7:00 am on your collection day for pickup.

Can I get a second cart?
Yes, but because the fee goes onto the tax bill, only the property owner can apply for this service. Contact the Zoning at 912-754-2105.

How do I use my cart?
Fill your cart with securely bagged household garbage. Do not put bulky items, unbagged garbage or items such as brooms or boards that stick up in the cart.  Unbagged garbage can blow out of collection trucks and litter our road. Place your cart about 3 feet from the edge of the road away from any obstacles such as your mailbox or parked cars. If you have more than one cart, please be sure to leave at least three feet between each cart so the automated trucks can pick them up. The cart lid opening should face the road with the cart push handles facing toward your home. Most importantly, have your carts to the road by 7:00 a.m. for collection.

What is Republic Waste Services Holiday Schedule?
Republic observes three holidays a year--Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Collection is as normal on all other holidays. We publish any schedule changes in all of the local papers a couple of weeks before the holiday. You can also call our office at 912-754-4668 or 912-964-2211 for more information.

My 90-gallon cart has a broken wheel and lid – how can I get it repaired?
Please call Republic Waste Services at 912-964-2211.

If a trash can is stolen or damaged due to an accident and you need a replacement cart, please call Republic Waste Services and speak to the Residential Customer Service Representative at 912-964-2211. Tell them you need a replacement can. There may be a replacement fee involved.

Where do I take dry trash? Old furniture? Bulky waste? Yard trimmings?
Our Dry Waste and Collection Site is located at 2750 Courthouse Rd.  The hours of operation are: Monday, Wednesday & Friday - 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday - 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (closed on county holidays)  We accept the following items at a charge of $80.00 par ton (or 4 cents per pound):  yard trimmings, concrete, brick, cured asphalt, furniture, mattresses, old household items, textiles, toys, outdoor furniture and construction/remodeling debris.  Tires will be accepted and charged according to the size of the tire and if they are on the rim or not.  The following recyclables are accepted at no charge:  metal (including washers, dryers, grills, bicycles, aluminum, steel, etc.)  METAL MUST BE CLEAN OF DEBRIS SUCH AS WOOD OR CONCRETE!!  Metal with debris will be charged 4 cents/lb., paper, phone books, magazines, cardboard, newspaper.  **WE CANNOT ACCEPT ANY HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE (KITCHEN OR BATHROOM WASTE) OR ITEMS THAT CONTAIN OR PRODUCE ANY LIQUID WASTE.  PLEASE SECURELY BAG YOUR TRASH AND PLACE IN YOUR 90 GALLON CARTS TO DISPOSE OF THESE ITEMS AT THE CURBSIDE.

Is there any curbside pick-up for bulky waste?
The County does not provide this service. Republic Waste will pick up some items but there is a fee involved.

Is there any curbside pick up for yard trimmings?
The County does not pick up yard trimmings at the curbside. You can receive this service if you live in the city limits in Guyton and Springfield.

Can I burn my yard trimmings?
You will need to check with the covenants for your subdivision and also call the Georgia Forestry Department at 912-754-6932 to get regulations and a burn permit number.

Where do I take recyclables?
Our Courthouse Road site can accept all paper and cardboard and all metals. There are other bins for paper across the county at Georgia Pacific, schools, churches and Wal-Mart. There are also bins across the county that non-profit groups have put out. Call your favorite non-profit and see if they have a bin.

Where can I recycle oils?
At some private auto parts stores.

Where can I recycle batteries?
Some auto shops or at Interstate Battery Company on Hwy 21.

How do I dispose of tires?
We encourage all residents to leave the old tires at the dealer where you purchase new tires. The dealer has to use a permitted waste tire processor to dispose of the tires. Most dealers automatically charge a disposal fee for tires, so let them dispose of the tires properly. If you have old tires around your home, you can bring them to our site on Courthouse Road. There is a charge for tires, depending on the size tire and if it is on the rim or not.  Old tires can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, rats, snakes and other rodents.  Tires can also produce a serious health threat as tires fires are extremely hard to extinguish and can cause our groundwater to become polluted as well as release toxic fumes into the air.  If you wish to keep old tires, our county ordinance states that they must be kept in a dry, covered location.  The minimum fine for improper disposal is $100.  Please be responsible if you choose to keep your tires and dispose of any unwanted tires.

Will Republic pick up trash beside my can?
No. All trash must be bagged securely and placed inside the 90-gallon cart or it will not be picked up. If you have moving boxes, please take them to your nearest recycling location.

What if I have trash that can't go into my 90-gallon cart and cannot be accepted at the site on Courthouse Road?
You can take it to a private landfill--Savannah Regional Industrial Landfill on Gulfstream Road in Port Wentworth and Superior Landfill on Little Neck Road in Bloomingdale.  If you need an additional cart, please call the Zoning Department at 912-754-2105.

I am starting a business or a big project and I need to get a trash can larger than my 90-gallon cart – where can I get one?
There are several businesses that have large metal dumpsters starting from 2-yards on up to 40-yard roll-off containers. Look in the yellow pages under Waste, Trash, Garbage or Sanitation. If you need a bin for metal, look under Recycling.

What do I do if I see someone littering or illegally dumping?
Get as much information about the person, vehicle and location as possible and call the Environmental Code Enforcement Officer at 912-754-4668 immediately.  The minimum fine for improper disposal, littering and illegal dumping is $100 and can also include community service.

Is the Sanitation or Environmental Enforcement program able to come and do presentations?
Yes! Please call 912-754-4668.  We have programs that cover all environmental issues.  If you would like information or web sites and not a full presentation, please call us, we are glad to help!  We are working to establish a teacher/environmental education resource center in our office.

How can I help clean up Effingham?
Please call us at 912-754-4668. We would love to have your help!  We have programs throughout the whole year and desperately need volunteers.  Our slogan is "Effingham's Environment...It's Ours to Keep!"  With your help, we can protect our natural resources for years to come.

If you attempt to send e-mail to a county e-mail address and it is returned with "smtp;521 Server does not accept mail" please contact the information technology department at 912-754-2179 for assistance."

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