Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sebastian
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.
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 Old personal carts or outdated subscription carts placed at the curb will not be serviced.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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Loose and Unbagged
Never put recycling in plastic garbage bags. The sorting facility equipment gets jammed by flexible plastics, which turns your well-intentioned recycling efforts into standard landfill waste.
Flatten All Cardboard Boxes
Break down all shipping and moving boxes before placing them in your blue recycling cart. Intact boxes take up too much volume and can wedge other materials inside, preventing the cart from emptying fully into the automated truck.
Exclude Tanglers from Curbside Bins
Keep items like garden hoses, holiday lights, and extension cords out of your recycling cart. These 'tanglers' cause severe mechanical breakdowns at the Indian River County recycling facilities.
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.
About Sebastian Waste Management
Transitioning to Universal Waste Collection in Sebastian
In July 2023, the City of Sebastian fundamentally updated its residential waste management strategy by adopting a universal curbside collection program. Managed by Waste Management (WM), this mandatory service ensures that every household within the city limits receives standardized weekly pickups for household garbage, yard debris, and bulk items, streamlining neighborhood cleanliness along the Treasure Coast and eliminating the old individual subscription model.
Understanding Your WM Cart Options
As part of the universal service rollout, all residences were equipped with standard 96-gallon rolling garbage carts. However, the city recognizes that smaller households may not generate enough waste to justify such a large bin. If you find the default size unmanageable, residents have the option to contact Waste Management's customer experience team to request a downsize to a more compact 64-gallon or 35-gallon cart.
Indian River County Convenience Centers
When you generate more refuse than your weekly cart can handle, Sebastian residents benefit from the Indian River County Solid Waste Disposal District (SWDD). The district operates five Customer Convenience Centers (CCCs) across the county. These drop-off locations are ideal for excess household trash, oversized cardboard, and specific recyclable materials that might not fit into your standard blue curbside bin.
Protecting the St. Sebastian River and Lagoon
Proper yard waste disposal isn't just about neighborhood aesthetics; it's vital for local water quality in Sebastian. Residents are required to keep yard trimmings, grass clippings, and leaves out of storm drains and public waterways. Utilizing the weekly yard waste collection service prevents nutrient-heavy vegetative debris from polluting the St. Sebastian River and the broader Indian River Lagoon ecosystem.
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.