Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Nocatee
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.
Personal Trash Can or Secured Plastic Bags Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be placed into trash cans or securely tied plastic bags to prevent wind or animal scattering. No single can or bag may exceed 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small, non-hazardous household items
Blue (County-provided recycling cart) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loosely (unbagged) into the recycling cart. Labels and caps do not need to be removed, but all containers must be empty, clean, and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean and flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper (junk mail, magazines, newspapers)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Ceramics and mirrors
- ✕Garden hoses and wires (tanglers)
- ✕Lithium-ion batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be bagged, bundled, or put in a 32-gallon max personal container. Do not exceed 50 lbs per container/bundle. Loose branches must be stacked neatly and cannot exceed 6 feet in length.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Twigs and small sticks
- ✓Branches and shrubs
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on regular garbage collection day
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Ensure the items do not block the street, storm drains, or mailboxes, and keep them 3 to 5 feet from the roadway edge.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and sectionals
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Other large household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Whole trees and land clearing debris
- ✕ Special waste like tires (without fee payment)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
Standard bulky waste is picked up for free. Appliances (white goods) can also be collected curbside, but you must first contact the Solid Waste Division to schedule the pickup.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
St. Johns County suspends all garbage, yard waste, and recycling collections on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Collections typically resume and slide by one day for the remainder of the holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday suspension and shift schedule as standard household garbage and recycling.
Holidays not listed (such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day) do not affect the collection schedule. Put your bins out on your normal day unless otherwise alerted by the Solid Waste Division.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Tanglers Out
Never place garden hoses, holiday string lights, wire, or plastic grocery bags into your recycling cart. These items wrap around the sorting machinery at the local recycling facility, causing dangerous and costly shutdowns.
Don't Be a Wish-Cycler
If you aren't absolutely sure an item belongs in one of the approved 'Take Five' categories, put it in the regular trash. Hoping something is recyclable often leads to the contamination of otherwise good, clean materials.
Manage Cardboard Properly
All cardboard must be broken down and flattened before going into the recycling cart. If you have excess cardboard, cut it into 3-foot by 3-foot sections and place it neatly next to your blue cart on service day.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberDuring active storm threats, St. Johns County may suspend collections to keep high-profile vehicles off the roads. Residents are urged not to do major tree pruning right before a storm hits, as uncollected yard debris can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
Spring Cleaning
March to MaySpring is a popular time for landscaping overhauls. Keep in mind that whole trees, landscape timbers, fencing, and land-clearing debris do not qualify as curbside yard waste and will be left behind by the contracted haulers.
Winter Holidays
Late December to JanuaryDue to increased online shopping, cardboard volume surges during the holidays. Nocatee residents can take overflow flattened boxes to the Cardboard Recycling Drop-Off Centers located at the Tillman Ridge or Stratton Road Transfer Stations to clear out their garages quickly.
About Nocatee Waste Management
Sanitation Services in the Nocatee Master-Planned Community
As an expansive master-planned community situated primarily in unincorporated St. Johns County, Nocatee’s residential waste collection is managed entirely by the county's Solid Waste Division. In August 2024, the county transitioned its curbside collection contract to FCC Environmental Services. Nocatee residents must place their household garbage, recycling, and yard waste at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled service day, ensuring bins are 3 to 5 feet away from the roadway and free of obstructions.
Embracing the 'Take Five' Recycling Protocol
To combat the growing issue of 'wish-cycling'—throwing questionable items into the blue bin in hopes they can be recycled—St. Johns County actively promotes the 'Take Five' recycling strategy. Nocatee residents are instructed to place only five specific categories of items into their provided recycling carts. By keeping contaminants like plastic film, styrofoam, and tanglers out of the stream, the local recycling facilities can operate much more efficiently.
Convenient Curbside Bulky Waste Collection
Unlike many municipalities that require residents to pay extra fees or wait for designated community cleanup weeks, St. Johns County offers highly convenient bulk waste collection. Nocatee homeowners can simply place large, bulky items such as mattresses, couches, and household furniture right at the curb next to their regular household garbage. For large white goods (appliances), a simple phone call to the Solid Waste Division is all it takes to schedule a special pickup.
Managing Heavy Florida Yard Debris
Maintaining Nocatee's lush landscaping generates a significant amount of yard waste. Fortunately, residents benefit from weekly curbside yard debris collection. Small clippings, leaves, and twigs must be bagged, bundled, or placed in a standard 32-gallon container. Larger branches and shrubs are allowed but must be neatly stacked, cut to lengths no longer than 6 feet, and weigh no more than 50 pounds per piece to protect the safety of the collection crews.
Combating the Lithium-Ion Battery Hazard
Because incorrect disposal of electronics can spark dangerous truck and facility fires, Nocatee residents are heavily advised against throwing lithium-ion batteries into either their trash or recycling carts. The county requires that these hazardous items be dropped off at designated 'take-back' programs located at local retailers (such as Home Depot or Lowe's) or brought directly to one of the St. Johns County transfer stations.
Drop-off Facilities
Tillman Ridge Transfer Station
3005 Allen Nease Rd, Elkton, FL 32033
Materials Accepted
Stratton Road Transfer Station
250 North Stratton Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32095
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides the residential garbage pickup for Nocatee?
Since Nocatee is primarily located within unincorporated St. Johns County, residential curbside collection is overseen by the St. Johns County Solid Waste Division. As of August 2024, the county's sole contracted residential hauler is FCC Environmental Services.
Can I leave a couch or mattress on the curb in Nocatee?
Yes. St. Johns County allows you to place large, bulky household items—including couches, sectionals, mattresses, and furniture—right at the curb next to your regular garbage on your normally scheduled collection day. No special phone call is required unless it is an appliance.
How large can yard branches be for curbside pickup?
Branches, shrubs, and limbs can be placed at the curb as long as they are stacked neatly, do not exceed 6 feet in length, and weigh no more than 50 pounds per piece. Whole trees and land-clearing debris are strictly prohibited.
Do I need to remove labels and caps from my recyclables?
No, you do not need to remove labels or plastic caps prior to recycling in St. Johns County. However, you must ensure that all items are empty, rinsed clean, and completely dry before placing them loosely into your blue recycling cart.