Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sweetwater
Trash Day
Tuesdays and Fridays
Recycling
Every other Wednesday
Yard Waste
Included with regular trash (small bagged clippings) or via 2 scheduled annual bulky waste pickups (up to 25 cubic yards each)
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Sweetwater residential waste services are provided through Miami-Dade County DSWM and billed annually as a non-ad valorem assessment on your property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included in Property Taxes)
Accepted Methods
Property Tax Bill, Online, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Special assistance waste collection service is available at no extra charge for eligible residents with disabilities.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans and Bottles into Cash in Sweetwater?
While Sweetwater doesn't have its own dedicated bottle buyback center, don't let that stop you from getting a little back for your empties! Florida has a statewide program where you can redeem certain beverage containers for a few cents each. Many local grocery stores participate in this program, so keep an eye out for redemption machines. For larger scrap metal items, check out yards in nearby Miami-Dade County. Companies like Sims Metal Management often have locations that will pay for metals like aluminum, steel, and copper. It's a great way to clean out the garage and pocket some extra cash!
Giving Old Treasures a New Home in Sweetwater
Got items that are still good but you no longer need? Instead of tossing them, think about donating them to local charities. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are fantastic options, and there's a convenient location in nearby Doral that accepts furniture, appliances, and building materials – all helping fund affordable housing. You can also find thrift stores in the wider Miami-Dade area that welcome clothing, housewares, and decor. It’s a win-win: declutter your home and support a good cause!
Keeping Sweetwater Beautiful: What to Do About Bulky Messes
If you ever notice trash piling up where it shouldn't, like dumped furniture or construction debris, the City of Sweetwater wants to know! They encourage residents to report illegal dumping. You can often do this by calling the city's public works department or through their official website. Participating in or even just knowing about community clean-up events is also a wonderful way to pitch in. These events help keep our shared spaces looking great and show pride in our neighborhood. Sweetwater sometimes partners with local organizations for these efforts, so keep an eye on community bulletins!
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.