Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Ferry Pass
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 Bin (Trash)
All household garbage should be bagged before being placed in the 90-gallon green cart to prevent litter. The cart lid must close, and bins must be 3 feet away from mailboxes or cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Bagged pet waste
Tan Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the tan cart. Do not bag your recycling. Items should be lightly rinsed and completely dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspapers and office paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic jugs and bottles (lids on)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
- ✕Food-soiled boxes (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be bagged (heavy-duty plastic or paper), bundled, or placed in a personal sturdy garbage can. Bundles cannot exceed 6 feet in length or 50 pounds in weight.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your normal collection day
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Ensure the pile is not blocking sidewalks, storm drains, or the regular trash carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large toys and bicycles
- ✓ Rolled carpet (cut to 6-foot lengths)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (C&D)
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Propane tanks
Standard bulk collection is included in your ECUA utility rate. However, excessively massive piles or construction debris require a special pickup assessment and may incur an extra fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
ECUA observes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If your collection day falls on or after the holiday during that week, your pickup will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collection follow the exact same holiday shift schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
For all other holidays, including Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day, ECUA maintains normal collection schedules.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Never put your recyclables in plastic garbage bags. The machinery at ECUA’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) gets severely jammed by flexible plastic films. Keep your recyclables loose.
When in Doubt, Throw it Out
Wish-cycling is a major problem in Escambia County. If you aren't absolutely certain an item is accepted (like random plastic toys or wire hangers), put it in the green trash bin to avoid contaminating the entire recycling load.
Keep it Clean and Dry
A half-full soda can easily ruins an entire bin of clean paper and cardboard. Quickly rinse your cans and plastic bottles, giving them a shake to dry before tossing them into the tan cart.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberDuring active tropical storm or hurricane warnings, ECUA may suspend collection routes. Secure all green and tan carts indoors or anchor them to a sturdy structure. Do not place yard debris at the curb if a storm is approaching, as high winds turn loose branches into dangerous projectiles.
Spring Clean-Up
March to MayAs the growing season kicks in, yard waste volume surges. Ensure you adhere to the 20-bag or 20-bundle weekly limit. Oversized piles may be tagged and left behind, requiring you to call customer service for a specialized claw truck pickup.
Winter Holidays
Late December to JanuaryFollowing Christmas, ECUA collects live Christmas trees as part of regular yard waste. Trees must be completely stripped of ornaments, tinsel, stands, and lights. Do not put trees in plastic bags.
About Ferry Pass Waste Management
Sanitation Services in Unincorporated Ferry Pass
As an unincorporated census-designated place in Escambia County, Ferry Pass relies on the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) for its residential trash, recycling, and yard waste collection. Because it is not an incorporated city, residents manage their sanitation services directly through their utility bills rather than municipal taxes. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day to guarantee pickup.
The Glass Recycling Rule
A critical detail for environmentally conscious Ferry Pass residents is that ECUA no longer accepts glass in curbside recycling bins. Due to safety concerns at sorting facilities and the high rate of contamination when glass shatters, all glass bottles, jars, and containers must be disposed of in the regular green garbage cart. Keeping glass out of the recycling stream ensures that valuable paper and plastics can be effectively processed.
Managing Heavy Bulk Without the Hassle
One of the standout benefits of ECUA's solid waste program in Ferry Pass is the inclusion of weekly bulk waste collection at no additional charge. For standard bulky items like an old mattress, a broken chair, or bundled branches, residents simply place them at the curb on their regular trash day. No special phone calls or appointments are required as long as the pile remains within the acceptable size limits.
Protecting the Perdido Bay Watershed
Proper waste disposal in Ferry Pass directly impacts local water systems, including the nearby Escambia River and Escambia Bay. Residents are urged never to pour fats, oils, grease (FOG), or household chemicals into street storm drains or standard trash carts. ECUA provides free hazardous waste drop-off events and operates a regional FOG recycling program to help keep the local watershed pristine.
Drop-off Facilities
Perdido Landfill (Escambia County Solid Waste)
13009 Beulah Rd, Cantonment, FL 32533
Materials Accepted
ECUA Regional FOG Drop-off (Various locations)
Nearest to Ferry Pass: 9255 Sturdevant St, Pensacola, FL 32514
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ferry Pass have a different waste schedule than the City of Pensacola?
Yes, although Ferry Pass borders Pensacola, it is unincorporated Escambia County. Your waste is collected by ECUA, not the City of Pensacola Sanitation Division. Always follow ECUA guidelines and schedules.
Can I recycle glass bottles in my tan ECUA cart?
No. ECUA discontinued glass recycling. All glass bottles, jars, and broken glass must be securely placed into your green garbage cart.
How do I throw away an old mattress in Ferry Pass?
You can simply place the old mattress at the curb on your regularly scheduled ECUA collection day. Bulk item pickup is provided weekly at no extra charge, provided it is out by 7:00 a.m.
What should I do with excess yard waste that doesn't fit in my bin?
You can bag yard clippings in heavy-duty plastic or paper bags, or tie limbs into bundles. You are allowed up to 20 bags or bundles per week, provided no single item is longer than 6 feet or heavier than 50 pounds.