Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Margate
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 Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged and placed inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Set curbside by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, but no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day prior.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Plastic wrap
- ✓Contaminated recyclables
- ✓Kitchen and food waste
- ✓Plastic utensils and straws
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Bagged household garbage
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be clean, dry, and loose. Do not bag recyclables. Place the cart curbside by 7:00 a.m. at least 3 feet away from any obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened, max 3'x3')
- ✓Office paper and newspaper
- ✓Magazines
- ✓Milk and juice cartons
- ✓Water and soda bottles (caps removed)
- ✓Laundry detergent jugs
- ✓Food and beverage cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Clothing
- ✕Hazardous materials
- ✕Building debris
- ✕Medical waste
Yard Waste Bin
Limit 3 cubic yards per week. Small clippings must be in clear plastic bags. Large branches cannot exceed 8 inches in diameter or 6 feet in length.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Shrub and tree trimmings
- ✓Tree branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per week on your garbage collection day that falls opposite to your recycling day.
Placement
Place immediately behind the curb by 7:00 a.m. Ensure 3 feet of clearance from mailboxes, carts, and trees. Do not set out more than three days before your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Carpet
- ✓ White goods (freon must be professionally removed)
- ✓ Small quantities of lumber
- ✓ Glass (must be contained in a sealed, labeled cardboard box)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition materials
- ✕ Electronic equipment
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, fertilizer)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Abandoned vehicle parts
- ✕ Dead animals
Piles exceeding the 3-cubic-yard limit will be given a non-collection notice and require the scheduling of a supplemental collection for an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage, recycling, and bulk waste are collected on all holidays throughout the year with the single exception of Christmas Day.
Yard Waste Exception
If your bulk/yard waste collection falls on Christmas, you must wait until your next scheduled bulk collection day the following week.
Garbage cans and extra garbage bags will only be collected outside of the cart from households that specifically missed a collection day due to the Christmas holiday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Never place plastic grocery bags or bagged recyclables in your blue cart. Plastic film gets tangled in the sorting machinery and will contaminate your entire bin.
Remove Caps and Lids
Before recycling plastic water bottles or soda jugs in Margate, you must remove the caps. Also, ensure the containers are thoroughly rinsed and completely dry.
Size Matters for Cardboard
All corrugated cardboard boxes must be broken down and cut into sections no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet to prevent jamming the automated collection trucks.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberIf storm winds are forecast to reach 39 mph or greater, all trash and recycling services in Margate will be immediately suspended. You must bring all carts and bulk piles indoors to prevent wind damage.
Winter Holidays
DecemberRepublic Services operates on all holidays except Christmas Day. If your normal pickup is skipped on December 25th, you are allowed to place extra, securely tied garbage bags outside your green cart on your next scheduled service day.
Spring Cleaning
March to MayWhen doing major home cleanouts, remember that the weekly bulk limit is 3 cubic yards. If you have excessive home maintenance debris, you must schedule and pay for a supplemental collection service.
About Margate Waste Management
Overview of Margate's Exclusive Waste Franchise
Since February 2022, Republic Services has operated as the exclusive franchise hauler for the City of Margate, serving all single-family and opted-in multi-family residences. Single-family homes receive twice-weekly garbage collection and once-a-week recycling pickups. Every household is equipped with standardized carts—available in 35, 65, or 95-gallon capacities—designed for automated collection, meaning carts must be spaced perfectly to allow mechanical arms to operate safely.
Stringent Bulk and Yard Waste Regulations
Margate residents are permitted up to three cubic yards of bulk and yard debris per week, which visually equates to roughly three standard washing machines sitting side-by-side. A unique municipal rule strictly requires all smaller yard clippings, leaves, and trimmings to be stored exclusively in clear plastic bags. Black or opaque bags will be flagged as regular trash. Furthermore, if you are disposing of mirrors or glass tabletops, you are mandated to seal them in a labeled cardboard box to protect sanitation workers.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Protocols
It is imperative to know that Republic Services will absolutely not collect hazardous liquids, paint, or electronic scrap at the curb in Margate. Instead, locals can utilize Broward County's designated Drop-Off Centers, such as the North Residential site in neighboring Pompano Beach. Additionally, the City typically organizes several local drop-off and document shredding events at Oriole Park each year.
Navigating Service During Florida's Tropical Weather
Broward County's severe storm risks directly impact Margate's solid waste operations. In the event of an approaching hurricane, collections are universally suspended once sustained winds hit 39 mph. It is an enforceable city policy that all residents must retrieve their green and blue carts, as well as any loose bulk debris from the swale, to prevent them from becoming dangerous wind-borne projectiles.
Free Cart Repair and Replacement Program
Is your green or blue cart suffering from a cracked lid or missing wheels? The City of Margate offers a generous replacement policy. As long as the damage stems from normal wear-and-tear or a manufacturing defect rather than homeowner negligence, Republic Services will swap out the broken bin for free. Residents can request this by contacting the city's dedicated garbage email address directly.
Drop-off Facilities
North Residential Drop-Off Center (Broward County)
2780 North Powerline Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33073
Materials Accepted
Oriole Park Recycling Drop-off
7055 NW 1st Street, Margate, FL 33063
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my garbage or recycling cart breaks in Margate?
If your cart has a cracked lid or missing wheels, you can get it replaced for free by emailing [email protected] or calling Republic Services at 954-583-1830. A fee will only be applied if the cart was damaged due to neglect or intentional modification.
How do I safely dispose of glass items during bulk pickup?
Margate enforces strict safety rules for glass disposal. If you have mirrors or glass furniture, the glass must be placed inside a cardboard box or another sealed rigid container. You must also clearly label the outside of the container to indicate that glass is inside, otherwise, it will not be collected.
Can I put my grass clippings in black garbage bags?
No. Margate requires all small yard waste, such as grass clippings and leaves, to be placed exclusively in clear plastic bags. If you use opaque or colored bags, the haulers will consider it regular household garbage rather than yard waste.
Where can I throw away an old TV or computer in Margate?
Electronic equipment is not accepted in your curbside bulk pickup. You must drop off e-waste at one of the Broward County Residential Drop-Off Centers, such as the North facility in Pompano Beach, or wait for one of the City of Margate's periodic HHW events at Oriole Park.