Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for West Palm Beach
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)
All garbage must be placed in plastic bags and securely tied before going into the cart to prevent litter. The cart lid must be fully closed. Place the cart at the curb with the arrows facing the street and allow 5 feet of clearance from bulk piles, mailboxes, and light poles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam products
- ✓Animal waste (securely bagged)
- ✓Alkaline batteries (AA, C, D)
Yellow Bin (Paper) and Blue Bin (Containers) Bin (Recycling)
Never place recyclables in plastic bags. Do not put items from the Yellow Bin list into the Blue Bin. Place bins at the curb on your designated recycling day, completely separate from your garbage cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Yellow Bin: Cardboard (flattened to 3'x3'), mail, magazines, newspaper, dry food boxes
- ✓Blue Bin: Plastic bottles and containers, glass bottles and jars (lids off), aluminum/steel cans, drink cartons (lids on)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Styrofoam and foam products
- ✕Pizza boxes with grease/food stains
- ✕Paper towels, plates, or napkins
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Lithium batteries and light bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Limit of 10 cubic yards per week (approx. 18' L x 4' W x 4' H). Tree branches cannot exceed 4 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter. Stumps max 12 inches in diameter. Grass and leaves must be bagged (max 50 lbs per bag).
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings (must be bagged)
- ✓Tree branches and limbs
- ✓Tree stumps
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a week on your scheduled bulk collection day.
Placement
Place objects curbside so they do not interfere with your garbage, recycling, or yard waste piles. If disposing of glass doors or large appliances with glass, tape the glass diagonally from corner to corner.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, mattresses)
- ✓ White goods and large appliances (doors must be removed)
- ✓ E-scrap (Computers, laptops, TVs, microwaves)
- ✓ BBQ grills
- ✓ Carpet and padding (rolled, max 4 feet long, limit 5 rolls)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Building and demolition materials (doors, cabinets, toilets)
- ✕ Contractor-generated debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Dead animals (requires special customer service call)
If you have more than 3 bulk items or construction debris, you must email [email protected] or call 561-822-2075 to schedule a special pickup, which will incur an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of West Palm Beach has 'No Service' for residential garbage and recycling on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Your collection will resume on your next regularly scheduled service day (it does not shift by one day). For all other holidays, residential routes run on schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Bulk and yard waste collections experience a 'One Day Delay' for the remainder of the week if your scheduled pickup falls on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day.
Always refer to the official West Palm Beach Holiday Trash Pick Up Schedule online, as the rules differ slightly between residential garbage, commercial dumpsters, and bulk/yard waste.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Bins
The SWA strongly prohibits plastic grocery bags and garbage bags in both the Yellow and Blue recycling bins. Plastic bags jam the automated sorting machinery at the processing facility. Return clean grocery bags to local stores like Publix, and place all recycling loosely in the bins.
Size Matters for Cardboard
Oversized cardboard boxes will not be collected by the recycling trucks. You must flatten all cardboard boxes and cut them down to a maximum size of 3 feet by 3 feet before placing them in or next to your Yellow Bin.
Clean Pizza Boxes Only
While clean cardboard is highly recyclable, a pizza box saturated with oil, grease, or leftover cheese ruins the paper pulping process. Rip off the clean top lid and place it in your Yellow Bin, but throw the greasy bottom half directly into your garbage cart.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberTake advantage of the City's Vegetation Amnesty Days before the season starts to clear massive debris piles for free. Once a hurricane warning is issued, immediately secure your carts and bins indoors and do not place any new bulk or yard waste at the curb.
Winter Holidays
December - JanuaryReal Christmas trees are considered vegetation and will be picked up at curbside on your regular yard waste day. You must completely strip the tree of all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the stand before placing it out.
Spring Cleaning
March - MayWhen clearing out your home, remember the city's strict 3-item limit for weekly bulk pickups. If you remodel the interior of your home, materials like doors, cabinets, toilets, and fencing are considered construction debris and require a scheduled special paid pickup.
About West Palm Beach Waste Management
A Dual-Hauler System for Maximum Efficiency
West Palm Beach operates a unique dual-hauler solid waste system. The City of West Palm Beach Solid Waste Division directly handles the collection of household garbage, bulk items, and yard vegetation using city crews. However, the curbside recycling program is managed by the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County (SWA) and collected by their contracted hauler, Waste Pro. Residents must use the SWA's specific dual-bin system for recyclables, while relying on city-issued carts for everyday trash.
The SWA Dual-Bin Recycling Program
To maintain their position as one of the top recycling counties in Florida, West Palm Beach uses the SWA's strict dual-bin sorting system. The Yellow Bin is exclusively for paper products, including flattened cardboard, newspapers, magazines, and dry food boxes. The Blue Bin is reserved for containers, such as plastic bottles, glass jars, aluminum cans, and milk cartons. By separating paper from heavy glass and liquids, the city ensures that the paper fiber remains uncontaminated and highly marketable.
Pre-Hurricane Season Vegetation Amnesty
Normally, West Palm Beach strictly limits yard waste piles to 10 cubic yards per week. However, to help residents properly prepare their properties and reduce flying debris risks, the city hosts special Vegetation Amnesty Days just prior to hurricane season. During these amnesty periods, the city waives the overage fees and collects an unlimited amount of yard waste at no additional cost. This proactive measure keeps the community safe during Florida's turbulent summer weather.
Storm Drain Protection and Yard Bagging Rules
Unlike some Florida municipalities that ban plastic bags for yard waste, West Palm Beach actually requires residents to place grass cuttings, small trimmings, and loose leaves into securely tied plastic bags (weighing no more than 50 pounds). This specific rule prevents loose, fine yard debris from washing into the streets during heavy subtropical downpours, which clogs the city's storm drains and exacerbates neighborhood flooding.
Drop-off Facilities
SWA Customer Convenience Drop-Off Center
6330 N Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33412
Materials Accepted
Home Chemical & Recycling Center (SWA)
6161 N Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33412
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my grass clippings and leaves in plastic bags?
Yes, in fact, the City of West Palm Beach requires it. Small clippings, grass, and leaves must be bagged in plastic bags weighing no more than 50 pounds. This rule prevents loose, fine debris from washing into the streets and clogging storm drains during heavy rain.
Who do I contact if my recycling bin is broken or missing?
While the city handles your garbage cart, recycling bins are managed by the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) of Palm Beach County. To request new or replacement Yellow and Blue recycling bins, you must visit the SWA website or call them directly at 866-NEW-BINS.
What is the limit for bulk trash in West Palm Beach?
Residents are allowed to place up to 3 large bulk items at the curb per week at no extra charge. This includes furniture, mattresses, and appliances. If you have more than 3 items, or if you are disposing of interior remodeling debris, you must call Customer Service at (561) 822-2075 to schedule a paid special pickup.
How does the Thanksgiving holiday affect my trash pickup?
On Thanksgiving Day, there is 'No Service' for residential garbage and recycling. If your normal pickup is Thursday, it will be skipped entirely and resume on your next regularly scheduled service day. However, for yard waste and bulk collections, the schedule experiences a one-day delay for the remainder of the holiday week.