Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Miami Lakes
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)
Bag all garbage securely before placing it in the green cart. Ensure the lid is fully closed. Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated service days, maintaining at least 3 feet of clearance from mailboxes, cars, and other carts.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled paper
- ✓Small plastic wrappers and bags
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not put plastic bags in the recycling cart. Place all approved recyclables loosely in the cart. Items must be reasonably clean and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Dry paper, newspaper, and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags (of any kind)
- ✕Bagged recyclables
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Small amounts of yard waste may be placed inside the green garbage cart. Larger quantities must be scheduled as one of your two annual bulky waste pickups.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small tree branches (cut to fit inside the cart)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two times per calendar year (By Appointment)
Placement
Place items curbside no earlier than 3 days prior to your appointment, and no later than 7:00 a.m. on the day of. Must have a 15-foot vertical overhead clearance and be 5 feet away from cars, mailboxes, and trees.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses (must be sealed in plastic)
- ✓ Yard trash (limbs under 5 feet long)
- ✓ Large household appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Rolled fencing (chain link/wood, under 5 feet high)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (drywall, tile, concrete)
- ✕ Household chemical waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Automotive parts (tires, batteries)
- ✕ Biological waste
The two 25-cubic-yard pickups are included in your annual solid waste assessment fee. If you exceed the volume limit or need additional pickups beyond your allotted two, you will be subject to a cubic yard fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Miami-Dade Solid Waste Management operates on almost all minor holidays. Garbage and recycling collections are NOT provided on MLK Jr. Day, Independence Day, or Christmas Day.
Yard Waste Exception
If your regular pickup day falls on one of the three observed holidays, your service will simply be skipped, and your garbage will be collected on your next regularly scheduled pickup day.
On unobserved holidays (like Thanksgiving or Labor Day), place your carts out as normal by 7:00 a.m.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Loose is the Law for Recycling
Never throw plastic garbage bags into your blue recycling cart. Miami-Dade County requires all recyclables to remain completely loose. Plastic film wraps around the sorting gears at the recycling facility and causes massive delays.
Mattress Protection Mandate
If you are discarding an old mattress via bulk pickup, Miami-Dade County rules dictate it must be entirely encased in a plastic bag or sleeve and sealed shut with heavy-duty tape. This prevents the transmission of bed bugs.
No Electronics in the Bulk Pile
Do not put old televisions, computers, or VCRs in your bulky waste pile. It is illegal to take these items to the landfill. They must be dropped off at a designated Home Chemical and Electronic Collection Center.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberWhen a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued by Miami-Dade County, immediately stop all pruning and yard work. Do not place bulk items or yard debris at the curb, and secure your green and blue carts indoors or in a garage.
Post-Storm Recovery
As NeededAfter a severe storm, standard bulky waste rules are suspended. Do not mix your vegetative yard debris (trees, fronds) with structural debris (fencing, roofing). Wait for specific instructions from the county regarding emergency FEMA debris sweeps.
Spring Cleaning
March to MayThis is a popular time for scheduling one of your two annual bulky waste pickups. Remember that tree limbs in your bulk pile must be cut to less than five feet in length to be accepted by the collection claws.
About Miami Lakes Waste Management
Miami-Dade County Operates Residential Waste for Miami Lakes
Rather than managing its own municipal sanitation fleet, the Town of Miami Lakes relies entirely on the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) for residential garbage and recycling services. The county utilizes an automated dual-cart system, collecting the green garbage cart twice a week and the blue recycling cart once every other week. Miami Lakes residents must place their carts at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection day, ensuring there is a clear space around the bins for the automated truck arms to operate safely.
Strict Recycling Protocols Under County Guidelines
Miami-Dade County enforces a single-stream recycling program, but strict rules apply to what goes in the blue cart. Miami Lakes residents must ensure all recyclables, including glass, metal, cardboard, and select plastics, are placed loosely inside the bin. The most significant violation is bagging recyclables; plastic grocery bags will severely damage the sorting equipment at the county's Materials Recovery Facility. If in doubt about a specific item, the county encourages residents to download the Scrapp Recycling App or default to throwing the questionable item in the regular green trash cart.
The Two-Pickup Annual Bulk Waste Limit
Unlike some neighboring cities that offer monthly scheduled bulk days, Miami Lakes properties operating under the county system receive exactly two scheduled bulk waste pickups per calendar year. Each requested pickup allows for up to 25 cubic yards of large household items, furniture, or yard debris. Residents can opt to combine their two pickups into a single massive 50-cubic-yard collection if needed. Importantly, residents must call 311 or schedule the pickup online before placing any materials at the curb; unauthorized piles can result in code enforcement fines.
Handling Hazardous and Unacceptable Items
The county's collection trucks will absolutely not pick up construction debris, wet paint, motor oil, or hazardous chemicals from your curbside. Miami Lakes residents must take household chemical waste to a designated Miami-Dade Home Chemical Collection Center, the closest being the West Dade facility in Doral. Additionally, mattresses set out for bulk collection are subject to a strict new county rule: they must be completely sealed inside a plastic mattress bag or sleeve and taped shut to prevent the spread of bed bugs, or they will be left behind and trigger a fine.
Drop-off Facilities
West Dade Home Chemical Collection Center
8801 NW 58 Street, Doral, FL 33178 (Gate B)
Materials Accepted
Golden Glades Trash and Recycling Center
140 NW 160th St, Miami, FL 33169
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Miami Lakes have a weekly bulk trash pickup day?
No. Because Miami Lakes operates under Miami-Dade County's solid waste program, residents do not have a recurring monthly or weekly bulk day. Instead, you are entitled to two scheduled bulky waste pickups of 25 cubic yards each per calendar year. You must call 311 or use the county's online portal to schedule an appointment.
What is the new rule for throwing away mattresses in Miami Lakes?
Miami-Dade County now mandates that all mattresses placed at the curb for bulky waste collection must be completely encased in a plastic mattress bag or sleeve. The plastic covering must be securely sealed with heavy-duty tape (like duct tape) to prevent the spread of bed bugs. Box springs do not require encasement.
Where should I take old paint or pool chemicals since they aren't allowed in the trash?
Household hazardous waste cannot go in your green cart or your bulk pile. Miami Lakes residents can take items like wet paint, solvents, and pesticides to the West Dade Home Chemical Collection Center located at 8801 NW 58 Street in Doral, which is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Will my garbage be picked up on Thanksgiving Day in Miami Lakes?
Yes. Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management operates normal routes on Thanksgiving Day. The only three holidays where collection is completely suspended are Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Independence Day (July 4th), and Christmas Day.