Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Dunedin
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/Black Cart Bin (Trash)
The capacity is 7-9 standard size kitchen garbage bags. To avoid attraction and infestation of bugs and rodents, please bag and seal your household garbage before placing it in the cart. The lid must close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Pizza boxes (greasy)
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Mixed (loose) recycling only. Never bag your recyclables. Keep items clean, dry, and loose. Place the cart 3 feet away from your garbage cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and soda cans
- ✓Paper and un-soiled cardboard
- ✓Food-grade glass (wine bottles, salsa jars)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Yard debris
- ✕Construction debris
- ✕Food waste and liquids
Yard Waste Bin
Up to 20 sturdy bags of leaves (under 50 lbs each) or personal 32-gallon containers (under 50 lbs). Branches must be bundled, under 4 feet in length, and under 4 inches in diameter. Max 4 cubic yards overall.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Shrubs and small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular collection day
Placement
Place items at the curb by 6:30 AM on collection day. Leave at least 3 feet of clearance between bulk items and your automated roll carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (beds, chairs)
- ✓ Drained lawnmowers
- ✓ Rolled area rugs (folded to 4-foot lengths)
- ✓ Bikes and children's toys (no rechargeable batteries)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and electronics
- ✕ Appliances (refrigerators, washers)
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Tires
The first 2 standard bulk items are free. Special pickups for large appliances (which require Freon recovery), claw truck services for excessive piles, or temporary dumpsters require an estimate and an extra fee billed to your utility account.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If the holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and the remainder of the week are shifted one day later (e.g., Thursday collections move to Friday, Friday to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk pickups follow the exact same holiday shift as garbage and recycling, since all services occur on the same day.
Holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Veteran's Day have NO changes to regular collections. Put your carts out as usual.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Pizza Boxes Belong in the Trash
Even though cardboard is widely accepted, Dunedin strictly prohibits pizza boxes in the blue recycling cart. The oil, grease, and melted cheese ruin the quality of the paper bales during processing.
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Never bag your recyclables. Tangled plastic bags are one of the biggest hazards at the sorting facility. Place all clean plastics, glass, and cans loosely in the blue cart.
Rinse and Dry Your Recyclables
A half-full soda can or a dirty salsa jar can contaminate an entire load of paper and cardboard. Always rinse out containers and let them dry before tossing them in the recycling bin.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberWhen a tropical storm or hurricane threatens Pinellas County, refrain from doing last-minute yard work. Never place roll-carts, fencing, or piles of branches at the curb during high wind warnings, as they become dangerous projectiles.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryDuring the holidays, wrapping paper and styrofoam must go in the green garbage cart. For large post-holiday cardboard boxes, ensure they are completely broken down, flattened, and unsoiled before placing them in the blue recycling cart.
Spring Pruning Season
March - MayDuring heavy landscaping seasons, remember that contractor-generated yard debris is not collected by the city. If you hire a tree surgeon or professional landscaper, they are required by city ordinance to remove and dispose of the brush themselves.
About Dunedin Waste Management
Dunedin's Once-a-Week Unified Collection System
In the City of Dunedin, residential solid waste convenience is a priority. Instead of staggering your trash, recycling, and yard waste on different days, all three collections happen on the exact same designated day each week. The Dunedin Solid Waste Division handles the automated green garbage carts and manual yard debris pickups, while WastePro is contracted to manage the automated blue recycling carts. Simply ensure all carts and items are placed at the curb between 6:00 PM the night before and 6:30 AM on your service day.
Simplified Mixed Recycling with a Strict No-Bag Policy
Dunedin champions a straightforward mixed-stream recycling program, meaning paper, plastics, glass, and some metals all go into the same blue roll-cart. However, a strict 'no plastic bags' policy is enforced. You must place items loosely into the blue cart, as bagged recyclables or loose grocery bags tangle the sorting equipment. Additionally, while clean cardboard is welcomed, greasy pizza boxes are strictly prohibited from the blue bin to protect the quality of the paper bales.
Managing Yard Debris in Florida's Climate
Keeping up with Dunedin's tropical growth means frequent lawn maintenance. Residents can place up to 20 sturdy bags of leaves or containerized loose debris at the curb each week, provided each container or bundle weighs less than 50 pounds. Small, manageable piles of brush must be bundled for manual hand collection. Keep in mind that branches cannot exceed 4 feet in length and 4 inches in diameter, and the total pile must stay under 4 cubic yards (about the size of two refrigerators) to avoid special pickup fees.
Convenient Weekly Bulk Item Disposal
Getting rid of old furniture or large boxes doesn't require waiting months for a special event. Single-family homes in Dunedin are allowed to set out up to two pieces of bulk furniture each week at no additional cost on their regular trash day. Just place items like patio chairs, rolled area rugs, or a drained lawnmower at least 3 feet away from your automated carts. Remember that electronics, TVs, and large appliances like refrigerators require a scheduled special pickup rather than standard curbside placement.
Drop-off Facilities
Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex & HEC3
3095 114th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my trash carts out in Dunedin?
You should wheel your green garbage and blue recycling carts to the street between 6:00 PM the night before and 6:30 AM on your designated collection day. Carts must be removed from the curb by 7:00 AM the following morning.
Can I recycle my greasy pizza boxes in the blue cart?
No! The City of Dunedin strictly asks residents not to place pizza boxes in the blue recycling cart. The grease and food residue ruin other recyclable paper and cardboard materials. Throw them in the green garbage cart instead.
What happens to my trash pickup on a holiday like Memorial Day?
Your trash will be collected normally! The Dunedin Solid Waste Division only changes schedules for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. For all other holidays, including Memorial Day and Labor Day, collections happen as usual.
How do I dispose of a broken refrigerator or television?
TVs and large appliances like refrigerators are not part of the standard weekly bulk pickup. You must contact the Solid Waste Division at 727-298-3215 to schedule a special pickup for appliances (for an additional fee), or drop off electronics at the Pinellas County HEC3 facility.