Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sebastian
Trash Day
Once per week, Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone
Recycling
Once per week on your designated collection route day
Yard Waste
Once per week on your scheduled collection day
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Universal trash, yard waste, and recycling services are contracted through Waste Management, while water and sewer utility services are managed through Indian River County Utilities.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Green/Gray 96-Gallon WM Cart Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be securely bagged and placed inside the officially issued WM cart. Old personal carts or outdated subscription carts placed at the curb will not be serviced.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Textiles
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and placed loosely into the blue cart. Never bag your recyclables, as plastic bags jam the sorting equipment at the processing center.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard
- ✓Paper and mail
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is collected once per week. It must be prepared according to WM and city guidelines (containerized or bundled) to ensure safe manual or automated lifting by the collection crews.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Small branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per week (On-Call)
Placement
Place bulk items neatly at the curb, clearly separated from your regular garbage carts and yard waste piles. Ensure they are well clear of low-hanging wires, mailboxes, and parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Couches
- ✓ Large household appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Automotive parts
Up to four standard bulk items are included in your monthly universal service fee. Excessive move-out piles or unapproved construction materials may require a separate fee or a roll-off dumpster rental.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no collection service for trash, recycling, yard waste, or bulk waste on these major holidays. Collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular household garbage.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, it generally does not disrupt the standard Monday through Friday residential collection routes.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberBefore a named storm impacts the Treasure Coast, secure all WM carts inside a garage or shed. Do not place yard waste or bulk items at the curb if a storm watch or warning is issued, as high winds turn loose debris into dangerous projectiles.
Snowbird Season
November to AprilSebastian sees a significant population increase during the winter months. With more traffic and heavier route volumes for WM drivers, always ensure your carts are at the curb by 6:00 a.m. to avoid missing your pickup.
Summer
May to SeptemberThe intense Florida heat and humidity accelerate the decomposition of organic waste. Always double-bag food scraps and diapers before tossing them in your garbage cart to prevent severe odors and pest infestations in your neighborhood.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans and Bottles into Cold Cash Around Sebastian!
Did you know some of your recyclables can actually earn you a little spending money right here in the Sebastian area? While curbside recycling is great, for that extra bit of cash, look into local scrap yards. For example, Coastal Scrap & Recycling in nearby Fort Pierce often takes aluminum, steel, and other metals. And don't forget about those redeemable beverage containers! Florida has a deposit program for many cans and bottles. While not a dedicated buyback center, some larger grocery stores or smaller convenience stores might participate in the redemption of these specific items, letting you get a few cents back for each one. It's a small way to help the environment and your wallet!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Sebastian
Got items that are still perfectly good but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, think about donating! The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Vero Beach is a fantastic spot to drop off furniture, appliances, building materials, and home decor. They then sell these items to fund their affordable housing projects, which is a win-win. You could also explore local thrift stores like The Arc of Indian River County's thrift shop, also in Vero Beach, which accepts clothing, housewares, and more. It’s a wonderful way to keep items out of the landfill and support local causes.
Keeping Sebastian Beautiful: Tackling Unwanted Dumps
While Sebastian works hard to keep things clean, sometimes folks unfortunately dump trash where they shouldn't. If you ever spot illegal dumping, the best thing to do is report it. For our area, you'll want to contact the Indian River County Solid Waste Disposal District. They have a process for handling these situations and can often arrange for cleanup. Sometimes, you might even see community cleanup events organized by local groups – keeping an eye on city or county social media pages can let you know when these opportunities pop up. Participating is a great way to directly help your neighborhood shine!
Drop-off Facilities
Indian River County Main Landfill
1325 74th Ave SW, Vero Beach, FL 32968
Materials Accepted
Roseland Customer Convenience Center (CCC)
7860 130th Street, Roseland, FL 32958
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Did trash collection rules change in Sebastian recently?
Yes. As of July 1, 2023, the City of Sebastian transitioned to a mandatory universal curbside collection service managed by Waste Management (WM), completely replacing the previous individual subscription model.
Can I request a smaller garbage cart from Waste Management?
Yes. While all Sebastian residents initially received a 96-gallon cart, you can contact WM customer service at 772-569-1776 to request a container exchange for a smaller 64-gallon or 35-gallon cart if the default size is too large for your needs.
What holidays cause a delay in my Sebastian trash pickup?
Waste Management observes New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your regular collection falls on or after one of these holidays, service will be pushed back by one day for the remainder of that week.
How do I get rid of large furniture or appliances in Sebastian?
Under the universal collection program, residents are entitled to the pickup of up to four (4) bulk items per week. You should contact Waste Management to schedule an on-call bulk pickup so the proper heavy-duty truck is routed to your property.