Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Key West
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 Cart Bin (Trash)
All garbage MUST be placed inside a bag before going into the green cart. Carts cannot be placed at the curb before 4:00 PM the day prior and must be removed by 8:00 PM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and styrofoam
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables; place them loosely in the blue cart. Ensure all containers are rinsed free of food residue.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5 ONLY (bottles and cups)
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (rinsed, lids removed)
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Milk and juice cartons (rinsed)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind (the #1 contaminant)
- ✕To-go food containers and styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Mirrors, window glass, or coral
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, metal hangers)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be fully containerized in resident-provided open-top cans (max 40 gal) or paper yard bags. Max 10 containers/bags per week (400 gallons total). Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Cans must weigh under 50 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Coconuts
- ✓Tree and shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 Free Pickups Annually (Up to 2 Cubic Yards each) & By Prepayment
Placement
Place on the right-of-way only the day before your scheduled pickup. Items must be clear of low-hanging tree branches, power lines, fences, and parked cars so the grapple truck's claw arm can operate safely.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and tables
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household appliances (washers, refrigerators)
- ✓ Patio furniture and area rugs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction & Demolition (C&D) debris (requires fee)
- ✕ Bulk yard waste piles (requires fee)
- ✕ Televisions and computers
- ✕ Vehicle tires, batteries, and auto parts
If a pile exceeds 2 cubic yards or if you have exhausted your two free pickups, you must prepay WM for removal. C&D and bulk yard waste are never free and always require a paid estimate.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Unlike many mainland municipalities, Key West and its service provider generally do NOT alter the residential trash and recycling collection schedules for holidays. Collections typically occur as normal on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Thanksgiving.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same uninterrupted schedule.
While city offices and bus routes may close, always place your carts out on your normal scheduled day unless a specific emergency alert is issued by the City of Key West.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out to Prevent 'Gumming'
When plastic bags enter the recycling sorting facility in Pembroke Pines, they act like gum in the gears. The facility must shut down daily to cut out the bags, which is why Key West strictly bans them from blue carts.
No Coral, Stones, or Soil
When cleaning up your island yard, ensure that coral rock, soil, pavers, and stones do not end up in your yard waste containers. These heavy, non-vegetative items will severely damage the chipping equipment.
Tear Off the Greasy Pizza Box Bottom
While clean cardboard is highly recyclable, greasy pizza boxes ruin paper loads. If the top of the box is clean, tear it off and recycle it, but the greasy, cheese-stained bottom must always go into the green trash cart.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberIf extreme tropical weather, high winds, or severe flooding is forecasted for the Keys, secure all green and blue carts indoors. Do not place bulk items or yard waste out if a storm is approaching, as they become dangerous projectiles or block drainage.
Winter / Snowbird Season
December to AprilWith the seasonal influx of residents and visitors, garbage volumes spike. Ensure your carts are on the ROW by the required time and promptly removed by 8:00 PM to avoid code enforcement violations on narrow Key West streets.
Spring Cleaning
March to MayWhen undertaking spring cleaning, remember that you get two free bulk pick-ups per year (2 cubic yards each). You must schedule this with Waste Management beforehand; do not place "FREE" piles on the curb for scavengers.
About Key West Waste Management
Mandatory Cart Guidelines for the Conch Republic
In Key West, residential garbage collection is handled once a week by Waste Management (WM) and is billed through your annual property tax assessment. Every household is provided with one specific green cart for household trash. The city strictly mandates that all garbage must be bagged before being placed inside the cart. Placing loose trash inside the cart or leaving bags on the ground will result in skipped service. By city ordinance, you may place your carts in the Right-of-Way (ROW) no earlier than 4:00 PM the day before pickup and must remove them by 8:00 PM on collection day to keep the streets clear.
Strict Container Rules for Island Yard Waste
Maintaining Key West's tropical landscape generates substantial yard waste (palm fronds, coconuts, and trimmings). The city has outlawed bundled yard waste for weekly residential collection. Instead, all vegetation must be completely containerized. Residents can place out up to 400 gallons per week, which equates to about ten 40-gallon open-top cans or paper yard bags. You must provide your own containers, and they must weigh less than 50 lbs each. Do NOT use your green garbage cart or blue recycling cart for yard waste, even if you put a sticker on it.
Navigating Bulk Waste and Grapple Trucks
Key West residents are allotted two free bulk waste pick-ups per year for household goods and personal items. Each free pickup is limited to 2 cubic yards (roughly the size of a couch and an end table, or a 3'x3'x6' pile). You must proactively call WM to schedule this service before putting anything at the curb. Because the items are removed using a heavy-duty grapple truck, your pile must be free of obstructions—meaning no overhead power lines, fences, or parked cars nearby. Be aware that construction debris and bulk yard waste are not eligible for these free pickups and will require upfront payment.
The 10% Contamination Rule for Blue Carts
Recycling in Key West is a single-stream process handled via your blue cart. However, WM enforces a strict '10% rule.' If the driver identifies that your blue cart contains more than 10% contaminated items—such as plastic grocery bags, food-soiled pizza boxes, or yard waste—the entire bin will be treated as solid waste. When in doubt, toss it out in the green cart to protect the integrity of the recycling truck's load.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Chemicals, marine paints, old gasoline, and electronics pose a significant threat to the sensitive Florida Keys marine ecosystem. The City of Key West offers a free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection specifically for city residents. This takes place on the first Saturday of every single month at Indigenous Park, located at 1800 White Street, from 8:00 AM until noon.
Drop-off Facilities
Key West Transfer Station (Monroe County)
Mile Marker 9, Rockland Key, FL
Materials Accepted
Indigenous Park HHW Drop-off
1800 White Street, Key West, FL 33040
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my green garbage cart or blue recycling cart for extra yard waste in Key West?
No. The city strictly prohibits putting yard waste in the green or blue city-issued carts. Yard waste must be placed in resident-provided open-top cans (up to 40 gallons) or paper yard bags.
How do I schedule a bulk pickup for an old mattress or couch?
Key West residents are allotted two free bulk pickups per year for household items (up to 2 cubic yards each). You must call Waste Management at 305-296-8297 to schedule the pickup before placing the mattress or couch on the right-of-way.
Does my garbage pickup schedule change on Christmas or Thanksgiving?
Generally, no. Key West does not alter its residential trash and recycling collection routes for holidays like Christmas or New Year's Day. You should place your bins out on your normal scheduled day.
Why didn't Waste Management empty my blue recycling cart?
If your blue cart was skipped, it is likely due to contamination. WM follows a strict 10% contamination rule; if they spot plastic bags, food waste, yard debris, or unrinsed containers in the bin, it will be flagged and serviced as regular garbage instead.