Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Coral Gables
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.
Resident-provided (Metal or Plastic) Bin (Trash)
Residents must use up to two privately purchased 10-to-32-gallon cans. Cans must be kept on the side or rear of the home, out of street view. Ensure side gates are unlocked on service days. Bags must not exceed 50 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food scraps and packaging
- ✓Tissues
- ✓Double-bagged cat litter
Green/Blue City-Provided Bins Bin (Recycling)
Do not place recycling bins outdoors until the night before your collection day. Keep items clean, dry, and entirely loose (unbagged). Flatten all cardboard boxes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Narrow neck plastic bottles and tubs
- ✓Paper, magazines, and envelopes
- ✓Clear, green, and brown glass
- ✓Cereal boxes and flattened cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and films
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Aluminum foil
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Garden hoses and wire hangers
- ✕Window glass and mirrors
Yard Waste Bin
Place yard debris in the swale or trash pit in front of the property. You are allowed up to 1 cubic yard (approx. 3x3 feet) of debris for standard collection. Excess yard waste is billed at $15 per cubic yard.
Accepted Items
- ✓Loose shrubs
- ✓Tree branches
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment Only
Placement
Once your appointment is confirmed, place the furniture or appliance in the swale strictly after 6:00 p.m. on the night before your scheduled special collection date.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and couches
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers
- ✓ Washing machines and dryers
- ✓ Large household appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials (glass, sand, drywall)
- ✕ Paints and solvents
- ✕ Hazardous household chemicals
- ✕ Cardboard boxes
The city charges a flat $50 fee per bulk furniture or appliance item collected. Additionally, any standard yard debris exceeding the 1 cubic yard limit is billed at $15 per cubic yard.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Coral Gables Solid Waste Division generally collects on standard schedules, but services may be altered or delayed by one day during major federal holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Yard Waste Exception
Swale yard waste and scheduled bulk appliance collections are also suspended during major observed municipal holidays.
Always check the Coral Gables official website or sign up for the city's e-news alerts to confirm precise holiday schedule shifts for your neighborhood.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Drop Off Your Plastic Bags
Never put thin plastic grocery bags or dry cleaning film in your curbside recycling bin. Instead, utilize the City's NexTrex drop-off bins located at the Adult Activity Center, War Memorial Youth Center, or the Parking & Mobility Services Office.
Leave the Right Caps On
When recycling plastic bottles, leave the plastic caps on. However, if you are recycling glass jars or bottles that feature lids with rubber seals or separate plastic linings, those caps must be removed and thrown in the regular trash.
Wrap and Secure Broken Glass
Because Coral Gables utilizes a manual garbage collection system where workers physically lift your trash bags out of your cans, any broken household glass must be heavily wrapped in newspaper or secured in a box inside the bag to prevent severe lacerations.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Fall
April and NovemberTwice a year, Coral Gables hosts a highly popular Bi-Annual Recycling Drive-Thru event in the City Hall parking lot. This is the perfect time to safely dispose of household hazardous waste, old electronics, shred sensitive documents, and donate clothing.
Summer
June - NovemberDuring Florida's active hurricane season, the city mandates that residents secure all garbage cans indoors if a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued. Never place yard debris in your swale when severe weather is approaching.
Year-Round
January - DecemberLooking to reduce your waste footprint? Coral Gables runs a free Community Composting Program drop-off at the Coral Gables Library, providing residents with compostable bags to divert food scraps away from the local landfill.
About Coral Gables Waste Management
The Unique Premium Side-Yard Garbage Service
Unlike most municipalities that require residents to roll heavy carts to the curb, the City of Coral Gables utilizes a premium manual side-yard collection system for single-family homes. Sanitation workers physically walk to the side or rear of your property to empty your trash. As a strict city code, garbage cans must never be placed in the swale, driveway, or front of the house, and they must remain completely hidden from street view.
Resident-Provided Garbage Receptacles
The city does not provide rolling trash carts for household garbage. Residents are responsible for purchasing their own heavy-duty galvanized metal or plastic garbage cans. Each single-family household is limited to a maximum of two containers, each holding between 10 and 32 gallons. Ensure your cans are fully closed with securely fitting lids to prevent wildlife from accessing your household waste.
Coral Gables Swales and Trash Pits
Yard debris and small household items are collected weekly directly from the unpaved swale or designated 'trash pit' in front of your property. While yard trimmings can be staged in the swale before your collection day, bagged organic matter and acceptable small household items can only be placed out after 6 p.m. on the night preceding your scheduled pickup. Trash pits must maintain a five-foot clearance from trees, water meters, and storm drains.
Strict Cardboard Enforcement and Fines
Properly disposing of cardboard is a major priority in Coral Gables. Residents must flatten or cut down all corrugated boxes and place them strictly inside or next to their city-provided 14-gallon recycling bins. Discarding cardboard into a swale or trash pit is strictly prohibited and can result in severe code enforcement penalties, including fines of up to $500 per violation.
Single-Family vs. Multi-Family Services
The Coral Gables Public Works Solid Waste Division exclusively services single-family residential homes. If you live in an apartment, condominium, duplex, or manage a commercial property within the city limits, your waste collection is legally handled by Waste Management of Dade County. Multi-family residents should contact Waste Management directly for their specific dumpster schedules and bulk pickup rules.
Drop-off Facilities
Miami-Dade West-Dade Home Chemical Collection Center
8801 NW 58 Street, Doral, FL 33178
Materials Accepted
Coral Gables Police and Fire Headquarters (Sharps Drop-off)
2151 Salzedo Street, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to roll my garbage cans to the curb on collection day in Coral Gables?
No. Coral Gables offers a manual side-yard collection service. Your garbage cans must remain on the side or rear of your home, completely out of view from the street. On collection day, ensure your side gates are unlocked so sanitation workers can access and empty your cans.
Does the City of Coral Gables provide me with a free trash cart?
The city provides 14-gallon recycling bins, but it does not provide garbage cans. Residents are responsible for purchasing their own metal or plastic cans. You are allowed up to two cans, and each must be between 10 and 32 gallons in size with a secure lid.
Can I throw cardboard boxes into my front swale trash pit?
Absolutely not. Cardboard is strictly prohibited in the swale and trash pits. Placing cardboard in these areas is a code violation that can result in a fine of up to $500. All cardboard must be flattened and placed inside or next to your city-provided recycling bin.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or sofa?
Large appliances and furniture require a special scheduled bulk pickup and incur a $50 fee per item. You must email [email protected] or call 305-460-5346 to schedule the collection. Only after scheduling may you place the item out (after 6 p.m. the night before your pickup date).