Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Ocala
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.
Standard Garbage Carts (including repurposed Recycling Carts) Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged before being placed in the cart. Each household may have a maximum of two carts. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day, leaving ample space for automated side loaders.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Previously recyclable materials (if not taken to a drop-off center)
N/A (Curbside Collection Discontinued) Bin (Recycling)
Curbside recycling ended on July 6, 2026. Residents must transport their recyclables to designated Marion County solid waste and recycling centers, such as the Baseline Recycling Center.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Household hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is collected once a week on the same day as your regular garbage. Do not place yard waste in the street, on sidewalks, or over storm drains. It should be kept separate from bulk household items and regular trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular garbage collection day.
Placement
Place items within reach of the curb by 7:00 a.m. Ensure there is plenty of clearance around the items so trucks can safely access them without hitting mailboxes or parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (C&D)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Commercial waste
Standard residential bulk pickup is included in your sanitation fee. However, construction and demolition debris must be handled by private haulers at the resident's expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because standard collections run Monday through Thursday, Fridays act as a buffer. If a major holiday falls during the workweek, collections may be delayed by one day, with Thursday routes being collected on Friday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collections are delayed along with regular household garbage during holiday weeks.
Always check the official City of Ocala sanitation schedule PDF or the city's social media pages a few days before a major holiday to confirm the exact adjusted Friday routing.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Electronics Out of the Trash
E-waste like old TVs, computers, and batteries cannot go into your newly repurposed garbage carts. These items contain heavy metals and must be dropped off at the Baseline Recycling Center or brought to the city's annual Special Waste Amnesty Days.
Bag Your Garbage Thoroughly
Because automated side loaders are used to empty the carts, loose trash can easily blow down Ocala's streets during the dumping process. Ensure all household waste, including items that used to be recycled, is securely tied in trash bags.
Separate Yard Waste from Bulk Items
Even though yard waste and bulk trash are picked up on the same day, they go to different processing areas. Do not mix tree branches with an old mattress or furniture pile. Keep distinct, separate piles at the curb to ensure the crews pick up everything.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberWhen a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching Marion County, immediately stop cutting down trees or placing bulk waste at the curb. High winds can easily turn loose debris and uncollected carts into dangerous projectiles.
Summer Growing Season
May to SeptemberFlorida's heavy summer rains cause rapid grass and weed growth. Remember that city code limits weeds and undergrowth to a maximum of 12 inches. Stay on top of your lawn care and put bagged clippings out on your designated weekly collection day.
Special Waste Amnesty Days
Varies (Typically Spring/Fall)The City of Ocala frequently partners with local haulers to host Special Waste Amnesty Days. These events allow residents to safely dispose of thousands of pounds of household hazardous waste and electronics that are otherwise banned from standard collection.
About Ocala Waste Management
The 2026 Shift to Drop-Off Recycling in Ocala
In a major transition for local waste management, the City of Ocala officially discontinued its curbside recycling program on July 6, 2026. To adapt to rising sanitation costs and ensure the long-term sustainability of municipal services, the city pivoted to a comprehensive citywide drop-off model. Residents must now utilize designated recycling centers scattered throughout Ocala and Marion County to process their paper, plastics, and metals.
Repurposing Your Old Recycling Cart
With the end of curbside recycling, residents do not have to give up their old bins. The city has authorized the conversion of all existing recycling carts into standard garbage carts. Each household is permitted to maintain up to two carts for regular household trash. If you have more than two carts and need the extras removed, you must contact the Ocala Sanitation Division directly.
Streamlined Same-Day Collection Services
Unlike many Florida municipalities that spread waste collection across several days, the City of Ocala provides an incredibly streamlined service. Automated side loaders collect standard garbage, yard waste, and bulk items all on the very same day each week. Standard residential collections happen predominantly Monday through Thursday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., leaving Fridays open for holiday makeup routes.
Strict Code Enforcement for Yard Debris
Ocala takes its neighborhood aesthetics seriously. According to City Code Sec. 34-95, residents are strictly prohibited from leaving junk, trash, or yard debris in their yards outside of scheduled pickup days. Overgrown yards with weeds taller than 12 inches can trigger citations. Always time your pruning and yard cleanups so that debris sits at the curb for the shortest possible duration before your weekly collection day.
Drop-off Facilities
Baseline Landfill and Transfer Station
5601 SE 66th St, Ocala, FL 34480
Materials Accepted
Baseline Recycling Center
5601 SE 66th St, Ocala, FL 34480
Materials Accepted
Newton Recycling Center
1750 NW 100th St, Ocala, FL 34475
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ocala stop collecting recycling at the curb?
Effective July 6, 2026, the City of Ocala transitioned from curbside recycling to a citywide drop-off program. This change was implemented to reduce overall sanitation costs and ensure the long-term sustainability of the city's waste management program. Residents must now take their recyclables to designated Marion County drop-off centers.
What should I do with my old Ocala recycling bin?
You can keep it! The city automatically converted all existing recycling carts into standard household garbage carts following the July 2026 policy change. Each household is permitted to use up to two carts for trash. If you have more than two and want them removed, contact the Sanitation Division.
When does Ocala pick up yard waste and large bulk items?
To keep things simple, the City of Ocala collects standard household garbage, yard waste, and bulk trash all on the exact same day each week. Ensure everything is separated into distinct piles at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
How do holidays affect my trash pickup in Ocala?
Ocala's normal residential collection schedule runs from Monday through Thursday. If a major holiday falls during the week, collection days are typically pushed back by one day, with Thursday's routes being collected on Friday. Always check the city's website for specific holiday week schedules.