Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Boca Raton
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.
City-issued Gray/Green Container Bin (Trash)
All household garbage MUST be tied inside bags before placement in the city cart. Overfilled carts with open lids will not be serviced. Place carts curbside by 7:00 AM with handles facing away from the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household waste
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Styrofoam and foam cups
- ✓Soiled paper and wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Yellow Bin (Paper/Cardboard) & Blue Bin (Containers) Bin (Recycling)
Never bag recyclables. Cardboard must be flattened and cut to 2' x 2' maximum size to fit in or next to the Yellow Bin. Rinse containers clean before placing them loosely in the Blue Bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Blue Bin: Plastic containers (#1-#7), glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, drink cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and plastic film [2.2.4]
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-contaminated waste
- ✕Aluminum foil and pie plates
- ✕Electronics and light bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Branches and fronds cannot exceed 4 inches in diameter and 5 feet in length. Place material in the swale area at least 5 feet from trees, mailboxes, and power poles. Do not place debris on driveways.
Accepted Items
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Tree limbs and trimmings
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Shrubbery and garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per week (collected on the same day as recycling and vegetation).
Placement
Place bulk items on the swale at least 5 feet clear of trees, power poles, mailboxes, and garbage containers. Do not place items directly under low-hanging overhead utility lines or branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs, dressers) [1.3.2]
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Televisions and monitors
- ✓ White goods (refrigerators, washers, dryers—doors removed for safety)
- ✓ Bicycles and large toys
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Automobile tires and parts
- ✕ Contractor-generated tree or yard debris
Bulk piles larger than 2 cubic yards require the 'Pay for Pickup Option'. Rates start at a base fee of $161.71 for up to 2 cubic yards plus $35.66 for each additional cubic yard. Call 561-416-3367 to arrange.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Boca Raton suspends sanitation services on specific major holidays. When collection falls on an observed holiday, service is skipped and regularly scheduled pickups resume on your next standard service day.
Yard Waste Exception
Vegetation, recycling, and bulk services falling on a city holiday will be serviced on your next scheduled weekly cycle.
Sign up for text alerts by texting 'SanitationAlert' to 38276 or check www.myboca.us/AlertBoca to receive direct notifications regarding holiday schedule shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Film and Grocery Bags Out
Plastic bags jam SWA sorting machinery. Never put recyclables inside plastic bags; place items loose in your bins, and return plastic shopping bags to recycling drop-off bins at local grocery stores.
Separate Trash from Vegetative Piles
City crews will not pick up vegetative waste if it is mixed with bulk junk, construction debris, or general trash. Keep your lawn trimmings in a distinct pile at least 5 feet away from bulk items.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season Prep
June - NovemberDuring named tropical storm or hurricane warnings, stop all tree trimming immediately. Secure all rolling carts and recycling bins indoors. Uncollected yard trimmings or bulk items left on the swale can turn into dangerous windborne projectiles.
Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryReal Christmas trees can be placed on the swale for weekly vegetative pickup after all lights, tinsel, stand, and decorations are removed. Plain paper wrapping is accepted in Yellow Bins, but foil or glitter-covered wrapping paper belongs in regular trash.
Spring Cleaning
March - MayWhen clearing out clutter, keep weekly bulk piles under 2 cubic yards (washer/dryer size) to avoid overage fees. If hiring commercial contractors for landscaping or home remodeling, ensure they haul away their own debris as city ordinance prohibits municipal pickup of contractor waste.
About Boca Raton Waste Management
Understanding the SWA Dual-Bin Recycling Program
Boca Raton participates in the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) of Palm Beach County's dual-bin recycling framework, which requires residents to sort materials at home. The Yellow Bin is exclusively designated for dry paper products and cardboard, while the Blue Bin collects rigid containers including glass bottles, metal cans, and plastic containers. A critical rule for corrugated cardboard boxes is that they must be cut down to 2-foot by 2-foot pieces or smaller before entering or sitting next to the Yellow Bin; any oversized or unflattened boxes are left for bulk truck removal.
Curbside Bulk Item Pickup and Volume Limits
Single-family homes in Boca Raton receive weekly bulk item pickup on the same scheduled day as recycling and vegetative waste. The city includes collection for up to two cubic yards of bulk waste—equivalent to the volume of a standard washing machine and dryer—at no extra charge. If you have extensive home cleanouts exceeding two cubic yards, you can utilize the city's 'Pay for Pickup Option' by calling ahead to request a special haul, which starts at a minimum base fee.
Vegetative Yard Waste Rules and Driveway Protection
Palm fronds, tree trimmings, and grass clippings are gathered once a week alongside bulk waste. All branches and vegetative pieces must adhere to size limits: max 4 inches in diameter and 5 feet in length. To protect residential infrastructure, place yard debris directly on the grass swale rather than on concrete driveways, as heavy claw loaders can crack driveway surfaces and the city will not cover asphalt or paver repairs.
Drop-off Facilities
SWA South County Transfer Station
1901 SW 4th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444
Materials Accepted
SWA Southwest County Transfer Station
13400 S State Rd 7, Delray Beach, FL 33446
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request new or replacement yellow and blue recycling bins in Boca Raton?
If you live within Boca Raton city limits, you can request new or replacement recycling bins delivered directly to your home at no cost by calling the Sanitation Division at 561-416-3367. To dispose of a broken bin, place it inside your regular city garbage cart or leave it with bulk items accompanied by a note asking for removal.
What is the size limit for cardboard boxes in the yellow recycling bin?
Corrugated cardboard must be flattened and cut into pieces measuring 2 feet by 2 feet or smaller before placing them in or beside your yellow recycling bin. Boxes larger than 2x2 feet that are left whole will not be taken by recycling drivers and will be picked up later by the bulk waste truck.
Will the city pick up yard trimmings or construction waste left by a private contractor?
No. Under Boca Raton City Ordinance, municipal crews will not remove vegetative waste, bulk junk, or construction materials generated by private contractors or hired landscaping companies. Private vendors are required to haul away and dispose of all waste they create.
What should I do if my bulk trash pile exceeds 2 cubic yards?
If your bulk waste exceeds 2 cubic yards (roughly the volume of a washer and dryer unit), you must arrange a 'Pay for Pickup Option' by calling the Sanitation Department at 561-416-3367. Fees start at $161.71 for the initial volume plus $35.66 per additional cubic yard.