Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Delray Beach
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone (twice weekly)
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (once weekly)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (once weekly)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services are billed monthly alongside city water and sewer utilities.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Standard City Roll-Out Cart Bin (Trash)
Cart must be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m. but no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day prior. Carts must not exceed 50 pounds in weight if using personal cans for rear/side door service.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food waste and kitchen scraps
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Soiled paper and pizza boxes
Blue Bin and Yellow Bin (Dual-Stream) Bin (Recycling)
Separate materials into the respective blue and yellow bins. Place bins out no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day prior and remove by 7:00 p.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Blue Bin: Plastic containers, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, drink boxes.
- ✓Yellow Bin: Newspapers, magazines, mail, office paper, flattened cardboard.
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Light bulbs
- ✕Pizza boxes
Yard Waste Bin
Branches cannot exceed 6 feet in length or 50 lbs. Grass and hedge clippings MUST be bagged and weigh under 50 lbs. Do not mix with other refuse.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Branches
- ✓Bagged grass clippings
- ✓Hedge trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Collected on your scheduled bulk day.
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb, not blocking drains, meters, driveways, sidewalks, or mailboxes. Placing bulk outside approved times incurs an $11.50 per cubic yard fee.
Accepted
- ✓ Refrigerators and washing machines
- ✓ Lawn mowers
- ✓ Couches and bedding
- ✓ Wood fences (up to 6 feet in length)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Boats and junk cars
- ✕ Boulders
- ✕ Tree trunks
Compliant bulk loads are included in standard service. Code violations for early or improper placement will result in a minimum $11.50 fee billed directly to your water account.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage is collected Monday through Friday on all standard holidays, with the explicit exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On these two days, there is no trash, recycling, or yard waste collection.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday suspension rule as standard residential garbage.
For any unexpected route delays, residents can contact the Waste Management dispatch complaints line directly at 561-202-2463.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane is tracking toward Palm Beach County, immediately stop placing bulk waste or yard trimmings at the curb. Secure all bins and loose items inside your garage to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
Winter Holidays
November to DecemberDelray Beach works on almost all holidays, but Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day are the two strict exceptions where all garbage, recycling, and yard waste services are suspended.
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
March to OctoberLitter on coastal streets can easily blow into the Atlantic. Ensure your cart lids are tightly closed and your recycling bins are secured on windy days to protect nesting sea turtles and marine life.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans and Bottles into Cold Cash in Delray Beach?
Ever wondered if those aluminum cans and plastic bottles could actually earn you a few bucks? In Florida, we've got the Bottle Bill, which means you can get 10 cents back for most beverage containers. While Delray Beach doesn't have its own dedicated buyback center right in town, you can often find redemption centers in nearby areas like Boca Raton or Boynton Beach. Keep an eye out at local grocery stores too, as many now offer in-store recycling for bottles and cans. It's a little effort for a little reward, and it keeps a lot of plastic out of our landfills!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Delray Beach
Before you toss those slightly-worn clothes, furniture that's still in good shape, or household items you no longer need, think about donating them! Delray Beach has some great local spots. Consider checking out the Palm Beach Habitat for Humanity ReStore on North Military Trail in West Palm Beach – they take furniture, appliances, and building materials. Goodwill Industries of South Florida also has locations nearby that are always happy to accept donations. It’s a fantastic way to help others and clear out your clutter at the same time!
Keeping Delray Beach Clean: Tackling Bulky Items and Dumping
We all want our neighborhoods to look their best, right? If you have bulky items that don't fit in your regular bin, remember to check Delray Beach's guidelines for special pickups or designated drop-off times, which you can usually find on the city's official website or by calling them at 561-742-6000. When it comes to illegal dumping, it's a serious issue that affects everyone. If you see someone dumping trash illegally, it's best to report it to the city immediately. They have specific departments that handle these violations to keep our streets clean and beautiful.
Drop-off Facilities
Home Chemical and Recycling Center - Delray Beach (East)
1901 SW 4th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444
Materials Accepted
Home Chemical and Recycling Center - Delray Beach (West)
13400 South State Road 7, Delray Beach, FL 33446
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What holidays does Delray Beach stop picking up trash?
The City of Delray Beach operates its waste collection routes on almost all standard holidays. The only two days of the year with no trash, recycling, or yard waste collection are Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
What goes in the yellow recycling bin versus the blue recycling bin?
Delray Beach uses Palm Beach County's dual-bin system. The yellow bin is exclusively for paper products and flattened cardboard. The blue bin is reserved for rigid plastic containers, glass bottles, and metal cans.
Can I put large tree trunks out for bulk yard waste pickup?
No. The city's bulk waste guidelines explicitly prohibit large tree trunks and boulders. Tree trimmings and branches must be no longer than 6 feet and weigh less than 50 pounds.
What happens if I put my bulk trash or yard waste out on the wrong day?
If vegetative waste or bulk trash is placed curbside outside of authorized time periods, the city or its contractor will collect it and automatically charge you a special collection fee of $11.50 per cubic yard, which will be added to your water bill.