Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for The Hammocks
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 (96-gallon standard) Bin (Trash)
All household garbage and yard clippings must be bagged before being placed in the green cart. Place the cart at the curb by 7:00 AM on your pickup day, with wheels facing your home. Keep it at least 5 feet away from mailboxes and cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged yard clippings and leaves
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue Cart (65-gallon standard) Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables completely loose in the blue cart. Never bag your recycling. The lid must close completely. Place at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled alternating week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, magazines, and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Small yard waste must be bagged and put inside the green waste cart. Large piles of branches or palm fronds must be scheduled as a bulky waste appointment or driven to a nearby TRC.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free pickups per calendar year
Placement
Place items curbside within 3 days of your scheduled appointment. Keep piles at least 5 feet from mailboxes, parked cars, or storm drains.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Large tree limbs and yard brush
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Car parts
- ✕ Rocks and dirt
If your bulky pile exceeds the 25-cubic-yard limit, you will be billed $32 for each additional cubic yard. A signed Excess Yardage Approval form is required for massive piles.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Miami-Dade DSWM works rain or shine on almost all holidays, including Thanksgiving. Service is only suspended on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. On these three holidays, your service will resume on your NEXT regularly scheduled pickup day.
Yard Waste Exception
Bulky waste appointments and TRC drop-off centers are also closed on these three specific observed holidays.
Unlike many municipalities that shift pickup days forward by one day, Miami-Dade skips the holiday entirely. You must wait until your next assigned day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Loose vs. Bagged Rules
Miami-Dade County has opposite rules for your two carts. All regular garbage and yard trimmings must be securely bagged before going into your green cart to prevent windblown litter. Conversely, all items in your blue recycling cart must remain entirely loose.
The Lid Must Close
Automated collection trucks rely on mechanical arms to empty the carts. If your green or blue cart is overflowing and the lid cannot completely close, the driver will bypass your home. Do not leave items protruding from the top.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Cart
Flimsy plastic grocery bags and trash bags are the number one contaminant at the county's recycling facility. They wrap around the sorting gears, causing mechanical failures. Return plastic grocery bags to local supermarkets instead.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring named tropical storm or hurricane watches, Miami-Dade County suspends all bulky waste appointments. Do not place yard trimmings or large furniture at the curb if a storm is approaching, as they become severe projectile hazards.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
Late December - JanuaryFollowing Christmas, DSWM operates a free Christmas Tree Recycling program. You can drop off your clean, decoration-free tree at the Sunset Kendall TRC or the West Miami-Dade Home Chemical Center to be chipped into free mulch.
Spring Cleaning
March - MaySpring is the busiest time for bulky waste appointments. Since appointments can be booked up to 30 days in advance, try to reserve your slot early via the 311 app so you aren't stuck holding onto garage cleanout debris for weeks.
About The Hammocks Waste Management
County-Managed Services in The Hammocks
Because The Hammocks is an unincorporated community in Miami-Dade County, waste and recycling collection is entirely managed by the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM). The county utilizes a fully automated truck fleet, providing residents with two days of garbage collection per week and one day of single-stream recycling collection every other week. The cost for these services is bundled directly into your annual non-ad valorem property tax bill.
The Bulky Waste Appointment System
Miami-Dade DSWM provides single-family households in The Hammocks with two free bulky waste pickups per calendar year. Each pickup can accommodate up to 25 cubic yards of material. However, this is not a walk-up service. Residents must book their pickup online or by dialing 311 before placing items at the curb. To prevent illegal dumping and neighborhood blight, you may not stage your pile more than three days before your scheduled appointment; violating this rule can trigger code enforcement fines.
Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers (TRCs)
When you exhaust your free bulky pickups or need immediate disposal, Hammocks residents have access to Miami-Dade's network of 13 Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers. The closest facility is the Sunset Kendall TRC. These centers accept large furniture, clean yard waste, and excess cardboard free of charge. You must bring a valid driver's license or utility bill showing your home address to prove you are an active Miami-Dade solid waste customer.
Managing Heavy Yard Debris
Routine lawn maintenance, such as grass clippings and small leaves, should simply be bagged and placed inside your standard green garbage cart. For larger landscaping overhauls, you can use one of your annual bulky appointments. If your pile exceeds the 25-cubic-yard limit, the county requires you to sign an Excess Yardage Approval form, which incurs a fee of $32 for every additional cubic yard over the limit.
Drop-off Facilities
Sunset Kendall Trash and Recycling Center (TRC)
8000 SW 107th Ave, Miami, FL 33173
Materials Accepted
West Miami-Dade Home Chemical Collection Center
8801 NW 58th St, Doral, FL 33178
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides residential trash pickup in The Hammocks?
Because The Hammocks is an unincorporated area, residential solid waste and recycling services are managed directly by the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM).
How do I request an additional blue recycling cart?
Miami-Dade County allows residents to order one additional 65-gallon blue recycling cart entirely free of charge. You can request this by calling 311 or submitting an online request through the county portal.
Does Miami-Dade County pick up trash on Thanksgiving?
Yes. The county provides waste collection rain or shine on almost all holidays, including Thanksgiving. The only three days they do not collect trash are Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day.
How do I throw away an old mattress?
You can dispose of an old mattress by utilizing one of your two free annual bulky waste appointments. Simply call 311 to schedule the pickup. Be sure not to place the mattress at the curb more than three days before your confirmed date.