Decatur began separate glass recycling Friday with a few early glitches.

The city is still waiting on collector Latham Home Sanitation to complete building a truck with separate compartments for glass and co-mingled recycling. For now Latham is picking up all co-mingled recycling on its first run, than doubling back on the same route for glass.

Assistant City Manager David Junger admitted Monday that not all glass has been picked up, and that some residents are still mixing glass with other recyclables. He emphasized that residents should keep their separate glass recycling on the curb and that Latham will eventually pick it up.

He also said the city is still considering whether to provide a same-color bin for glass (as was done over 20 years ago), although in an online survey last spring over 70 percent responding said they’d furnish their own bin.

Beginning July 1 Decatur residents have had to provide a separate container, less than 18 gallons, for glass, with the sanitation fee increasing from $250 to $275.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC