Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tallahassee
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
The most common recycling mistake in Tallahassee is placing perfectly good recyclables in plastic grocery bags. Plastic bags are considered 'tanglers' and will quickly jam the sorting screens at the Marpan Recycling Center. Always toss your items loosely into the recycling container.
Styrofoam is a No-Go
Even if your Styrofoam takeout container, meat tray, or packing peanuts have a recycling triangle stamped on them, they are not accepted in Tallahassee's single-stream curbside program. Throw all polystyrene foam directly into your regular garbage cart.
Empty, Clean, and Dry
A half-full soda bottle or a glass jar heavily coated in peanut butter can easily contaminate an entire load of clean paper and cardboard. Take a few seconds to lightly rinse your containers and ensure they are dry before tossing them in the bin.
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.
About Tallahassee Waste Management
Tallahassee's Unique Red and Blue Week Schedule
Tallahassee operates on a distinctive Red and Blue week collection system for large debris. While standard household garbage and single-stream recycling are collected weekly, yard waste and bulky items are picked up on alternating weeks. Residents must verify their color assignment through the City of Tallahassee Utilities portal to ensure they don't leave large household items sitting at the curb for extended periods, violating city ordinances.
The Convenience of Single-Stream Recycling
The city utilizes a single-stream recycling program, meaning you do not need to sort your paper, plastics, and metals. Everything approved for recycling goes directly into your designated recycling container. All collected materials are sent to the Marpan Recycling Center for sorting. However, remember to keep recyclables loose—bagging them in plastic grocery bags causes severe mechanical issues and halts the sorting line.
Managing Yard Waste in the Capital City
Due to Florida's humid climate and frequent storms, yard maintenance is constant. Tallahassee requires that loose yard waste, such as leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings, be placed in heavy-duty paper bags or reusable containers weighing no more than 40 pounds each. Tree limbs and branches must be cut to four feet or shorter, be less than six inches in diameter, and bundled securely (up to 50 pounds) to ensure safe collection by city crews.
Electronics and Special Event Pickups
While bulky furniture and household appliances are collected automatically on your assigned Red or Blue week, electronics require a special touch. The City of Tallahassee offers a dedicated residential electronics pickup service by request every Thursday. Alternatively, residents can hold onto hazardous items for the bi-annual 'Cash for Trash' events held in April and October, where active utility customers can earn a credit on their bill for proper disposal.
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.