Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fort Lauderdale
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.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside solid waste, recycling, and yard waste service fees are billed monthly together on your City of Fort Lauderdale municipal utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, Lobby Kiosk, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible low-income households can apply for bill assistance through the Municipal Services Affordability (MSA) Program and Broward County LIHEAP.
Black Bin (Trash)
All trash and food waste must be securely bagged before being placed in the black cart to prevent odors and a dirty container. The lid must close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken household items
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Follow the TAKE5 rules. Do not bag your recyclables; items must be placed loosely into the blue cart so they can be easily sorted at the facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper (junk mail, magazines, newspaper)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers (#1-7)
- ✓Metal cans (aluminum and steel)
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Garden hoses
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Do not bag yard waste inside the green cart. If you have excess leaves that do not fit in the cart, they must be bagged and placed in a separate pile.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Twigs and branches
- ✓Palm fronds cut to fit inside
- ✓Flowers, weeds, and roots
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Collected once a month on your scheduled service day.
Placement
Place bulk trash at your curb by 7:00 a.m. on your pickup day, but no earlier than 24 hours in advance. Keep away from parked cars, fences, storm drains, and power lines.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Tree limbs up to 12 feet long and 12 inches in diameter
- ✓ Palm fronds and large hedge cuttings
- ✓ Large household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tree stumps or sections longer than 12 feet
- ✕ Hazardous materials or liquids
- ✕ Dirt, sod, sand, pavers, concrete, and tiles
- ✕ Household garbage
Items placed out for collection more than 24 hours in advance or remaining on your curb for more than 24 hours after your scheduled pickup could result in a code violation citation.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Christmas Day is the only observed holiday in Fort Lauderdale where waste collections will not occur. There is no make-up day for curbside garbage collections.
Yard Waste Exception
If Christmas disrupts your schedule, curbside recycling and yard waste collections are typically serviced on the following Sunday.
There are no service interruptions for Thanksgiving Day or New Year's Day. Place your carts out on your normal scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring South Florida's active hurricane season, residents must immediately stop placing bulk waste and unbagged yard debris at the curb when a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued. Secure all black, blue, and green carts indoors or in a garage so they do not become dangerous flying projectiles.
Holiday Tree Collection
JanuaryThe city offers a free, eco-friendly curbside collection for live holiday trees during the first three weeks of January. Trees must be stripped of all lights, ornaments, and tinsel, and placed out on your regularly scheduled yard waste collection day.
Summer Growth and Bulk Limits
Summer MonthsHeavy summer rains trigger rapid vegetation growth. Remember that oversized tree trimmings and palm fronds up to 12 feet long and 12 inches in diameter can be placed out for bulk pickup, provided the entire pile does not exceed the 10-cubic-yard limit.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans into Cash Around Fort Lauderdale
Hey neighbors, ever wonder what to do with those extra aluminum cans or maybe some old scrap metal? While our regular recycling bins are great, did you know you can actually get a little cash back for some items? Keep an eye out for local redemption centers that accept aluminum cans. And for bigger metal items, places like All American Scrap Metals might be able to take them off your hands and give you something for your trouble. It's a win-win for your wallet and the planet!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Fort Lauderdale
Got items that are still in good shape but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, consider donating! There are some fantastic local spots that would love to give your pre-loved belongings a new home. Check out places like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore right here in Fort Lauderdale, or look for other local thrift stores and charities. Donating not only helps others but also keeps useful items out of the landfill. It's a truly neighborly thing to do.
Keeping Our Streets Litter-Free: Report Dumping in Fort Lauderdale
We all love our beautiful Fort Lauderdale, right? Illegal dumping can really spoil things for everyone. If you happen to see any trash or bulky items left where they shouldn't be, it's super easy to report it. You can usually report illegal dumping directly to the City of Fort Lauderdale's Public Works department or through their 311 service if they have one. They often have specific ways to handle these situations and get things cleaned up quickly. Let's all pitch in to keep our community looking its best!
Drop-off Facilities
Broward County Landfill
7101 SW 205th Avenue, Unincorporated Broward County, FL 33332
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my recycling cart is flagged for contamination in Fort Lauderdale?
Under the TAKE5 program, carts containing non-recyclable materials are tagged and left unserviced. You must remove the contamination before the next pickup. If your cart fails three inspections, it may be confiscated. You will then have to wait 90 days, sign a pledge, and complete an anti-contamination course to get it back.
How do I dispose of old vehicle tires?
Fort Lauderdale offers a highly convenient curbside tire collection. You can place up to two passenger or light truck tires (up to 20 inches) right next to your black garbage cart on your regularly scheduled garbage days. The limit is four tires per household per year.
Can I put loose leaves in my bulk trash pile?
No. While large tree trimmings and palm fronds up to 12 feet long can be placed out loosely for bulk pickup, all excess leaves must be bagged and placed in a separate pile next to your bulk items.
What time should I put my trash and recycling carts out?
All black, blue, and green carts must be placed curbside by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. However, to avoid citations, do not place them on the curb any earlier than 6:00 p.m. the evening before your collection.