Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Boca Raton
Trash Day
Monday & Thursday or Tuesday & Friday (twice weekly based on area)
Recycling
Once weekly on designated collection day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday)
Yard Waste
Once weekly on the same day as recycling
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (no earlier than 7:00 PM the night before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential sanitation and recycling fees are bundled directly into your bi-monthly City of Boca Raton water and sewer utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Bi-monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Bank Draft), Mail, Phone
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Pocket Some Change with Boca's Scrap & Bottle Redemptions!
Did you know you can turn those aluminum cans and plastic bottles into cash right here in our neck of the woods? While Boca Raton doesn't have its own dedicated city-run buyback center, keep an eye out for scrap metal yards in nearby areas like West Palm Beach or Pompano Beach that often take aluminum, steel, and other metals. For those redeemable bottles and cans, Florida has a statewide program, so make sure to check those deposit amounts and collect your returns before they head to the landfill!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Boca
Instead of tossing items that are still in good shape, why not give them a new home? Boca Raton has some fantastic options for donating. Consider the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on South Dixie Highway – they happily accept furniture, appliances, and building materials, helping fund their affordable housing projects. You can also find local thrift stores and charity shops throughout Boca and Delray Beach that are always looking for clothing, housewares, and books. It’s a win-win: declutter your space and help a neighbor!
Keeping Boca Beautiful: Tackling Trash Together
Let's keep Boca Raton looking its best! If you happen to notice illegal dumping – that's when folks leave trash or bulk items where they shouldn't – the City of Boca Raton wants to know. You can usually report this by calling the Solid Waste Management Department. For those looking to get involved in a more proactive way, keep an eye on community bulletin boards and the city's website for announcements about neighborhood clean-up events, especially around parks and waterways. Participating in these events is a great way to meet fellow residents and make a visible difference.
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.