Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for South Bradenton
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Banish the Plastic Bags from Blue Bins
The most severe contaminant in Manatee County's recycling stream is the thin plastic grocery bag. These bags wrap around the gears of the recycling sorting machinery, causing facility shutdowns. Take plastic bags to local retail drop-offs instead.
Keep Tanglers Out of the Cart
Items like garden hoses, wire hangers, extension cords, and holiday lights are known as 'tanglers.' They should never go in your blue recycling bin. Throw them in your gray trash bin or utilize a scrap metal drop-off if applicable.
Separate Your Carts at the Curb
The automated mechanical arms used by Manatee County haulers need adequate clearance to safely grab your bins. Always keep a minimum of three feet between your gray trash bin, blue recycling bin, and yard waste piles.
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.
About South Bradenton Waste Management
Manatee County's Transition to Automated Gray Bins
South Bradenton residents operate under Manatee County's standardized 'Big Bin' automated collection system. Every household is provided with a durable, county-issued gray bin specifically designed for robotic arm pickup. All weekly household garbage must fit entirely inside this gray bin with the lid fully closed. Excess bags left on top of the bin or placed loosely on the street will not be serviced by the automated trucks, keeping neighborhood streets cleaner and deterring local wildlife.
Updated Rules for Bulk Waste in South Bradenton
Manatee County recently revamped its bulk waste collection rules to improve route efficiency. Instead of placing bulk items out on any standard garbage day, South Bradenton homes now follow a zoned monthly schedule. You can set out up to two bulk items per month on your designated zone day. Additionally, every residential address is entitled to one free annual oversized collection (up to 10 cubic yards or dimensions of 40' L x 8' W x 6' H), which is perfect for spring cleaning or major move-out projects. This large annual pickup must be scheduled in advance through the 311 portal.
Lena Road Landfill Residential Drop-Off Rates
When you have more refuse than your gray bin can hold and cannot wait for your zoned bulk day, the Lena Road Landfill offers highly affordable drop-off rates for Manatee County residents. Located just east of I-75 in Bradenton, the facility charges a flat rate of just $5.00 for passenger cars and SUVs. For residential pickup trucks carrying under 1,000 pounds (with no trailers attached), the flat rate is only $23.00. Be sure to separate yard waste and tires from your regular garbage to avoid double fees at the scale house.
Proper Preparation for Coastal Yard Waste
Maintaining lawns and palm trees in South Bradenton requires strict adherence to county yard waste guidelines. All vegetative debris must be properly contained in standard 32-gallon yard waste cans or bundled securely. Branches cannot exceed 6 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length, and any branch thicker than 6 inches must be cut in half lengthwise before bundling. Keep all yard waste bundles or cans under 50 pounds to ensure safe manual collection by the waste haulers.
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.