Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for South Bradenton
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on the same scheduled day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected once per week on the same scheduled day as your regular trash pickup.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste and recycling charges for South Bradenton residents are billed monthly through the Manatee County Utilities Department alongside water and sewer services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (CSS Portal), Phone, Mail, 24/7 Drop Box, In Person (Amscot, Walmart, Tax Collector's Office)
Gray Bin Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely bagged inside the county-provided gray bin. The lid must close completely. Bins must be placed within three feet of the curb before 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Textiles
Blue Bin Bin (Recycling)
Manatee County uses single-stream recycling. All recyclables must be placed loosely into the blue cart. Never put recyclables inside plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean flattened cardboard
- ✓Junk mail, magazines, newspapers
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Drinking glasses, mirrors, or light bulbs
- ✕Garden hoses or fencing
Yard Waste Bin
Place in your own 32-gallon cans (max 50 lbs), heavy-duty bags, or securely tie in bundles using heavy-duty string. Bundles must be 4 feet or shorter, and branches must be 6 inches or smaller in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Tree trimmings and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Monthly (Zoned Day) & Once Annually (Large Volume)
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Ensure items are at least 3 feet away from your gray and blue carts, mailboxes, and low-hanging wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household items
- ✓ White goods and appliances (Requires separate scheduling)
- ✓ Tires (Limit of 2 per collection, must be scheduled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Excessive unbundled yard debris (requires 'Extraordinary Service' fee)
The two monthly items and the one annual 10-cubic-yard pickup are free. Appliances/white goods or exceeding tire limits may incur small fees if taken outside standard limits or taken directly to the landfill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a county-observed holiday falls on a regularly scheduled collection day, all services (garbage, recycling, and yard waste) will be picked up one day later than usual for the rest of the week. Normal service resumes the following Monday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same one-day delay rule as regular trash and recycling.
Lena Road Landfill is also closed on these observed holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring / Hurricane Prep
March and AprilManatee County explicitly advises residents to trim trees and prepare yards in March and April. Do not wait until a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching to generate massive yard waste piles, as collections may be suspended for safety prior to landfall.
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberIn the event of a major storm, FEMA contractors require post-storm debris to be separated into three distinct categories at the curb (e.g., vegetative, construction debris, standard trash). Mixed piles will not be collected by emergency crews.
Post-Holiday Winter
December to JanuaryAfter the winter holidays, residents often have excess oversized cardboard. Remember to break down all boxes completely flat before placing them in the blue bin, or drop them off at a designated Manatee County recycling drop-off park if they don't fit.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans and Bottles into Cash Right Here in South Bradenton!
Did you know you can get a little money back for those aluminum cans and plastic bottles? While Manatee County doesn't have a direct state-run bottle buyback program like some other states, you can still turn recyclables into cash. Local scrap yards often purchase metals, and some may even take certain types of plastics. It's worth checking out places like Bradenton Iron & Metal on 4th Avenue Drive for their current rates. Give them a call to see what they're buying and if it's worth a trip for your sorted recyclables!
Give Gently Used Items a Second Life in South Bradenton's Neighborhoods
Got furniture, clothes, or household items that are still in good shape but you just don't need anymore? Instead of letting them go to the landfill, consider donating them to a local charity. Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Cortez Road in Bradenton is a fantastic option for furniture, appliances, and building materials – plus, your donation helps fund their home-building projects. You can also look into places like The Salvation Army or Goodwill thrift stores in the Bradenton area; they're always looking for quality donations to help support their services and community programs.
Keeping Our South Bradenton Streets Clean: Tackling Dumping & Community Efforts
We all want South Bradenton to look its best, right? If you ever spot illegal dumping – like someone leaving trash bags or old appliances on the side of the road – it's important to report it so it can be cleaned up. Manatee County Solid Waste has a process for this. You can contact them directly to report these issues. While the county doesn't currently list specific upcoming community clean-up events for South Bradenton on their main page, keeping an eye on local community Facebook groups or neighborhood association newsletters is a great way to find out about volunteer clean-up days that pop up.
Drop-off Facilities
Lena Road Landfill
3333 Lena Road, Bradenton, FL 34211
Materials Accepted
Lena Road Landfill HHW Drop-off
3333 Lena Road, Bradenton, FL 34211
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does bulk trash pickup work in South Bradenton?
Under Manatee County's latest program, residents can place up to two (2) bulk items at the curb once per month on a specifically scheduled zoned bulk day. You are also entitled to one (1) free annual large collection (up to 10 cubic yards), which you must schedule in advance through the customer self-service portal or by calling 311.
Where can I take extra trash or large items myself in Manatee County?
You can take extra refuse to the Lena Road Landfill at 3333 Lena Road in Bradenton. Manatee County offers affordable flat rates for residents: it costs $5.00 for passenger vehicles and $23.00 for pickup trucks carrying under 1,000 pounds (without a trailer).
What is the proper way to dispose of yard waste?
Yard waste should be placed in your own 32-gallon trash cans (weighing no more than 50 pounds) or bundled tightly with heavy-duty string. Bundles cannot be longer than 4 feet, and individual branches must be 6 inches or smaller in diameter. Do not put yard waste inside your blue recycling bin or gray trash bin.
Are there free drop-off locations for hazardous chemicals?
Yes. South Bradenton residents can drop off Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)—such as paints, pesticides, motor oil, and pool chemicals—for free at the Lena Road Landfill. This service is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on the third Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.