Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sarasota
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-supplied 95-gallon cart Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be bagged before being placed inside the 95-gallon cart to prevent windblown litter. Carts must be placed at the curb with the lid opening facing the street and at least 3 feet of clearance from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and packaging
- ✓Styrofoam (bagged)
City-supplied 65-gallon cart Bin (Recycling)
Place items loosely in the 65-gallon recycling cart. Never bag recyclables. Bins should be placed curbside by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and office paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (Plastics #1 and #2)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
- ✕Sharp metal objects
- ✕Liquids
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be placed in paper yard bags, reusable cans, or securely tied in bundles. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Bundles must generally be under 4 feet in length and weigh less than 40 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Pine needles
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a week
Placement
Keep bulk items at least 3 feet away from your garbage and recycling carts, mailboxes, utility poles, and parked cars to allow automated trucks safe access.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ White goods and large appliances
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (drywall, concrete)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Commercial landscaping debris
Standard household bulk pickup is included in your municipal solid waste fee. Excessive piles or construction cleanouts require a private roll-off dumpster or a special haul fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a designated holiday falls on a weekday, solid waste, recycling, and yard waste collection is typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular household garbage.
The Central County Landfill closes on these five major holidays. Always verify specific neighborhood schedule shifts via the city's Cart Smart tool during holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Liquids Out of the Cart
Tossing half-full beverage containers into your recycling cart can ruin an entire load of clean paper and cardboard. Ensure all bottles and cans are completely empty and dry before recycling them.
Plastic Bags Shut Down the Plant
Never bag your recyclables. Thin plastic grocery bags wrap around the spinning gears at the material recovery facility, forcing the entire plant to shut down so workers can manually cut the machinery free.
Protect Workers from Sharp Metals
Placing loose, sharp metal items or scrap metal in your recycling cart poses a severe laceration hazard to the manual sorters at the recycling facility. Take scrap metal directly to the landfill or a specialized scrap dealer.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued, do not place yard waste, bulk items, or regular carts at the curb. Wait for an official 'all clear' from Sarasota County Emergency Management, as high winds can turn debris into dangerous projectiles.
Snowbird Season
Winter/SpringSeasonal residents leaving Sarasota for the summer should note that the unit service availability charge for municipal utilities applies regardless of active water/sewer consumption if the account remains active for 5 or more days of the billing cycle.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryLive Christmas trees are collected as yard waste. However, all lights, ornaments, and tinsel must be completely removed, and trees taller than 6 feet must be cut down into segments shorter than 4 feet before being placed at the curb.
About Sarasota Waste Management
Municipal In-House Waste Collection in Sarasota
Unlike unincorporated areas of the county that rely on private franchises, the City of Sarasota directly manages residential garbage and recycling collection using in-house municipal staff. The Solid Waste Division provides residents with a 95-gallon cart for household trash and a 65-gallon cart for single-stream recycling, utilizing a modern fleet of semi-automated and fully automated collection trucks to keep city streets clean efficiently.
Mandatory Recycling Ordinance (Chapter 16)
Sarasota takes its environmental footprint seriously. Under Chapter 16, Division 1 of the City Code, recycling is strictly mandatory for both residential households and commercial businesses. The city partners with a specialized material recovery facility to process curbside recyclables, actively compressing materials into one-ton blocks that are shipped to domestic and international mills for repurposing.
The 'Leaf It Out' Plastic Bag Ban
Because all city yard waste is ultimately processed at the Central County Landfill in Nokomis, Sarasota residents must comply with the county-wide 'Leaf It Out' initiative. This rule strictly prohibits the use of plastic garbage bags for yard debris. All grass clippings, leaves, and plant trimmings must be placed in reusable containers, brown paper lawn bags, or tied into manageable bundles.
Managing Your Bins with Click-2-Fix and Cart Smart
The City of Sarasota leverages technology to streamline waste management. Residents can download the Click-2-Fix mobile app to instantly request cart repairs, order additional recycling bins, or report a missed pickup. Additionally, the city's website features the interactive 'Cart Smart' sorting tool, which allows users to search hundreds of specific household items to find exact disposal instructions.
Weekly Bulk and E-Waste Curbside Service
Getting rid of old furniture and electronics is highly convenient for City of Sarasota residents. The Solid Waste Division provides a once-a-week curbside collection for large bulky items and electronic waste (e-waste). As long as these items are properly prepared and placed at the curb alongside standard waste carts, in-house crews will haul them away without the need to transport them to a distant transfer station.
Drop-off Facilities
Central County Solid Waste Disposal Complex (Landfill)
4000 Knights Trail Road, Nokomis, FL 34275
Materials Accepted
Bee Ridge Chemical Collection Center
8750 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34241
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling mandatory in the City of Sarasota?
Yes. Under Chapter 16, Division 1 of the City Code, participating in the recycling program is mandatory for all residential homes and commercial businesses operating within the city limits.
How do I request a new garbage or recycling cart if mine is damaged?
City residents can request a new or additional 95-gallon garbage cart or 65-gallon recycling cart by using the city's Click-2-Fix mobile app, or by calling the Solid Waste Division directly at 941-263-6170.
Can I put my grass clippings in a plastic bag?
No. Due to the 'Leaf It Out' initiative at the Sarasota County Landfill, plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste. You must use paper lawn bags, reusable containers, or bundle your branches.
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and pool chemicals?
Household hazardous waste like liquid paint, pool chemicals, and motor oil cannot go in your curbside bins. They must be taken to the Bee Ridge Chemical Collection Center located at 8750 Bee Ridge Road.