Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bradenton
Trash Day
Twice weekly (Monday & Thursday or Tuesday & Friday based on route)
Recycling
No curbside pickup (drop-off convenience centers available throughout the city)
Yard Waste
Once weekly on your designated route day (Monday through Friday)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste and yard waste service charges are bundled directly into your monthly City of Bradenton municipal utility bill alongside water and sewer.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
City-provided garbage cart Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be securely bagged to prevent windblown litter. Place your cart at the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated collection day, ensuring it is at least 3 feet away from parked cars, mailboxes, and utility poles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Plastic bags
- ✓Styrofoam
Drop-off only (No curbside bins) Bin (Recycling)
Curbside collection is suspended. Residents must bring clean, dry, and unbagged recyclables to a designated City of Bradenton Recycling Convenience Center. Insert items into the specialized slots.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Clean paper and mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Household trash
Yard Waste Bin
Place small vegetative debris into your repurposed blue 'Yard Waste Only' cart. Larger branches must be cut to 4 feet or shorter, tied into bundles, and weigh less than 50 pounds per bundle.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by appointment only
Placement
Items must be at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled day. You must call to schedule the pickup within 48 hours of setting the items out to avoid a $300 illegal dumping penalty.
Accepted
- ✓ Refrigerators (doors must be removed)
- ✓ Stoves, dishwashers, and washers/dryers
- ✓ Water heaters
- ✓ Furniture (couches, mattresses, chairs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Propane tanks
A flat fee of $10.00 per item is charged for bulk collection. This fee is not paid upfront but is instead added to your upcoming municipal utility bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a city-observed holiday falls on your scheduled pickup day, garbage and yard waste collections will typically be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday). Normal schedules resume the following Monday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard household trash.
Because recycling is now operating on a drop-off model, the city's Recycling Convenience Centers remain accessible 24/7 regardless of municipal holiday closures.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring named tropical storm or hurricane warnings, immediately stop all major yard pruning and secure your trash carts indoors. Do not place bulk items at the curb, as high winds turn unsecured piles into severe projectile hazards.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
Late December - JanuaryWith the influx of holiday deliveries, cardboard boxes accumulate quickly. You must break down and flatten all corrugated cardboard completely flat before taking it to a Recycling Convenience Center so the container slots do not jam.
Snowbird Season
Winter/SpringAs seasonal residents flock to Bradenton during the winter and early spring, the volume of residential waste surges. Always ensure your trash cart is out by 6:00 AM, as collection route times frequently fluctuate to accommodate heavier loads.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash for Your Cans? Bradenton's Recycling Rewards
Hey neighbors! While our curbside bins are great, did you know some of your recyclable treasures can actually earn you a few bucks? In Manatee County, which includes Bradenton, look for places like ABC Recycling right here in town. They often take metals and other materials. For those familiar with Florida's bottle bill, you can get a refund on beverage containers, so keep those clean cans and bottles separate if you're looking to cash in. It's a neat way to give your recyclables a second life and get a little something back.
Give Your Old Stuff a New Home in Bradenton
Got items that are still in good shape but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, think about donating! Bradenton has some fantastic spots that would love your contributions. The Salvation Army Family Store on Cortez Road is a popular choice for clothes, household goods, and furniture. And don't forget Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which accepts building materials, appliances, and gently used home furnishings. It's a win-win: you declutter, and someone else gets what they need.
Keeping Our Bradenton Streets Clean: Report Dumping!
Nobody likes seeing trash piled up where it shouldn't be. If you happen to spot illegal dumping in or around Bradenton, the City of Bradenton Solid Waste Management Department wants to know! You can usually report this by calling them directly. They also sometimes have special collection events for things like electronics or hazardous waste – keeping an eye on the city's official announcements for these can help you get rid of tricky items responsibly and keep our community beautiful.
Drop-off Facilities
Lena Road Landfill (Manatee County)
3333 Lena Road, Bradenton, FL 34211
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Bradenton have curbside recycling?
No. In June 2022, the city indefinitely suspended curbside recycling due to severe staffing shortages and high contamination rates. Residents must now take clean recyclables to one of the 10+ Recycling Convenience Centers located around the city.
What am I supposed to do with my old blue recycling cart?
When the curbside recycling program ended, the city repurposed the blue recycling carts into yard waste carts. They are now tagged with 'Yard Waste Only' stickers and should be used strictly for leaves, grass clippings, and small twigs.
How do I get rid of an old couch or refrigerator in Bradenton?
Bradenton operates an on-demand bulk pickup system. You must place the item at the curb and call Public Works at 941-708-6340 within 48 hours to schedule the pickup. You will be billed a flat $10.00 fee per item on your next utility bill.
What happens if I leave bulk trash at the curb without calling?
Failing to notify the Public Works department within 48 hours of placing bulk items at the curb is considered illegal dumping. The city strictly enforces this rule and will add a $300 penalty fee directly to your utility bill.