Hey, what’s up with my solid waste pickup?
Solid waste, recycling, and bulk collection services are occasionally delayed one day due to holidays and inclement weather. When the start of services is delayed due to potentially hazardous road conditions, the priority is the safety of collection crews.
All solid waste and recycling services will be delayed by one day the week of January 25, 2026. Residents should place their carts at the curb one day after their regular service day to ensure pickup. For example, residents whose regular collection day is Monday should place their carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
Yard debris will be collected as soon as possible, given current weather conditions. Public Works is prioritizing solid waste and recycling pickups. Residents are asked to leave yard debris at the curb until it can be collected.
Residents with bulk collections scheduled for this week will receive notifications regarding rescheduled service times.
For questions or assistance, please contact ATL311 at 404-546-0311 or visit at l311.com. Users can find their solid waste collection schedule, set alerts, schedule a bulk pickup, and determine which items are recyclable at atlantaga.gov/solidwaste.
Keeping up with ATL Parks & Rec
Explore What’s Happening in January with the Department of Parks & Recreation. Follow this link to learn more about: Winter Break Camp, Esports League, Lifeguard training programs, Youth Track & Field, Youth Afterschool Programs, and much more.
Your Nieghborhood Planning Unit NPU-N
Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) system was established in 1974 by Maynard Jackson, the city’s first Black mayor, as a cornerstone of his effort to democratize city government. It was designed to replace the exclusionary practices of the previous Board of Aldermen system with a structure that prioritized grassroots citizen participation.
History and Origins
The NPU system was born during a period of radical change in Atlanta’s governance. Under the 1973 City Charter, the old "Board of Aldermen" was replaced by a more modern City Council, and the NPU system was enshrined in the charter to ensure its permanence.
The system divided the city into 25 geographic units (lettered A through Z, excluding U). These units act as citizen advisory councils that make formal recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on:
Zoning and Land Use: Reviewing property rezonings and variances.
Licensing: Providing input on liquor licenses and special event permits.
City Planning: Actively participating in the Comprehensive Development Plan, the city's long-term vision.
Resolving Problems with the Alderman System
The transition to the NPU system was specifically intended to address several inherent flaws in the previous Aldermanic model:
Centralized Control vs. Grassroots Input: The Alderman system often centralized power among a small group of influential politicians and business interests. The NPU system shifted this power by giving every resident and business owner a designated, official forum to voice concerns before legislation ever reached the City Council.
Systemic Disenfranchisement: Historically, minority and lower-income neighborhoods had little to no say in the development of their communities. Mayor Jackson created the NPUs to ensure that historically disenfranchised citizens would have a seat at the table, preventing politicians from ignoring their needs in favor of large-scale, often disruptive urban projects (like the highway expansions of the 1960s).
Lack of Transparency: Decision-making under the old system was often opaque. The NPUs established a direct channel of communication between city departments and residents, requiring city planners to attend monthly meetings to provide updates on public safety, infrastructure, and legislative changes.
Inflexible Geography: While the Alderman system was tied strictly to political districts, the NPU system was built around neighborhood identities. This allowed communities with shared interests to organize collectively, regardless of which council district they fell into.
Today, the NPU system remains the primary vehicle for civic engagement in Atlanta, though it continues to face modern challenges regarding participation rates and administrative reform.
Atlanta is a city of neighborhoods
Our city's strong neighborhood identity is part of what makes Atlanta so special. Neighborhoods are the stage of daily life and connect us to our history, our local amenities, and, of course, our neighbors! Atlanta is comprised of over 240 unique neighborhoods, which are grouped in to 25 Neighborhood Planning Units, or NPUs. Poncey Highland is one of eight neighborhoods included in NPU-N
The NPUs are the official avenue for residents to express concerns and provide input in developing plans to address the needs of each neighborhood, as well as to receive updates from the City government. Each neighborhood has a representative at their local NPU board. For Poncey Highland Neighborhood Association, your representative has two primary goals: to vote and communicate on behalf of the neighborhood, and to communicate back to the neighborhood relevant information.
To read more about the NPU system, click the link and browse the official website.