Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Merritt Island
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 cart with Green Lid) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged before being placed inside the cart. Do not overfill the container; the lid must close tightly. Place the cart with wheels against the curb, at least 3 feet from other objects.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Textiles and worn clothing
- ✓Chip bags and wrappers
Blue or Yellow Lid Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do NOT bag your recyclables. All items must be loose inside the recycling cart. Ensure all containers are completely empty and lightly rinsed to prevent contamination.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic and paper to-go cups (newly accepted)
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Clean paper, newspaper, and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Propane tanks
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses, hangers)
- ✕Styrofoam and to-go clamshell containers
- ✕Batteries and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Branches must be cut to lengths of 4 feet or less and weigh under 50 lbs. Loose items must be placed in a standard reusable garbage can (under 40 gallons). Do NOT bag yard waste in plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Tree limbs and branches
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Regularly scheduled collection day (alternating depending on zone)
Placement
Stack items neatly curbside at least 3 feet away from your roll carts, mailboxes, and storm drains. Ensure piles are not placed under low-hanging powerlines or tree branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, mattresses, tables)
- ✓ Appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Large household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Fencing and construction materials
- ✕ Wood and cement
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Standard residential bulk pickup is included in your solid waste assessment. Appliances are tagged and collected by a separate truck within 48 hours for recycling.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your collection day falls on one of the observed holidays, WM pushes collections back by one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday, Friday moves to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collections follow the same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage.
Brevard County landfills are closed on these specific holidays, prompting the delay. If a holiday falls on a weekend, there are generally no delays to weekday service.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Cart
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags or garbage bags. The sorting facility machinery cannot process them, and they often cause complete system jams. Place all recyclables loosely in the cart.
To-Go Cups Yes, Clamshells No
While WM now accepts paper and plastic to-go cups in Brevard County, this does not apply to all takeout packaging. Styrofoam containers and plastic to-go clamshell boxes must still go in the standard trash cart.
Beware of Tanglers
Garden hoses, holiday lights, and wire hangers are considered 'tanglers.' They wrap around the sorting gears at the recycling plant and cause severe damage. Always throw these items in the garbage.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberWhen a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued for Brevard County, immediately secure all waste carts indoors or in a garage. Do not place yard waste or bulk items at the curb, as high winds turn them into dangerous projectiles.
Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryCardboard shipping boxes from holiday gifts must be broken down and flattened before going into the recycling cart. Foil wrapping paper, ribbons, and styrofoam peanuts are NOT recyclable and belong in the trash.
Spring Landscaping
March - MayIf you hire a professional landscaper or tree surgeon for spring yard cleanups, they are required by county ordinance to haul away the debris they create. Curbside yard waste collection is intended only for debris generated by the homeowner.
About Merritt Island Waste Management
Navigating Waste Services in Unincorporated Brevard
Because Merritt Island is an unincorporated community within Brevard County, residential solid waste services are governed by the county's franchise agreement with Waste Management (WM). Homeowners are provided with automated carts for standard household garbage (collected twice a week) and a dedicated single-stream recycling cart (collected once a week). All carts and yard waste must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection days to ensure service.
Expanded Recycling Capabilities: To-Go Cups Now Accepted
Brevard County and Waste Management recently updated their single-stream recycling guidelines to be more inclusive. Merritt Island residents can now place both paper and plastic to-go cups into their recycling carts, alongside standard plastics, paper, and cardboard. However, the golden rule remains: all containers must be completely empty and lightly rinsed, and recyclables must never be placed inside plastic bags.
Yard Waste Regulations for Coastal Properties
Maintaining lawns and trees in Merritt Island's coastal climate generates a lot of debris. WM provides manual curbside yard waste collection, but strict preparation is required. Loose materials like pine needles, grass clippings, and small twigs must be placed in reusable garbage cans (up to 40 gallons). Branches and tree trunks must be cut to lengths of four feet or less, weigh under 50 pounds, and be stacked uniformly within five feet of the curb.
Bulk Trash and Appliance Handling
When disposing of oversized items that cannot fit inside your green garbage cart, you can utilize the county's bulk waste service. Standard household furniture can be set out curbside on your designated bulk pickup day. However, 'white goods' like refrigerators or washing machines require special handling. WM will tag appliances left at the curb and deploy a specialized truck to collect them for recycling within 48 hours of your regular bulk collection day.
Drop-off Facilities
Central Disposal Facility
2250 Adamson Road, Cocoa, FL 32926
Materials Accepted
Sarno Landfill and Transfer Station
3379 Sarno Road, Melbourne, FL 32934
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recycle my plastic to-go cups in Merritt Island?
Yes! Brevard County and Waste Management recently expanded their single-stream recycling program to accept paper and plastic to-go cups. Ensure they are completely empty and lightly rinsed before placing them loosely in the recycling cart.
Who do I call if my garbage wasn't picked up?
Since Merritt Island is an unincorporated area of Brevard County, residential waste is managed by Waste Management. You should report a missed pickup or cart issue directly to WM customer service at 321-636-6894.
What are the rules for yard waste on Merritt Island?
Yard waste must not be placed in plastic bags. Loose debris (leaves, twigs) must be placed in a reusable garbage can of 40 gallons or less. Limbs and branches must be cut to lengths of 4 feet or less, weigh less than 50 pounds, and be stacked neatly near the curb.
Does trash get picked up on Thanksgiving Day in Brevard County?
No. Brevard County landfills and Waste Management operations are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. If your collection day falls on or after a holiday during the week, service will be delayed by one day.