Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sweetwater
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 Bin (Trash)
Trash is collected twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Place your green cart at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Only the official DSWM green cart will be serviced.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small amounts of yard clippings (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week on Wednesdays by Coastal Recycling. Items must be loose inside the cart, never bagged. Place the blue cart out by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clean cardboard
- ✓Paper and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (depending on local current ordinance)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is not collected on a separate curbside route. It must be disposed of at a local TRC or scheduled as part of your 25-cubic-yard bulky waste pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment (2 times per year)
Placement
Do not place items at the curb until your pickup has been officially scheduled via 311 or the county portal. Place piles clear of overhead lines and water meters.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, mattresses)
- ✓ Large appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Yard trash and tree limbs
- ✓ Rolled carpets
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (contractor generated)
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Tires
The first two pickups (up to 25 cubic yards each) are included in your annual solid waste fee. Combining the two pickups into one 50-cubic-yard pile exhausts your yearly allotment. Overages will incur fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Miami-Dade County DSWM generally provides garbage collection on most holidays (including Thanksgiving). However, services are typically suspended on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Christmas Day.
Yard Waste Exception
All Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers follow specific holiday schedules and may be closed on major holidays.
Always verify holiday hours by calling 311, as schedules can shift slightly from year to year depending on the day of the week a holiday falls.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Use Only Official County Carts
Do not place overflow garbage in personal trash cans, cardboard boxes, or bags on the ground. The automated trucks will only pick up and empty the official green DSWM carts.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Keep all recyclables loose in your blue cart. Plastic grocery bags and garbage bags wrap around the sorting equipment at the Coastal Recycling facility, causing hazardous jams and forcing the entire plant to shut down.
Avoid Unscheduled Bulk Piles
Never leave furniture or yard debris at the curb hoping a truck will eventually grab it. DSWM code enforcement actively patrols Sweetwater, and unauthorized piles will result in fines.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberPerform all major yard pruning before June. Once a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch is issued for Miami-Dade County, all bulky waste scheduling is suspended. Secure your green and blue carts indoors or tether them tightly so they do not become projectiles.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
Late December to JanuaryMiami-Dade County offers an annual Christmas Tree Recycling program. You can take clean, decoration-free natural trees to designated TRCs (like Snapper Creek) where they will be chipped into mulch for the community.
Summer Rainy Season
May to OctoberTo support Miami-Dade's mosquito control efforts, always keep your garbage and recycling cart lids completely closed to prevent rainwater accumulation. Drain standing water from any discarded items before putting them in the trash.
About Sweetwater Waste Management
Transition to County-Managed Waste Services
In October 2021, the City of Sweetwater officially transitioned its solid waste operations to the Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM). This shift moved the municipality from independent hauling to a massive, county-wide automated collection network. Residents now benefit from standardized green garbage carts, blue recycling carts, and the expansive disposal resources of the greater Miami-Dade area, ensuring a more streamlined and environmentally compliant service.
Understanding the Automated Cart System
With the shift to automated collections, proper cart placement is essential for Sweetwater households. Your green waste cart is serviced twice weekly, specifically on Tuesdays and Fridays. Because mechanical arms are used to lift the bins, carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with adequate clearance from vehicles, mailboxes, and utility poles. Residents are strictly advised not to use personal or non-county containers, as the automated trucks are not equipped to service them.
The End of Weekly Bulky Waste Sweeps
One of the most significant changes for Sweetwater residents under the DSWM system is the complete discontinuation of weekly bulky waste sweeps. Instead, households must proactively schedule their large item removals. Each residence is allotted two free scheduled pickups annually, allowing up to 25 cubic yards per appointment. Placing unapproved bulk piles at the curb without a prior request is a code violation and will likely result in a notice of violation and strict financial penalties from DSWM Enforcement Officers.
Utilizing Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers
If you miss your scheduled bulk collection or generate excess yard waste between appointments, Sweetwater residents have unlimited access to Miami-Dade County's 13 Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers (TRCs). The closest facility for local residents is the Snapper Creek TRC. This is the perfect, no-cost solution for disposing of post-storm yard debris, large flattened cardboard boxes, or extra household clutter without having to wait for a curbside appointment.
Drop-off Facilities
Snapper Creek Trash and Recycling Center (TRC)
2200 SW 117th Avenue, Miami, FL
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What days are garbage and recycling picked up in Sweetwater?
Household garbage is collected from your green cart twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Recycling is collected from your blue cart every other week on Wednesdays.
Can I still put my large trash out for the weekly bulk sweep?
No. The City of Sweetwater discontinued weekly bulk waste sweeps in 2021 when Miami-Dade County took over the service. You must schedule your bulk pickup in advance by calling 311 or visiting the county website.
What should I do if my garbage cart is full and I have extra trash bags?
Automated trucks will not pick up loose bags left next to the cart. You must either wait for your next collection day, ask a neighbor with space in their cart, or transport the excess household garbage to the nearest Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Center, such as Snapper Creek.
Who actually handles the trash services in Sweetwater now?
Effective October 1, 2021, the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) handles all household garbage and bulky waste collections. A private vendor, Coastal Recycling, is contracted by the county to manage the bi-weekly curbside recycling routes.