Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Golden Gate
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 Lid Cart Bin (Trash)
Place all regular household waste inside the green-lidded cart. The lid must close. If you have excess waste, you may place up to 10 heavy-duty bags next to the cart for collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled paper
- ✓Small non-recyclable items
- ✓Plastic bags
Yellow Lid Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. All items must be empty, clean, dry, and placed loosely inside the yellow-lidded cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and cups
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Paper, cardboard, cartons, and paper cups
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in paper yard bags, personal 45-gallon containers (under 50 lbs), or bundled with twine (max 4 feet long, 4 inches diameter). Plastic bags are strictly banned.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Small branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your scheduled recycling day, or by appointment for specialty items
Placement
Place standard bulk items curbside by 6:00 a.m. Ensure items are kept at least 3 feet away from your automated carts, mailboxes, and low-hanging tree branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and bicycles (standard)
- ✓ Appliances (specialty - doors must be removed)
- ✓ Electronics (specialty)
- ✓ Up to 4 standard vehicle tires per month (specialty)
- ✓ Up to 2 vehicle batteries per month (specialty)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Large construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Wet paint and pool chemicals
- ✕ Large tree trunks
Small DIY project waste that fits entirely in the green-lidded cart is accepted, but large construction debris generated by contractors must be hauled directly to a transfer station at the owner's expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collier County has no make-up collection days for observed holidays. If your scheduled service falls on one of these holidays, all of your waste (trash, recycling, and yard waste) will simply be collected on your next regularly scheduled service day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk item pick-ups follow the exact same suspension rules as regular household garbage during the holidays.
Collections operate normally on all other holidays, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Yellow Lid Loose
Never bag your recyclables. Plastic garbage bags get tangled in the automated sorting equipment at the Material Resource Facility (MRF), posing a severe safety hazard to workers and causing costly shutdowns.
The Clean and Dry Mandate
A half-full soda can or a heavily soiled food container can ruin an entire load of clean paper and cardboard. Always rinse your food and beverage containers and let them dry completely before placing them in the recycling cart.
Keep Batteries Out of the Bins
Never dispose of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or vehicle batteries in your curbside carts. They possess a high risk of sparking severe truck and facility fires. Take them to the Hazardous Material Drop-Off Center instead.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberDuring severe weather or named tropical storms, cease all major tree trimming immediately and do not set yard waste or bulk items at the curb. High winds can turn loose debris into dangerous, airborne projectiles.
Post-Holiday Overflow
Late December to JanuaryBecause Collier County does not offer holiday make-up collection days, Christmas week often results in overflowing bins. Prepare in advance by flattening all cardboard shipping boxes completely to maximize space inside your yellow-lidded cart.
Summer Pruning
May to AugustWhen completing heavy summer landscaping, remember that the county will leave oversized piles behind. Yard waste bundles must be tied with twine, weigh less than 50 pounds, and contain branches no thicker than 4 inches in diameter.
About Golden Gate Waste Management
The Automated Dual-Cart System in Golden Gate
Golden Gate residents fall under Collier County's comprehensive automated waste collection program. Each household utilizes a distinct two-cart system: a green-lidded cart for standard household garbage and a yellow-lidded cart for loose, single-stream recyclables. Because the trucks use mechanical arms, your carts must be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m. on collection day (or after 6:00 p.m. the night before). Ensure they are kept at least three feet apart from mailboxes, cars, and each other to avoid missed pickups.
Handling Excess Household Garbage
While many municipalities strictly penalize residents for overflowing carts, Collier County offers a highly convenient overflow solution for Golden Gate. If your green-lidded garbage cart is completely full, you are permitted to place up to 10 heavy-duty plastic bags of household waste directly next to the cart on your scheduled service day. This provides significant relief after large family gatherings or spring cleaning without the hassle of paying for an extra pickup.
Strict Container Rules for Tropical Yard Waste
Florida's subtropical climate means Golden Gate properties generate substantial yard debris year-round. However, Collier County strictly prohibits the use of plastic garbage bags for yard waste. All grass clippings, leaves, and trimmings must be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags, personal 45-gallon containers weighing under 50 pounds, or tied securely into bundles with twine. Bundles cannot exceed four feet in length or 50 pounds in weight.
Specialty Bulk Pickups and the 48-Hour Rule
Standard bulky items, such as old furniture and bicycles, can be placed at the curb alongside your yellow-lidded cart on your designated recycling day. However, 'specialty' bulk items—which include appliances, electronics, standard vehicle tires, and car batteries—require an advanced appointment. Residents must call the Collier County customer service line at least 48 hours in advance to schedule a free specialty pickup, ensuring trucks are properly equipped to handle the heavy materials.
Drop-off Facilities
Naples Recycling Drop-Off Center
2640 Corporate Flight Dr, Naples, FL 34104
Materials Accepted
Hazardous Material Drop-Off Center & Collier County Landfill
3730 White Lake Blvd, Naples, FL 34117
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my garbage doesn't fit in the green-lidded cart in Golden Gate?
Collier County provides a generous overflow policy. If your green-lidded cart is completely full, you are allowed to place up to 10 heavy-duty plastic bags of household trash directly next to the cart for collection.
Why was my yard waste left at the curb in plastic bags?
Collier County solid waste rules strictly prohibit the use of plastic bags for yard waste. All landscaping debris must be tied into bundles, placed in biodegradable paper yard bags, or placed loosely into personal 45-gallon containers that weigh less than 50 pounds.
How do I dispose of an old refrigerator or television in Golden Gate?
Appliances (with doors completely removed for safety) and electronics are considered 'specialty' bulk items. You must call Collier County utility customer service at (239) 252-2380 at least 48 hours in advance to schedule a free curbside collection.
Does Waste Management pick up trash on Thanksgiving or Christmas?
No. Collier County solid waste services are entirely suspended on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and the Fourth of July. There are no make-up days for these holidays; your waste will simply be collected on your next regularly scheduled service day.