Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for North Lauderdale
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.
Typically Green or Black Cart (96-gallon) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged. Do not overfill the container—the lid must close tightly. Place wheels against the curb by 7:00 a.m. and remove the cart by the end of the day. Keep 3 feet of clearance around the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Lightly used textiles (if not donated)
Typically Blue or Green Cart with specific lid Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely inside the cart. Do not bag them. Rinse containers lightly to remove food residue and ensure items are dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Dry paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic and paper to-go cups
Do NOT Include
- ✕Loose plastic bags and shrink film
- ✕Bagged recyclables
- ✕Food and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Small items should be bagged and placed in the regular trash cart. Large branches and palm fronds should be neatly stacked at the curb for the weekly bulk collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Branches
- ✓Bagged grass and leaves (in standard trash cart)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your designated recycling day
Placement
Place items curbside before 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day, but no earlier than 24 hours in advance.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and mattresses
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Large appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Neatly stacked tree trimmings and palm fronds
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, bricks)
- ✕ Automotive parts, engines, or tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paints, oils, chemicals)
- ✕ Contractor-generated landscaping waste
Standard residential bulk pickup is included in your city solid waste assessment. Excessive land clearing debris or commercial waste will not be collected and requires hiring a private hauler.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week are pushed back by one day (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Bulk and yard waste follow the exact same holiday shift schedule as standard garbage and recycling.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are absolutely no delays to the regular weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Unbagged
Never place your recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag. Bagged recyclables cannot be opened by the automated sorting facility and will be discarded as trash. Keep all cardboard, cans, and bottles loose in the recycling cart.
Empty Liquids Before Recycling
While North Lauderdale now accepts paper and plastic to-go cups, they must be completely empty. Leftover coffee, soda, or ice will ruin paper and cardboard in the bin, turning the entire load into unrecyclable mush.
The Lid Must Close
Do not pile extra garbage bags on top of or next to your 96-gallon trash cart. Waste Management requires the lid to close tightly. Overflowing waste is a violation and may result in a missed pickup or extra service fees.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberWhen a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued for Broward County, immediately cease all major yard pruning. Do not place bulk items or yard debris at the curb, as high winds can turn these objects into dangerous projectiles.
Winter Holidays
December - JanuaryHoliday shipping boxes take up a lot of space. Be sure to break down and flatten all corrugated cardboard boxes so they fit entirely inside your recycling cart, allowing the lid to close.
Spring Cleaning
March - MayIf your spring cleaning involves home renovations, remember that construction and demolition debris (like concrete, bricks, and drywall) is strictly prohibited from standard bulk pickup. You must hire a private roll-off dumpster.
About North Lauderdale Waste Management
Automated Waste Collection in North Lauderdale
The City of North Lauderdale partners with Waste Management (WM) to provide residential solid waste services. Single-family homes utilize an automated cart system, typically receiving twice-a-week garbage collection using 96-gallon carts. To ensure your trash is picked up, the cart must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day with the wheels facing the curb. A strict closed-lid policy is enforced, meaning overflowing trash or bags left on the ground may be subject to additional fees or ignored entirely by the automated trucks.
Weekly Bulk Trash and Large Item Pickups
Unlike some Broward County municipalities that only offer monthly cleanups, North Lauderdale routes are generally scheduled for weekly bulk collection on the same day as your recycling service. Residents can place oversized household items—such as couches, mattresses, tables, and large appliances—directly on the swale. However, bulk piles must not be placed out more than 24 hours before the scheduled collection time, and they must be kept well away from mailboxes, cars, and overhead utility lines so the claw trucks can operate safely.
Expanded Recycling Acceptability
North Lauderdale's recycling program, managed by WM, has recently expanded to accept plastic and paper to-go cups, giving residents more ways to reduce their landfill footprint. The program focuses on three basic rules: only recycle dry bottles, cans, paper, and cardboard; keep all food and liquids out of the bin; and absolutely no plastic bags or film. Bagged recyclables will be treated as contamination and sent to the landfill.
Vegetative Debris and Yard Waste Handling
With Florida's rapid plant growth, managing yard waste is a year-round task. Standard, small amounts of yard clippings can be bagged and placed inside your regular 96-gallon trash cart. Larger tree trimmings, branches, and palm fronds should be neatly stacked at the curb for collection on your designated weekly bulk pickup day. Avoid mixing yard debris with heavy construction materials, as commercial landscaper waste and land clearing debris are not eligible for curbside collection.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Offs
Residents cannot dispose of hazardous chemicals, wet paint, motor oil, or old electronics in their curbside WM bins. Instead, North Lauderdale participates in Broward County's cooperative HHW program. You can safely dispose of these toxic materials at the Broward County Residential Drop-Off Centers, such as the North Drop-Off Center on Powerline Road in Pompano Beach, which operates on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Proof of residency is required.
Drop-off Facilities
Broward County North Drop-Off Center
2780 N. Powerline Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Materials Accepted
Broward County Landfill
7101 SW 205th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33332
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my garbage cart was missed in North Lauderdale?
If your cart was out by 7:00 a.m. with the lid closed and was missed, you can report a missed pickup directly through the WM online portal after 6:00 p.m. on your service day. The link to report remains active for 72 hours.
Can I put my bulk trash out over the weekend?
You are legally prohibited from placing bulk trash at the curb more than 24 hours prior to your scheduled collection day. Doing so violates city code and could result in a citation.
Does North Lauderdale recycle coffee and to-go cups?
Yes. Waste Management recently updated its guidelines for the area, meaning clean and dry plastic and paper to-go cups are now accepted in your recycling bin. However, styrofoam cups are still strictly prohibited.
Where can I throw away old house paint and pool chemicals?
These are considered Household Hazardous Waste and cannot go in your curbside bins. You must take them to a Broward County Residential Drop-Off Center, such as the location on Powerline Road in Pompano Beach, open on Saturdays.