Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Jacksonville
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 or Gray Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be securely bagged before being placed in the cart. The lid must close completely. Place the cart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the lid opening facing the street, ensuring 3 feet of clearance from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken household items
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue or Green Cart with Yellow Lid Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely into the cart. Do not put recyclables in plastic garbage bags. Break down all cardboard boxes so they fit entirely inside the closed cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Paper (junk mail, magazines, office paper)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1 and #2)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (green, brown, and clear)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and films
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Aerosol cans
- ✕Hoses, cords, and wires (tanglers)
- ✕Food-soiled pizza boxes
Yard Waste Bin
Limit of 5 cubic yards. Limbs max 5 feet long and 6 inches in diameter. Put small debris in cans (up to 40 gallons) or bags. Max weight per container/bundle is 40 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree limbs and branches
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Spanish moss and shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly, on your regularly scheduled garbage collection day.
Placement
Place bulk items within 3 feet of the curb and at least 3 feet away from your garbage cart, mailboxes, utility poles, and parked cars by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Rolled carpet and padding
- ✓ Large household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (drywall, fencing, concrete)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Commercial waste
- ✕ Vehicle parts and batteries
Bulk collection is included in standard residential solid waste fees. However, hiring a contractor to do home repairs means the contractor is responsible for hauling away their own construction debris.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Jacksonville only suspends garbage, recycling, and yard waste collections on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On these two holidays, services are delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same one-day delay as household garbage and recycling during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks.
For all other major holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, normal collection schedules remain in effect. Place your carts out as usual.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Stop the Tanglers
Never put garden hoses, extension cords, wire hangers, or holiday lights in your recycling cart. In Jacksonville's recycling facilities, these 'tanglers' wrap around the automated sorting gears, causing dangerous jams and complete system shutdowns.
Keep Recyclables Unbagged
Plastic garbage bags are the leading cause of recycling contamination in Duval County. Simply drop your clean cans, bottles, and paper directly and loosely into your recycling cart. Bagged recycling will be treated as trash.
No Shredded Paper
While standard office paper is highly recyclable, shredded paper is not accepted in Jacksonville's curbside program. The tiny paper shreds fall through the sorting screens and mix with broken glass and debris, rendering them unrecyclable.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberWhen the Mayor issues a storm warning for Duval County, stop all yard trimming and bulk waste placement immediately. Secure your garbage and recycling carts indoors or tightly against a sturdy structure to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles or washing into storm drains.
Post-Holiday Cardboard Surges
December - JanuaryDuring the winter holidays, residents generate excess cardboard. Jacksonville requires all cardboard to be broken down and placed completely inside the recycling cart. If you have too much cardboard, save it for the next week's collection or take it to a drop-off site.
Spring Landscaping and Yard Waste Limits
March - MaySpring pruning often causes a spike in yard waste. Remember that the city strictly enforces the 5-cubic-yard limit and the 5-foot length rule. If your piles exceed these limits, a code enforcement tag may be issued, and the pile will not be collected.
About Jacksonville Waste Management
Jacksonville's Consolidated Waste Ecosystem
As the largest city by land area in the contiguous United States, Jacksonville operates a massive, highly coordinated solid waste program across Duval County. The city employs a hybrid hauling model where municipal crews service certain urban core areas, while private contractors like Waste Pro, Meridian Waste, and GFL handle designated suburban zones. Residents can manage all their service needs, from reporting missed pickups to checking schedules, through the centralized MyJax portal or by calling 904-630-CITY.
The 5-Cubic-Yard Yard Waste Rule
Maintaining Jacksonville's lush canopy and landscaping generates extensive yard debris, especially Spanish moss and palm fronds. The city collects yard waste weekly, but residents must adhere to strict limits to ensure efficient routing. You are allowed up to 5 cubic yards of yard waste per week. Limbs and branches must be no longer than five feet and six inches in diameter. Smaller debris must be placed in untied plastic bags or personal 40-gallon cans that do not exceed 40 pounds.
Bulk Trash Collection Concurrent with Garbage
A highly convenient feature of Jacksonville's solid waste program is that bulk items are picked up on the same day as your regular household garbage. There is no need to wait for a special monthly date. However, this is also limited to 5 cubic yards per week. Furniture, mattresses, and rolled carpets must be placed next to your regular garbage cart by 6:00 a.m. Construction debris like fencing, drywall, and concrete are strictly prohibited and will not be collected.
Tire and Appliance Recycling Protocols
Jacksonville offers eco-friendly disposal for large household appliances (white goods) and tires, but these items require advanced notification. Residents can request a special pickup via the MyJax system. The city permits the disposal of up to four standard passenger or light truck tires per household per year. Tires must be removed from their rims and placed at the curb only after a pickup request has been successfully submitted and scheduled.
Drop-off Facilities
Duval County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
2675 Commonwealth Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32254
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Jacksonville collect trash on holidays?
Yes, Jacksonville collects residential waste on almost all holidays, including Labor Day, Memorial Day, and New Year's Day. The only two holidays where service is delayed by one day are Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or washing machine?
Large appliances (white goods) are collected for free, but you must schedule a pickup in advance. You can request an appliance pickup through the MyJax online portal or by calling 904-630-CITY (2489).
What is the rule for getting rid of old tires?
Residents can dispose of up to four standard passenger tires per year. The tires must be off the rims. You cannot simply leave them at the curb; you must first contact the city via MyJax or 904-630-CITY to schedule a specific tire pickup date.
Why didn't the city pick up my yard waste pile?
If your yard waste was left behind, it likely violated city guidelines. Ensure the pile is less than 5 cubic yards, branches are no longer than 5 feet or thicker than 6 inches, and bags or cans do not weigh more than 40 pounds.