Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Rockledge
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.
City-issued Cart (The 'HOBO') Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be tightly bagged before being placed inside the HOBO cart to prevent messes and foul odors. Loose garbage is prohibited. Set carts out by 7:00 a.m. and remove them by 7:00 p.m. the same day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Kitchen waste
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Small non-recyclable items
- ✓Food wrappers
Blue Cart with Yellow Lid Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely into the cart (do not bag them). Containers should be lightly rinsed and free of food residue to ensure they are properly processed at the sorting facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and office paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (rinsed)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Garbage and food waste
- ✕Yard trash
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
- ✕Propane tanks and needles
Yard Waste Bin
Absolutely no paper or plastic bags allowed. Containerize small loose debris in a 5 to 40-gallon reusable metal or plastic bin. Branches cannot exceed 5 feet in length or 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Tree limbs and branches
- ✓Shrubbery trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every Wednesday (Excluding Holiday Weeks)
Placement
Items must be placed curbside on Wednesday morning, separate from your regular household garbage cart. You must call by noon on Tuesday to secure a spot on the list.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and furniture
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (doors removed)
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and dishwashers
- ✓ Treated wood and moderate construction debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, paint)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Used motor oil
- ✕ Biohazardous materials
Standard bulky waste pickup is generally included for residents, but exceptionally large amounts of construction debris or land-clearing materials may require special handling.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, city administrative offices close and normal collection days are often shifted. Residents must refer to the officially published Holiday Collection Schedule for the exact make-up days.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same holiday shifting schedule as household garbage. Note that special Wednesday bulk pickups are cancelled entirely during certain holiday weeks.
Always place your carts out by 7:00 a.m., even on a holiday make-up day, as route timing can vary significantly from your normal schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Tanglers Out of the Blue Bin
Items such as garden hoses, holiday string lights, extension cords, and wire hangers should never be placed in your recycling cart. They tangle the mechanical sorting screens at the recycling center, causing costly shutdowns.
Bag Your Trash, Loose Your Recycling
It is a strict rule in Rockledge to bag all of your regular household trash before putting it in the HOBO cart. Conversely, you must never bag your recyclables. Bagged recycling is often discarded as trash because workers cannot see what is inside.
Rinse Your Containers
A half-full soda bottle or a greasy food container can ruin a whole bin of otherwise perfectly good cardboard and paper. Always give your plastics and cans a light rinse and shake them dry before recycling.
Seasonal Information
Thanksgiving Week
NovemberThe City of Rockledge suspends its Wednesday 'Special Pick-Up' bulk service during the week of Thanksgiving. If you are planning to throw out an old appliance or furniture piece, be sure to schedule it for the week prior or the week after.
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberDuring an active hurricane warning, cease all major tree trimming and do not place large bulk items or yard debris at the curb. High winds can turn loose branches and unwanted furniture into dangerous, airborne projectiles.
Spring Landscaping
March to MayAs the weather warms up and grass growth accelerates, ensure you are abiding by the strict container rules. Never place spring yard clippings into plastic bags; use the required 5-40 gallon reusable bins.
About Rockledge Waste Management
Meet the 'HOBO' Garbage Cart
The City of Rockledge utilizes a highly efficient municipal collection system, affectionately naming their city-issued wheeled garbage containers the 'HOBO.' Residents are strictly required to bag all of their kitchen and household waste before placing it into the HOBO to maintain sanitation and extend the life of the cart. The city even recommends pressure washing or bleaching your cart once a month. Your HOBO must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day.
Special Pick-Up Wednesdays
Unlike other municipalities that require expensive fees or limit bulk collection to an annual event, Rockledge provides a dedicated 'Special Pick-Up' service every Wednesday. This weekly collection is designed for large, bulky items like mattresses, furniture, and appliances that cannot fit inside the standard HOBO cart. However, this is not an automatic service; homeowners must call the Sanitation Division by noon on Tuesday to be successfully added to the Wednesday routing list.
Strict Yard Waste Container Rules
Brevard County and the City of Rockledge have very specific guidelines for managing yard debris. One of the most critical rules to remember is that you cannot use plastic or paper bags for yard waste. All loose materials such as leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings must be containerized in a galvanized metal or durable plastic garbage can between 5 and 40 gallons. Limbs and branches must be cut to lengths of 5 feet or less and weigh under 50 pounds.
Single-Stream Recycling with the Blue Cart
Rockledge participates in a convenient single-stream recycling program, meaning residents do not need to sort their paper, plastics, and metals. Homes are provided with a blue wheeled container featuring a yellow lid. The city issues a stern warning that absolutely no garbage or yard trash is permitted inside these recycling carts. Mixing household waste into the blue bin contaminates the load and forces the recyclables to be redirected to the landfill.
Drop-off Facilities
Brevard County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
Various locations across Brevard County (Call 321-633-2043 for the nearest active site)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a HOBO cart in Rockledge?
The 'HOBO' is the official name given by the City of Rockledge to your wheeled household garbage container. You are required to place all regular household trash into this cart in tied bags to keep it clean and odor-free.
How do I throw out a mattress or large appliance?
Rockledge runs a 'Special Pick-Up' route every Wednesday for bulky items like mattresses and appliances. You must call the Sanitation Division at (321) 221-7540 by noon on Tuesday to be added to the collection list. If discarding a refrigerator, the doors must be completely removed.
Can I put my grass clippings in a black plastic trash bag?
No. Brevard County and Rockledge solid waste rules strictly prohibit the use of plastic or paper bags for yard waste. All leaves and grass clippings must be placed in a durable metal or plastic garbage can ranging from 5 to 40 gallons.
Does Rockledge pick up bulk trash on Thanksgiving week?
No. The Wednesday Special Pick-Up service is explicitly cancelled during the week of Thanksgiving. You will need to wait until the following week's Wednesday schedule to discard your bulk items.