canadafloridaThe reference manual

Chapter 02 · Topic 02.6 · Utilities

Florida garbage and recycling by county: rates, frequency, rules

County manages pickup. $200-500/yr on tax bill (non-ad valorem). 1-2x/wk garbage, 1x/2 wk recycling. Yard waste and bulk included per county.

Published 2026-04-28Last reviewed 2026-04-29Reading time ≈ 6 minAuthor CanadaFlorida Editorial Team

Direct answer · 60-second summary

The 60-second version

Florida garbage and recycling pickup is almost always managed by the county or municipality, funded via the property tax bill (non-ad valorem assessment). No opt-out — all residents pay. Typical rate: $200-500/yr per home, auto-added to the Tax Collector's tax bill. Typical pickup: 1-2× per week garbage, 1× per 2 weeks recycling. Many counties also collect yard waste (grass, branches) weekly or bi-monthly. Major counties with managers: Miami-Dade (Department of Solid Waste Management), Broward (Waste Management), Hillsborough (HCSWMD), Orange (Solid Waste Division), Pinellas (Solid Waste).

REFERENCE · ACRONYMS USED IN THIS GUIDE

Acronyms used in this guide

How it works

  • Fee billed on the annual tax bill of the county Tax Collector — non-ad valorem assessments section.
  • No separate monthly bill. No residential opt-out.
  • The county contracts a provider (Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Pro, or municipal).
  • Pickup schedule by address on the county site.

2026 typical rates

County/CityAnnual rateGarbage frequencyRecycling
Miami-Dade (incorp.)~$4802x/wk1x/wk
Broward (Waste Mgmt)~$2802x/wk1x/wk
Hillsborough~$2501x/wk1x/2 wk
Orange (Orlando)~$2801x/wk1x/wk
Pinellas~$3202x/wk1x/wk
Palm Beach~$2501x/wk1x/wk
Lee (Cape Coral, Fort Myers)~$2701x/wk1x/2 wk
Sarasota~$2001x/wk1x/2 wk

Rates indicative; verify county site for current year.

Recycling rules

  • Typical accepted: paper, cardboard, plastic #1 (PETE) and #2 (HDPE), glass, aluminum and ferrous.
  • Rejected: plastics #3-7 often not recycled in FL (gradual change), styrofoam, plastic bags, electronics.
  • County-supplied wheeled recycling bin.
  • Verify county site for exact rules (differences between Miami-Dade, Broward, etc.).

Yard waste and bulk

  • Yard waste: grass, branches < 6 inches. Weekly or bi-monthly pickup in most counties.
  • Bulk pickup: furniture, large items. Often 1x/month on call.
  • Hazardous waste: paint, batteries, electronics. Free county drop-off centers.
  • Construction debris: not included; must be handled by contractor or rented dumpster.

For Canadian snowbird

  • The fee is due even when you're away — automatic on tax bill.
  • The concierge / property manager must put out/return bins if pickup continues (otherwise possible fine for left-out bins).
  • For long absences: bin suspension may be requested (rare, verify county).
  • Check your HOA-specific rules — many require out-of-sight bin storage.

Formulaires officiels et pages de référence

Responsabilité du lecteur

Toujours utiliser la dernière version disponible sur le site officiel cité ci-dessous. Les seuils, taux et délais évoluent. CanadaFlorida ne se substitue pas à un professionnel licencié.

Editorial team

CanadaFlorida Editorial Team

Research drawn from primary public sources cited at the bottom of every guide: U.S. and Florida statutes, U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, official Florida county and state authorities, and Canadian provincial bodies where applicable.

Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.

Sources and references

Public sources verified as of the last review date (Florida Statutes, Florida Department of Revenue, Citizens, FEMA, DBPR).

  1. Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management. miamidade.gov/solidwaste
  2. Broward County Solid Waste. broward.org
  3. Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management Division. hillsboroughcounty.org

Disclaimer

This guide is for educational purpose only. Figures, rates, thresholds, timelines and rules are drawn from public sources at the date shown and may change.

For any concrete decision, consult a Florida-licensed attorney, a cross-border tax attorney, or a Florida-licensed insurance broker.