Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Altamonte Springs
Florida residential routes generally operate Monday through Friday. Your specific household collection depends on your local county zoning map.
State Mandate
Do not mix yard trimmings with regular household garbage.
Standard City-Issued Cart (typically Green/Dark) Bin (Trash)
Use the City-issued 64-gallon cart or an approved bear-resistant cart with a compatible lift bar. Place curbside by 7:00 a.m. and remove by 7:00 p.m. on collection day. Keep carts clear of drainage walkways and mailboxes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard packaging
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place your two City-issued recycling bins at the curb by 7:00 a.m. All materials must be mixed loosely. Lids must be removed from all plastic and glass containers prior to recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and pasteboard
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (clear, green, brown)
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- ✓Newspapers, junk mail, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam (egg cartons, cups)
- ✕Pizza boxes and wax-coated cardboard
- ✕Electronic devices
- ✕Light bulbs and broken window glass
- ✕Plastic lids and bottle caps
Yard Waste Bin
Collected only on Wednesdays. Yard waste must be bagged, canned, or tied into bundles. Bundles cannot exceed 4 feet in length or 4 inches in branch diameter. Max weight is 50 lbs per container, max 15 containers per week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only (except during March Spring Cleanup)
Placement
Once scheduled and paid for, items must be placed curbside (between the curb and sidewalk) away from mailboxes, cars, and low-hanging tree branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Large tree trimmings and stumps
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Paint and motor oil
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
A minimum fee of $70 applies to all special large item pickups outside of the free March Spring Cleanup window.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Altamonte Springs is highly dependable and collects on almost all holidays that fall on your normal collection day, including Thanksgiving.
Yard Waste Exception
Wednesday yard waste schedules generally remain unaffected unless a major emergency or Christmas Day happens to fall exactly on a Wednesday.
The only standard holiday where garbage and recycling operations are fully suspended is Christmas Day (December 25). If your service day falls on Christmas, the city will issue a modified pickup alert.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Remove Lids from Glass and Plastics
Unlike many neighboring municipalities, Altamonte Springs specifically requires you to remove and discard all plastic and metal lids from your bottles and jars before placing the empty containers into your recycling bin.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The city firmly rejects any recyclable materials placed inside plastic garbage or grocery bags. Materials must be loose in your bins; otherwise, they will be left at the curb or treated as standard trash.
Clean Out Food Residue
Due to the area's high bear and pest populations, it is critical that all food cans, glass jars, and plastic containers are thoroughly rinsed. Residual food odors easily attract Florida black bears to your property.
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryLive Christmas trees are collected seamlessly as part of your normal Wednesday yard waste service throughout the entire month of January. Ensure all tinsel, lights, and ornaments are completely removed.
Spring
MarchTake advantage of the annual Spring Cleanup event typically held in early March. This is your chance to clear out large household items, oversized branches, and appliances for free, avoiding the standard $70 special pickup fee.
Summer
June - NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching Seminole County, immediately secure all refuse carts and bear-resistant containers inside your garage. Do not place yard clippings or heavy bulk items on the curb during severe weather warnings.
About Altamonte Springs Waste Management
Geographic Scheduling Divided by Interstate 4
The City of Altamonte Springs ensures efficient sanitation by operating its own municipal fleet, offering residential household garbage collection twice a week. The schedule is uniquely structured around a major geographic divider: residences located on the east side of I-4 receive service on Tuesdays and Fridays, while those on the west side of I-4 are serviced on Mondays and Thursdays.
Navigating the Seminole County Bear Ordinance
Because Altamonte Springs is nestled within a known wildlife corridor, residents must strictly adhere to the Seminole County Urban Bear Management Ordinance. To deter bear activity, homeowners must either store standard garbage carts securely indoors until 5:00 a.m. on their collection day, or utilize an approved bear-resistant container equipped with reinforced lids and heavy-duty latches if storing trash outdoors.
Semi-Automated Cart Systems and Modern Trucks
The city recently modernized its fleet to feature a semi-automated collection system utilizing specialized cart tippers. Altamonte Springs provides free 64-gallon, logo-stamped refuse carts that integrate perfectly with these lift bars. Additionally, the city has transitioned to rear-load recycling trucks—marked with distinct 'Recycling Only' magnets—which allows them to compact materials on the go and accept much larger cardboard boxes than before.
The Annual Spring Cleanup Advantage
While standard bulky item removal carries a minimum $70 fee year-round, Altamonte Springs offers a highly anticipated free 'Spring Cleanup' event each March. During this two-week window, residents can place oversized furniture, household appliances, and large tree limbs (up to 10 feet long) curbside on their normal collection days without incurring any extra charges.
Wednesday is Dedicated Yard Waste Day
Vegetative debris and yard clippings are never mixed with household garbage. Instead, the city dedicates every Wednesday exclusively to yard waste collection for all residents. Crews will manually collect up to 15 neatly containerized bags or tied bundles of branches per household, provided each unit adheres to the strict 50-pound weight limit.
Drop-off Facilities
Seminole County Central Transfer Station
1950 State Road 419, Longwood, FL 32750
Materials Accepted
City Hall Recycling Drop-Off
225 Newburyport Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to use a bear-resistant garbage can in Altamonte Springs?
Under the Seminole County Urban Bear Management Ordinance, you are required to use an approved bear-resistant container ONLY if you store your trash outdoors or place it at the curb before 5:00 a.m. on your collection day. If you secure your standard cart in a locked garage or shed and bring it out after 5:00 a.m., a bear-resistant cart is not mandatory.
Where can I dispose of an old television or computer?
The City of Altamonte Springs does not collect electronic waste at the curb. You must transport unwanted TVs, computers, and other e-waste to the Seminole County Central Transfer Station located at 1950 State Road 419 in Longwood.
How much does it cost to throw away an old couch or mattress?
If you need a bulky item like a couch removed outside of the annual Spring Cleanup event in March, you must schedule a special pickup by calling 407-571-8607. There is a minimum flat charge of $70 for this service.
What are the rules for Wednesday yard waste collection?
Yard waste is strictly collected on Wednesdays. Residents are allowed a maximum of 15 containers or bundles per week. Loose leaves and grass must be bagged or canned, and branches must be tied into bundles no longer than 4 feet. No single bag, can, or bundle may weigh more than 50 pounds.