Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cutler Bay
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.
Green Cart Bin (Trash)
All waste must be bagged and fit entirely inside the green cart with the lid closed. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection days and positioned 3 feet away from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place items loosely in the blue cart. The cart is collected every other week on a designated schedule (e.g., Monday-A or Monday-B).
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clean, dry paper and magazines
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Glass (often rejected; verify local zone rules)
- ✕Food waste or greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Batteries and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Small yard waste must be bagged and placed inside the green garbage cart. Large branches or palm fronds require scheduling a bulky waste pickup via 311.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) pickups per calendar year
Placement
Items must not be placed on the swale prior to obtaining a pickup confirmation. Place items curbside no earlier than 3 days prior to the scheduled date.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and mattresses (sealed in plastic)
- ✓ Large tree limbs and palm fronds
- ✓ Household appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Wooden fencing (up to 3 cubic yards)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Dirt, rock, or concrete
The two annual pickups are included in your tax bill. Exceeding your limit or placing items out without an appointment can result in civil violation fines.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management suspends collection services exclusively on MLK Jr. Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. Service operates normally on all other holidays, including Thanksgiving.
Yard Waste Exception
Because standard yard waste goes into the green cart, it follows the exact same holiday suspension schedule.
If your normal collection day falls on one of the three suspended holidays, your service will resume on your next regularly scheduled pickup day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Never place your recyclables inside a plastic grocery bag or garbage bag. Bagged recyclables jam the processing equipment at the county facility. Keep all items completely loose in the blue cart.
Seal Mattresses for Bulk Pickup
If you are using your bulky waste allowance to throw away a mattress, Miami-Dade County strictly requires that it be completely sealed in a plastic mattress bag or sleeve. Unsealed mattresses will be left behind to prevent the spread of bedbugs.
Ditch the Tanglers
Items like garden hoses, holiday lights, ropes, and extension cords do not belong in the recycling bin. These 'tanglers' destroy automated sorting machines. Throw them in your green garbage cart.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring a tropical storm or hurricane watch, immediately stop all major yard trimming and do not place bulk waste at the curb. Empty bins and loose debris become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryDo not place whole Christmas trees in your green cart. Miami-Dade County offers specialized Christmas tree recycling drop-off centers, or you can cut the tree into small pieces to fit inside the cart over several weeks.
Spring Cleaning
March - MaySpring is the busiest time for bulky waste appointments. Schedule your 25-cubic-yard pickup well in advance via the 311 system, as wait times can increase significantly during these months.
About Cutler Bay Waste Management
Municipal Waste Collection in Cutler Bay
For the majority of Cutler Bay residents, garbage and recycling services are seamlessly provided through Miami-Dade County's Department of Solid Waste Management. Most single-family homes receive reliable twice-a-week garbage collection utilizing the standard green rolling carts. However, it is important to note that if you live within a specific Homeowners Association (HOA), you may have a private contract with Waste Management (WM) or another provider. Always verify with your HOA first if you are new to a private subdivision.
Navigating the Every-Other-Week Recycling Schedule
Cutler Bay adheres to Miami-Dade County's bi-weekly recycling collection schedule. Residents are provided with a large blue cart designed for single-stream recycling, meaning all clean paper, flattened cardboard, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans can be mixed together. The key to ensuring your materials are actually recycled is keeping the bin free of contaminants. Wet food waste or items wrapped in plastic grocery bags will cause the entire load to be rejected by the sorting facility.
Managing South Florida Yard Debris
Keeping Cutler Bay's landscapes pristine requires proper yard waste disposal. Small vegetative debris, such as grass clippings and leaves, must be bagged and placed directly into your green garbage cart alongside your regular household trash. For larger tree limbs and heavy palm fronds, residents must schedule a bulky waste pickup. Do not place massive, unbagged yard waste piles on the swale without a confirmed appointment, as this violates code enforcement rules.
Utilizing Your Free Bulky Waste Pickups
Every household serviced by Miami-Dade County in Cutler Bay is entitled to two free bulky waste pickups per calendar year, each allowing up to 25 cubic yards of material. This is perfect for disposing of old furniture, mattresses, or large post-storm yard debris. You must schedule this service in advance by dialing 311 or booking through the county's website. If you are throwing away a mattress, remember that it must be completely encased in a plastic bag and sealed to protect workers from bedbugs.
Drop-off Facilities
Moody Drive Trash and Recycling Center
12970 SW 268th St, Homestead, FL 33032
Materials Accepted
South Dade Home Chemical Collection Center
3707 S.W. 97th Ave., Gate B, Miami, FL
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulky waste pickup in Cutler Bay?
Since Cutler Bay is serviced by Miami-Dade County, you must schedule your bulk pickup by calling 311, dialing 305-468-5900, or booking online via the county's Bulky Appointment System. You are allotted two 25-cubic-yard pickups per year.
Why wasn't my mattress collected during bulk pickup?
Miami-Dade County requires that all mattresses placed at the curb be fully encased in a plastic mattress bag or sleeve and sealed shut with weather-resistant tape to prevent the spread of bedbugs. Unsealed mattresses will not be collected.
Where should I put my grass clippings and yard waste?
Unlike some municipalities, Miami-Dade requires you to bag your grass clippings, leaves, and small yard trimmings and place them directly into your green garbage cart alongside your regular household trash.
Will my garbage be picked up on Thanksgiving Day in Cutler Bay?
Yes. The Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management only suspends service on three holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Independence Day (July 4th), and Christmas Day. On Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, and all other holidays, service operates normally.