Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for South Miami Heights
Trash Day
Twice weekly (typically Monday and Thursday, or Tuesday and Friday depending on your specific street address)
Recycling
Every other week on your designated collection day
Yard Waste
Available through two scheduled curbside bulky waste pickups per year (up to 25 cubic yards each) or year-round drop-off at the South Miami Heights Trash and Recycling Center
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste collection is managed by Miami-Dade County and is billed annually as a non-ad valorem assessment on your property tax bill, often paid directly through mortgage escrow.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included in Property Taxes)
Accepted Methods
Property Tax Escrow, Online, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Special assistance collection service is provided at no extra cost for residents with disabilities who cannot bring carts to the curb. No specific senior or low-income rate discounts are listed.
Green Cart Bin (Trash)
Place your green cart at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. It must be within 3 feet of the street, at least 5 feet from mailboxes or cars, with the wheels facing your home.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Bagged food waste
- ✓Bagged yard clippings
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely inside the blue cart. The lid must be completely closed. Do not stack items on top of or next to the cart, as they will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper, newspapers, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Small amounts of yard waste must be bagged and placed inside your green garbage cart. Large branches and brush piles require scheduling a bulky waste pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small yard trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to two scheduled pickups per calendar year
Placement
Place items within 10 feet of the street and at least 5 feet away from mailboxes, parked cars, and utility poles. Do not set out earlier than 3 days prior to your appointment.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses (must be encased in plastic)
- ✓ Large appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Up to 3 cubic yards of construction/demolition debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Free-flowing liquids and paints
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Automobile batteries and parts
- ✕ Hazardous household chemicals
The cost of your standard bulky waste allowance is included in the non-ad valorem assessment on your annual property tax bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Waste is collected rain or shine on all holidays except Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. If your normal day falls on one of these three, service will resume on your next scheduled pickup day.
Yard Waste Exception
Bulky waste appointments will not be scheduled on the three observed county holidays.
Collections run as normal on minor and major holidays like Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, and New Year's Day. Always leave your carts out on these days.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberComplete major tree pruning before June. If a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued for Miami-Dade County, all bulk pickup scheduling is suspended. Do not place any debris at the curb during a storm warning.
Rainy Season
May to OctoberKeep your green and blue cart lids firmly closed during South Florida's daily afternoon downpours. Waterlogged trash adds severe weight, potentially exceeding the automated truck's lifting capacity.
Post-Holiday Season
Late December to JanuaryReal Christmas trees can be recycled. You can drop off clean, undecorated trees directly at the South Miami Heights Trash and Recycling Center, where they will be chipped into mulch.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans and Bottles into Cash Right Here in South Miami Heights?
While Florida doesn't have a statewide bottle deposit program like some other states, there are still ways to get a little cash back for your aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Your best bet locally might be checking out scrap metal yards in the surrounding Miami-Dade area. Places like Southern Scrap Metal or Miami Scrap Metal often buy aluminum, and sometimes they'll take certain types of plastics. It's always a good idea to call ahead to see what they're currently accepting and their prices. It’s a little extra effort, but can be a nice surprise for your recycling efforts!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life Near South Miami Heights
Instead of tossing items that are still in good shape, think about donating them to folks in our community! For furniture, household goods, and even building materials, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations in the wider Miami area are fantastic. They help fund Habitat for Humanity's mission. You can also find local thrift stores that are always looking for clothing, books, and small home decor items. It’s a great way to declutter and help others at the same time.
Keeping South Miami Heights Clean: What to Do About Bulky Items and Dumping
We all want South Miami Heights to look its best! If you've got larger items or things that don't fit in your regular bin, remember you can schedule a couple of bulky waste pickups each year. For anything that's considered hazardous – think old paint, electronics, or batteries – Miami-Dade County often holds special collection events. Keep an eye on local announcements for those. If you happen to see illegal dumping happening, it's important to report it. You can usually call Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management or even 311 to let them know. They’re working to keep our neighborhoods clean and safe for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
South Miami Heights Trash and Recycling Center
20800 SW 117th Court, Miami, FL 33177
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Miami Heights have its own municipal trash collection?
No. South Miami Heights is an unincorporated community, meaning all residential solid waste and recycling services are provided directly by the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management.
Can I throw away remodeling debris in my bulky waste pile?
Yes, but there is a strict limit. Miami-Dade County allows you to include up to 3 cubic yards of construction and demolition (C&D) materials—such as sinks, drywall, tiles, and cabinets—in your scheduled bulky waste pickup.
What is the rule for disposing of a mattress in South Miami Heights?
To prevent bedbug transmission, the county mandates that all mattresses placed at the curb for bulky waste collection must be completely encased in a plastic mattress bag or sleeve and sealed tightly with packing or duct tape. Failure to seal the mattress can result in a $100 fine.
Will the garbage truck come on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes. Miami-Dade County only suspends waste collection on three holidays: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Independence Day (July 4th), and Christmas Day. On all other holidays, including Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, you must place your carts at the curb as usual.