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1. Are there holidays when there will be no curbside service?

Unincorporated Palm Beach County residents receive regular collection service on all holidays, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If your service falls on one of these two holidays, your items will be collected on the next scheduled service day. There is no make-up collection day.

2. How often is garbage picked up curbside in unincorporated Palm Beach County? What are the guidelines for trash pick up?

Garbage service is provided twice a week to residents in unincorporated Palm Beach County. Collection is from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. All waste much be curbside by 6 a.m. on your scheduled day.

Other items to keep in mind:

• Garbage must be containerized in standard 32-50 gallon cans or sealed plastic bags.


• Containers with contents can weigh no more than 50 pounds.


• Any container exceeding the 50 gallon capacity or weight limit when filled will not be serviced.


• All garbage must be placed in front of your own home and within 6 feet of the edge of the roadway.


• Garbage must not be stacked over water or gas meters, under low hanging branches or utility wires or within 4 feet of mail boxes or fire hydrants.

3. How much yard waste can I set at the curb?

Yard waste is picked up once a week for residents in unincorporated Palm Beach County. Please keep in mind:

• Yard waste includes debris from routine residential yard maintenance only. It does not include debris generated from land clearing or tree removal. All vegetation must be kept separate from other debris and dirt and be sand-free.
• Yard waste is collected manually by a different truck than the garbage and is limited to 6 cubic yards per week (the equivalent of three standard refrigerators). See what six cubic yards looks like»
• All yard waste, with the exception of tree branches and palm fronds, must be containerized in standard 32-50gallon cans or sealed plastic bags.
• Containers with contents cannot weigh more than 50 pounds.
• Branches must be 6 feet or less in length and 50 pounds less in weight.

Do not mix yard waste with garbage or any other debris. Your waste hauler is not required to collect any debris that does not meet the above guidelines. If your debris is considered non-conforming and is not collected, you may do one of the following:

• Pay your hauler $9 per cubic yard to pick it up as it is.
• Correct the debris to meet required collection guidelines. Once corrected, it will be picked up on your next scheduled service day.
• Transport the material directly to an SWA transfer station or permitted facility. If you elect to transport material to a disposal site yourself, please be aware you will be charged a disposal fee and cash is required.

4. Who picks up my trash?

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County does not pick up waste or recycling at the curb. We do, however, contract waste hauling services for unincorporated Palm Beach County.

As of Oct. 1, 2013, unincorporated Palm Beach County is now divided into 5 service areas (PDF), each of which is awarded to an individual hauler that has the exclusive right to provide service in accordance with the Service Guidelines in their contract.

For questions or concerns about service provided in your area, call the Solid Waste Authority Customer Information Services Department at 561-697-2700, or 866-SWA-INFO toll-free from southern and western Palm Beach County.

If you live in a municipality, please contact your municipality or service provider regarding collection concerns or for general information. Listing of service providers for Palm Beach County municipalities»

5. Are bulk items picked up at the curb in unincorporated Palm Beach County?

Bulk item pick up is provided twice a week. Discarded furniture and appliances as well as other household items including toilets, bathtubs, water softeners and other similar household goods will not fit into standard garbage cans are collected twice per week and may be placed curbside with the regular household garbage.

For saftey reasons:

• Please remove or seal doors on all appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, washer and dryers before placing outside for collection so that children cannot crawl inside and become trapped.


• All mirrors, glass doors, glass table tops, pane glass windows, etc. must be broken up and containerized in solid containers (no plastic bags) such as garbage cans or corrugated cardboard boxes. Container and contents must weight less than 50 pounds.

6. How do I pay to drop off items at the landfill or at a transfer station?

Customers disposing of material at the landfill or at an SWA transfer station have the option of paying for their tipping fees with cash, a pre-approved business check or Solid Waste Authority charge account.

To apply for a Solid Waste Authority charge account or check cashing ability visit the Rates & Payment Methods page»

7. How do I dispose of old tires?

There are many ways residents living in unincorporated Palm Beach County can get rid of their unwanted old tires:

• Put old tires out with the trash on either garbage collection day - up to two tires, off the rim, are collected curbside per year for FREE.


• Take old tires to the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County’s Customer Convenience Drop-off Center at the landfill. There will be a charge at this location.
  
  
  • Whole passenger tires or whole truck tires without rims will be charged the “passenger tire” rate of $35/ton or $3.50/cubic yard. This is about $2.27 per tire.
  
  
  • Oversized tires or mixed load tires will be charged a higher rate ($190/ton or $27/cubic yard).
  
  
  • Passenger tires, including tractor trailer tires, cut into four or more substantially equal pieces or oversized/off-road tires shredded to less than 4” x 4” x 2” pieces will be charged $10/ton or $5/cubic yard.
  
  

(NOTE: There are specific laws that commercial businesses have to follow.)

8. Both residents and lawn service personnel pile fallen and trimmed coconuts at the curb. Will they be picked up?

All fruits (coconuts, mangoes, citrus, etc.) need to bagged or canned in groups that weigh less than 50 lbs. They can be placed alongside regular garbage for pick up. Branches with fruit still attached can be placed out with the vegetation.

All other lawn trimmings (pine cones, pine needles, leaves, small hedge clipping, etc.) also need to be bagged or canned in groups that weigh less than 50 lbs. and placed out with yard waste pick up.

9. I've just completed a minor home construction project. Can I place that debris at the curb?

Construction debris from minor home repairs (replacing a rotted piece of trim or a broken tile) is collected twice per week in unincorporated Palm Beach County. Construction debris is limited to 2 cubic yards (about the size of a standard refrigerator) per collection day and must be containerized in standard 32-50 gallon cans or sealed plastic bags. Containers and contents can weigh no more than 50 pounds. Carpeting does not have to be containerized but must be cut to 4 foot lengths and rolled up. Each roll cannot weigh more than 50 pounds.

With the exception of carpeting, any construction debris from minor home repairs that is placed upon the ground and not containerized will not be collected.

Your waste hauler is not required to collect any debris that does not meet the above guidelines. If your debris is considered non-conforming and is not collected, you may do one of the following:

• Correct the debris to meet required collection guidelines. Once corrected, it will be picked up on your next scheduled service day.


• Transport the material directly to an SWA transfer station or landfill. If you elect to transport material to a disposal site yourself, please be aware you will be charged a disposal fee and cash is required.

10. I've found what appears to be an illegal dump. What should I do?

You can do your part to stop illegal dumping by immediately reporting any activity you see. If you live in a municipality, contact your local law enforcement agency. If not, contact the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office at 561-688-3000. Once a report has been filed, contact the SWA at 866-SWA-INFO (866-792-4636) and provide the case number.

Learn more about illegal dumping»