Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Venice
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.
Black Bin (Trash)
All trash must be securely bagged before being placed in the black cart to prevent wind-blown litter. Carts must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. and placed at least 3 feet away from any obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Kitchen waste
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Small non-recyclable plastics
Blue (with yellow lid) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the cart. All materials must fit entirely inside the blue cart with the lid closed. Break down large cardboard boxes so they do not jam the automated truck arm.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard boxes (broken down)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Cereal and cracker boxes
- ✓Newspapers and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Place in paper yard bags, personal garbage cans (not the city-issued carts), or tied bundles (maximum 4 feet long and 40 lbs). Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Small tree branches
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only
Placement
Bulk items must be curbside by 7:00 a.m. Keep them 3 feet away from mailboxes, sprinkler heads, and do not place them under low-hanging tree branches or power lines.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ White goods and large appliances
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (doors must be removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Wet paint and chemicals
- ✕ Used motor oil
- ✕ Tires and automotive parts
Fees may apply for bulk garbage collection. Any applicable charges are simply added directly to the resident's monthly water/sewer utility bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Venice does not collect on these five holidays. Your materials will NOT be collected the next day; they will be collected on your NEXT regularly scheduled collection day for that specific material.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same skip-and-wait rule, meaning you must wait until your next regular yard waste collection day.
If a holiday is not listed (e.g., Memorial Day or Veterans Day), city collections will take place on their normal, usual schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
While you must bag your household garbage, all recycling should go into the blue cart loose. Plastic bags ruin the automated sorting machines at the Sarasota County recycling facility and will cause your recycling to be landfilled.
Keep Yard Debris Out of the Carts
Never throw leaves, grass clippings, or branches into your black trash cart or blue recycling cart. Yard waste must be placed in a separate personal bin, paper bag, or tied bundle for its dedicated weekly pickup.
Break Down All Cardboard
To ensure your recycling cart's lid closes completely and the mechanical arm can successfully empty it, all large cardboard shipping boxes must be cut down or flattened before being placed inside.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberDuring active tropical storm warnings in the Gulf of Mexico, halt all major tree trimming and do not set bulk items at the curb. Loose debris can quickly become airborne, posing a severe threat to coastal properties and blocking emergency routes.
Annual Bulk Yard Waste Period
October to September (Fiscal Year)The City of Venice allows residents two massive bulk yard waste collections per year, up to 20 cubic yards each. Take advantage of this during heavy pruning months to clear large piles without standard container limits.
Winter Holidays
Late December to JanuaryWith the influx of holiday shipping boxes, ensure all cardboard is completely broken down to fit entirely inside your blue cart. Overflowing recycling left on the ground will not be collected by the automated trucks.
About Venice Waste Management
Twice-Weekly Garbage Collection in Venice
Unlike many neighboring Florida municipalities that have transitioned to once-a-week trash pickup, the City of Venice Solid Waste Division provides residents with the convenience of twice-weekly automated garbage collection. Households must place all standard household waste into tightly tied bags before tossing them into the city-issued black garbage carts. This bagging rule is strictly enforced to keep the carts sanitary and prevent loose debris from littering the streets on windy coastal days.
The Single-Stream Blue Recycling Cart
Venice utilizes a streamlined, single-stream recycling program powered by large blue carts featuring a distinct yellow lid and the 'City on the Gulf' logo. Residents no longer need to separate their clean cardboard, plastics, and aluminum cans. However, a crucial rule to remember is that you must never bag your recyclables. All items should be placed loosely into the blue cart. Plastic grocery bags act as tanglers at the sorting facility and will contaminate the entire load.
Navigating the Venice Holiday Collection Shift
Venice has a very specific policy for holiday collection interruptions. If your regular trash or recycling day falls on one of the five major city-recognized holidays (such as Christmas or Thanksgiving), your waste will not be picked up the very next day. Instead, crews will skip that collection entirely and retrieve your materials on your next regularly scheduled collection day. For example, if your standard days are Monday and Thursday, a Monday holiday means you must wait until Thursday for pickup.
Massive Bulk Yard Waste Allowances
Beyond the standard weekly yard waste collection, the City of Venice provides an incredibly generous twice-yearly bulk yard waste service for extensive landscaping projects. Between October 1st and September 30th, each household is entitled to two separate bulk collections of up to 20 cubic yards of yard debris per pickup. For standard weekly pickups, yard waste must be in paper bags, personal bins, or securely tied bundles under 40 pounds and 4 feet in length.
Drop-off Facilities
Sarasota County Chemical Collection Center (South)
250 S. Jackson Road, Venice, FL 34292
Materials Accepted
Citizens' Convenience Center at Central County Landfill
4000 Knights Trail Road, Nokomis, FL 34275
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Venice provide once or twice-a-week garbage pickup?
City of Venice residents receive twice-weekly automated garbage collection. Ensure your black garbage cart is bagged and placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on both of your designated service days.
How do I throw away an old couch or refrigerator in Venice?
For items too large to fit in your black trash cart, you must call the Venice Public Works Department at (941) 486-2422 to schedule a bulk pickup appointment. If you are discarding a refrigerator or freezer, the doors must be completely removed first for safety.
Can I put yard clippings in plastic garbage bags?
No. The City of Venice requires all weekly yard waste to be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags, personal garbage cans (not the city-issued carts), or tied securely in bundles. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
What happens to my trash pickup if a holiday like Christmas falls on my regular day?
On recognized holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day, Venice suspends collection routes. Your waste will not be picked up the following day; instead, you must hold your materials until your next regularly scheduled collection day.