Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Miami Gardens
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 (96-gallon standard) Bin (Trash)
Place cart at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Keep 5 feet away from mailboxes, cars, and trees, with the wheels facing your home.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓General refuse
Blue Cart (65-gallon standard) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely loose and unbagged. The lid must be completely closed for collection. Do not stuff the bin so tightly that items get stuck.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard
- ✓Paper (newspaper, office paper, magazines)
- ✓Steel and aluminum cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic tubs, jugs, and bottles
- ✓Aseptic poly-coated cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers like hoses or cords
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Small yard waste can go in the green garbage cart. Larger yard debris should be scheduled via the Bulky Appointment System or dropped off at the Norwood Trash and Recycling Center.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree branches (under 5 feet long for bulky)
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only (2 times per year)
Placement
Schedule online or via the app first. Place items at the curb no more than 3 days before your appointment, and by 7 a.m. on the collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Rolled carpets
- ✓ White goods (appliances, doors removed)
- ✓ Yard trash and tree limbs (under 5 feet long)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Car parts
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris (over 3 cubic yards)
- ✕ Commercial waste
Included in the annual non-ad valorem assessment for 2 pickups up to 25 cubic yards. Exceeding limits will consume your next pickup or require private hauler fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management operates normally on most holidays, except for MLK Jr. Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. On these three days, there is no collection.
Yard Waste Exception
Bulky waste appointments and Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers are also closed or suspended on these three specific holidays.
Because garbage is collected twice a week, if your pickup falls on one of the three observed holidays, your next collection will simply be on your next regularly scheduled service day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Say No to Tanglers and Bags
Never bag your recyclables or include tanglers like garden hoses, holiday lights, and extension cords in the blue bin. These items shut down Miami-Dade's recycling machinery.
Close the Cart Lid Completely
Your green and blue carts must have their lids fully closed to be serviced. Items protruding from the top will prevent the automated arm from lifting the cart safely, resulting in a missed pickup.
Keep Bulky Piles Clear of Obstacles
When setting out your scheduled bulky waste, ensure a 15-foot vertical clearance from trees and power lines, and keep the pile at least 5 feet from parked cars and fire hydrants.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberOnce a hurricane watch or warning is issued, Miami-Dade County suspends all bulky waste scheduling. Bring all green and blue carts indoors or secure them tightly to prevent them from becoming dangerous wind-borne projectiles.
Tropical Summer Rain
May to OctoberFrequent South Florida downpours can fill an open trash cart with water, making it too heavy for the collection trucks to lift. Always keep the lids completely closed to keep the rain out and reduce mosquito breeding.
Holiday Season Volumes
December to JanuaryWith extra packaging from the holidays, break down all cardboard boxes so they fit loosely in your blue cart. Clean, decoration-free Christmas trees can be dropped off for mulching at designated county Trash and Recycling Centers after Christmas.
About Miami Gardens Waste Management
Miami-Dade County Manages Miami Gardens Solid Waste
Unlike some independent municipalities, the City of Miami Gardens utilizes the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management for its residential trash and recycling services. Homeowners receive twice-weekly garbage pickups using the county's automated green carts and every-other-week recycling collection in the blue carts. This large-scale operation ensures consistent service across the vast metro area while standardizing sustainability initiatives.
The Innovative On-Demand Bulky Waste System
Miami Gardens residents enjoy a highly flexible, appointment-based bulky waste collection system. Instead of waiting for a predetermined date, households can schedule their own pickups online or via the MDC Solid Waste app. Each home is granted two massive 25-cubic-yard collections annually, which can even be combined into one giant 50-cubic-yard removal, perfect for spring cleaning or storm recovery.
Strict Rules on Recycling Plastic Bags
Contamination is a major hurdle for the county's automated sorting facilities. While Miami-Dade actively recycles cartons, tubs, and glass, all recyclables must be placed loose in the blue bin. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited as they wrap around the sorting gears at the recycling center. If you bag your recyclables, your cart may be tagged and left at the curb.
Norwood Trash and Recycling Center Access
Living in Miami Gardens provides ultra-convenient access to the Norwood Trash and Recycling Center located right on NW 7th Avenue. This facility is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., giving locals a convenient drop-off spot for excess yard waste, moving boxes, and select household chemicals. It's a fantastic backup option if you've missed your regular pickup day or exhausted your bulky waste limits.
Drop-off Facilities
Norwood Trash and Recycling Center
19901 NW 7th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33169
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does bulk trash pickup work in Miami Gardens?
Because Miami Gardens uses Miami-Dade County's waste services, bulky waste is collected strictly by appointment. Residents get two 25-cubic-yard pickups annually. You must schedule your pickup online, via the MDC Solid Waste App, or by calling 311 before placing any debris at the curb.
Which holidays disrupt trash pickup in Miami Gardens?
Miami-Dade County only suspends garbage and recycling collection on three holidays: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. On all other holidays, including Thanksgiving and Memorial Day, you should place your carts out as normal.
Can I get a replacement garbage bin if mine breaks?
Yes. If your green trash cart or blue recycling cart is damaged during normal collection, Miami-Dade County will repair or replace it for free. You can request a replacement by calling 311 or submitting a request online. Note that a $50 fee applies if the damage was due to misuse.
Where can I drop off extra trash if I miss my collection day?
Miami Gardens residents can utilize the Norwood Trash and Recycling Center, conveniently located at 19901 NW 7th Avenue. It is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and accepts yard waste, bulky items, and standard recyclables.