Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tallahassee
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on the same day as your scheduled garbage pickup.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected every other week following an alternating Red Week / Blue Week schedule on your designated collection day.
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste and recycling service fees are bundled into your consolidated monthly City of Tallahassee utility bill alongside electric, water, and gas services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, DigiTally App, Auto-Pay (ACH/Credit/Debit), Pay by Text, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Financial assistance is available for income-qualified seniors (age 60+), individuals with disabilities, and low-income families through Project Share and the Good Neighbor Program.
City-issued Garbage Cart Bin (Trash)
Place the cart at the curb by 6:30 AM on your collection day with the handle facing your house. Keep it at least 3 feet away from mailboxes, low-hanging trees, parked vehicles, and your recycling cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Heavily soiled paper and wrappers
City-issued Recycling Container Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the container, never bagged. Clean out obvious food or drink residue and flatten all cardboard boxes to save space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Clean paper, newspaper, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam (polystyrene)
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Loose waste must be in reusable containers or paper lawn bags (max 40 lbs). Limbs cannot exceed 4 feet in length, 6 inches in diameter, and must be tied in bundles weighing 50 lbs or less. Plastic bags are prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Tree limbs and branches
- ✓Shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every other week on your designated Red or Blue week.
Placement
Place bulk items within three feet of the curb by 6:30 AM. Ensure they are completely separated from your rollout carts, yard waste piles, and away from overhead hazards like tree limbs or power lines.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household toys
- ✓ White goods and appliances (doors removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Automobile tires and parts
- ✕ Electronics (requires special Thursday request)
Standard residential bulk pickup is included in your municipal utility fee. However, construction and remodeling debris requires a special commercial request and will incur additional pull and disposal costs.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular collection day falls on or after a City of Tallahassee observed holiday, your solid waste service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulky item collections scheduled for your specific Red or Blue week follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage.
Waste Management Customer Service Guides with exact holiday calendar dates are mailed to residents annually by January 1st and are available digitally on the Talgov website.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching the Florida Panhandle, secure your garbage and recycling carts indoors immediately. Do not place yard waste piles or bulky items at the curb if high winds are forecast, as they can become dangerous projectiles.
Bi-Annual Cash for Trash
April and OctoberTallahassee hosts 'Cash for Trash' events on the third Saturday of April and October at 2727 Municipal Way. Residents with an active utility account can drop off household hazardous waste and large tires, and receive a $5 credit on their monthly utility bill.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryAfter the winter holidays, remember that foil wrapping paper, metallic ribbons, and styrofoam packaging peanuts are strictly garbage. Break down and flatten all cardboard gift boxes and shipping boxes before placing them in your single-stream recycling container.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans into Cash Around Tallahassee?
While Florida doesn't have a statewide bottle and can redemption program anymore, you can still turn some recyclables into a little extra cash right here in Leon County. Check out local scrap metal yards. Places like Southeastern Scrap Management often buy metals like aluminum and steel. It's a good way to make a few bucks while keeping those items out of the landfill. Just give 'em a call before you haul to see what they're currently purchasing and their hours.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Tally
Got items that are still good but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, think about donating them! Tallahassee has a few great spots. Goodwill Community Store on Capital Circle SW is always looking for donations. You can also check out Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Capital Circle NE – they often accept furniture, appliances, and building materials that are in usable condition. It's a fantastic way to help out others in our community and reduce waste.
Keeping Our 'Nole City Clean: What to Do About the Tough Stuff
If you've got bulky items or yard waste that doesn't fit in your regular bin, remember to place them out for collection on your scheduled day. For anything that's considered hazardous, like old paint, batteries, or chemicals, the City of Tallahassee and Leon County have special collection events. Keep an eye on the official city or county websites for announcements about Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection days – it's the safest way to get rid of those tricky items. And if you ever spot illegal dumping, the city wants to know! You can usually report it by calling the Public Works Department or through their online portal so they can address it quickly.
Drop-off Facilities
Leon County Hazardous Waste Center
7550 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32311
Materials Accepted
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off (Blair Stone Road)
1800 N. Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it's my Red or Blue week for yard waste and bulk pickup?
The City of Tallahassee assigns every residential address to either a Red or Blue schedule. You can look up your exact schedule using the interactive map on the Talgov Solid Waste website, or by referring to the printed waste guide mailed out every January.
How do I dispose of old electronics or a broken television in Tallahassee?
Electronics are not picked up during the standard bi-weekly bulk collection. You must either call the City at 850-891-4968 to request a special residential electronics pickup (conducted on Thursdays), or take the items directly to the Leon County Hazardous Waste Center on Apalachee Parkway.
Can I put my yard clippings in plastic bags?
No, plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste collection. Leaves, grass clippings, and pine needles must be placed in heavy-duty paper yard bags or reusable homeowner containers, and each unit must weigh 40 pounds or less.
What happens to my trash pickup on Thanksgiving Day?
Because Thanksgiving is a city-observed holiday, all collections scheduled on or after the holiday will be pushed back by one day for the remainder of the week. Therefore, Thursday collections will occur on Friday, and Friday collections will occur on Saturday.