Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for South Miami Heights
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 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
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The single most common contaminant in Miami-Dade's recycling stream is the plastic grocery bag. Never place your recyclables inside a plastic trash liner. Keep them completely loose in your blue cart to prevent machinery jams at the sorting facility.
Keep the Lid Shut
The county utilizes automated mechanical arms to lift the carts. If your blue recycling cart is overflowing with cardboard protruding from the top, the truck cannot safely lift it, and the driver will bypass your home.
Separate Your C&D
If you are scheduling a bulk pickup that includes minor construction and demolition (C&D) materials like tile or drywall, position these items directly next to each other in the pile, completely unmixed with yard waste or furniture.
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.
About South Miami Heights Waste Management
County-Managed Waste in South Miami Heights
Because South Miami Heights is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP), residents do not have a localized municipal sanitation fleet. Instead, all single-family homes are serviced directly by the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management. The county utilizes an automated curbside system, providing each household with a large green cart for twice-weekly garbage and a blue cart for bi-weekly recycling collection.
Maximizing Your Annual Bulky Waste Allowance
South Miami Heights residents receive two pre-paid bulky waste collections per calendar year, courtesy of the county's non-ad valorem property tax assessment. Each pickup allows for a massive 25 cubic yards of debris, ranging from old furniture to large palm fronds. Uniquely, homeowners can opt to combine these two annual allocations into a single, massive 50-cubic-yard pickup, making it perfect for major home cleanouts or extensive seasonal landscaping projects.
Strict Regulations for Mattresses and Fencing
If you are using your bulky waste allowance to discard old bedroom furniture, be aware of Miami-Dade's strict mattress rule. All mattresses must be completely encased in a plastic mattress bag or sleeve and sealed shut with weather-resistant tape (like duct tape) before being placed at the curb. Failure to do so can result in a $100 fine. Similarly, if you are disposing of wooden or chain-link fences, they must be rolled and cannot exceed 5 feet in height.
Local Access to the South Miami Heights TRC
When you have extra waste that simply cannot wait for your scheduled collection, the community boasts its very own drop-off site. The South Miami Heights Trash and Recycling Center on SW 117th Court is available exclusively to county waste customers. Residents can drop off tree cuttings, household trash, and up to three cubic yards of DIY construction debris daily, drastically reducing illegal dumping in local neighborhoods.
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.