Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fort Walton Beach
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.
City-issued 95-gallon cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be bagged before placing it in the cart to prevent odors and scattering. Place the cart curbside between 7:00 p.m. the night before and collection time, with the handle facing your home. Keep it 4 feet away from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Small appliances (that fit inside the cart)
- ✓Food waste
95-gallon cart with a yellow lid Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely inside the cart with the yellow lid. Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags. Do not leave items on top of the lid.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard
- ✓Paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Metal and aluminum cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Placed at the curb separate from carts. Limited to 4 cubic yards per week per household. Branches cannot exceed 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length. Piles exceeding 4 cubic yards require scheduling and a fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass and shrub clippings
- ✓Twigs and garden residue
- ✓Branches (max 4 inches diameter, max 4 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled pickups occur on Fridays
Placement
Place large items at the curb Thursday evening, ensuring they are at least four feet away from your regular garbage and recycling containers.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Refrigerators (white goods)
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Water heaters
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Construction materials (drywall, wood)
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, dirt, rocks, sand
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Glass (table tops, doors, windows)
Bulk waste exceeding the 4 cubic yard monthly limit is subject to a fee. Call 850-833-9655 before 3:00 p.m. on Thursday to get on the Friday schedule.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Fort Walton Beach strictly halts all residential, commercial, and yard waste collection on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. On these three holidays, service is delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
On several minor holidays (MLK Jr. Day, Spring Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve), regular trash and recycling are collected, but yard waste collection is suspended.
Always check the city's holiday guide: 'When in doubt, put it out!' for minor holidays, but remember yard waste might be skipped.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Treated Lumber Out of Yard Waste
Never mix treated lumber, fencing, or pallets into your yard waste pile. Yard waste must be strictly vegetative. Mixed piles will not be collected by the standard yard waste trucks.
The Lid Must Close Completely
Do not allow anything to protrude from the top of your garbage or recycling carts. Long objects must be cut to fit inside, and you cannot place objects on top of the lid. Overfilled carts will not be serviced.
Don't Hide Construction Debris in Bulk
Items like concrete, bricks, dirt, rocks, drywall, or glass windows are strictly excluded from the Friday bulk pickup program. These must be taken to the county landfill or handled by a private dumpster rental.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberPrior to a forecasted tropical storm, secure your empty 95-gallon carts indoors or in a garage. Do not place yard waste or bulk items at the curb if a storm watch has been issued, as they can become dangerous projectiles.
Summer Heat
May - SeptemberThe city recommends combating strong garbage odors during the humid Florida summer by sprinkling baking soda or placing used dryer sheets at the bottom of your 95-gallon cart.
About Fort Walton Beach Waste Management
Understanding the 1-1-1 Collection System
The City of Fort Walton Beach utilizes a streamlined '1-1-1' residential collection system for households within the city limits. This simply means every home receives one day for garbage collection, one day for recycling, and one day for yard waste each week. Residents are equipped with two distinct 95-gallon roll carts: a standard cart for household trash and one with a yellow lid designated specifically for recycling.
Strict Limits on Yard Debris Volume
Given the lush coastal environment, yard maintenance is a frequent chore. Fort Walton Beach provides weekly yard waste collection from Monday through Thursday, but strictly enforces a volume limit. The city's sanitation crew will pick up a maximum of 4 cubic yards of yard waste per household each week for free. If your pile exceeds this limit, perhaps after a major landscaping project, the removal of the excess debris will be subject to an additional charge.
Fridays are Dedicated to Bulk Pickups
Unlike some cities that collect large items on regular trash days, Fort Walton Beach dedicates Fridays exclusively to bulk household waste and appliance pickups. If you have an old sofa, mattress, or a 'white good' like a refrigerator, you must call the Sanitation Division by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday to secure your spot for Friday collection. The free allowance for bulk trash is limited to four cubic yards per household each month.
Walk-Up Service for Special Needs Residents
To ensure equitable access to sanitation services, Fort Walton Beach offers a complimentary 'walk-up' service for residents with physical limitations. If age, a handicap, or a disability prevents you from rolling the heavy 95-gallon carts to the curb, city staff will walk up to your residence, roll the cart out, empty it, and return it. Residents must submit a Special Needs application to the Sanitation office to qualify for this assistance.
Drop-off Facilities
South Okaloosa County Transfer Station
80 Ready Ave NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk pickup for an old sofa in Fort Walton Beach?
Bulk waste, including furniture and appliances, is collected exclusively on Fridays. You must call the Sanitation Division at 850-833-9655 before 3:00 p.m. on Thursday to schedule the pickup. You are allowed 4 cubic yards per month for free.
Will my trash be picked up on the 4th of July or Memorial Day?
Yes. The City of Fort Walton Beach runs its regularly scheduled residential garbage and recycling routes on minor holidays like Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. However, yard waste collection is suspended on those days.
What happens if my yard waste pile is larger than the limit?
The city collects a maximum of 4 cubic yards of yard waste per household per week. If your pile (branches, leaves, grass) exceeds this limit, you must call the city to arrange an estimate, as the removal of the excess amount will be subject to an extra charge.
Which way should my trash cart face at the curb?
You must place your 95-gallon cart within three feet of the curb with the handle facing toward your home. Additionally, leave at least four feet of clearance between the cart and any other objects like mailboxes, cars, or other carts.