Marathon Trash & Recycling Schedule
Official garbage collection rules, bin guidelines, and holiday schedules for residents of Marathon, Florida.
Find Your Exact Pickup Days
Enter your street address on the official collection map to see your specific trash, recycling, and yard waste schedule.
📍 View Official Collection MapService Provider
Marathon Garbage Service
Phone Number
305-743-5164Facility Address
4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050
Collection Schedule
Weekly automated collection of garbage and recycling.
Bin Colors
Provided by the hauler; Green (Garbage), Blue (Recycling).
Guidelines & Rules
🎄 Holiday Delays
No service on Thanksgiving and Christmas; schedule shifts forward.
🛋️ Bulk Waste Pickup
Bulk items are collected weekly; residents must call to schedule appliance pickup.
⚠️ Important Guidelines
Marathon has strict regulations regarding waste containment to protect local wildlife and marine ecosystems.
Comprehensive Guide & Details
Island Sanitation Provided by Marathon Garbage Service
Living in the heart of the Florida Keys means adhering to specific environmental protections, and residential waste management in the City of Marathon is handled by the franchised Marathon Garbage Service. Because the tropical heat can quickly exacerbate odors, household refuse is collected promptly. Residents are issued specific rolling carts that must be wheeled to the roadside by 7:00 a.m. on the assigned collection days. It is legally mandated to bag all trash securely to prevent ocean breezes from blowing loose debris into the nearby canals and sensitive marine ecosystems.
Strict Sorting for Keys Recycling
Protecting the surrounding coral reefs and mangrove forests is a community priority. Marathon provides curbside recycling, but the rules are incredibly stringent to prevent contamination. Your dedicated recycling bin accepts clean aluminum cans, steel tins, paper, flattened cardboard, and specific plastics. Glass is also accepted, but it must be unbroken. Never wrap your recyclable goods in plastic shopping bags, and entirely avoid tossing styrofoam or hazardous marine chemicals into this cart. Contaminated bins are immediately flagged by the collection drivers and will not be emptied until the improper items are physically removed by the homeowner.
Trimming the Tropics: Yard Waste Regulations
Maintaining a tropical landscape in the Middle Keys generates a unique type of yard waste, including massive palm fronds and coconut husks. The City of Marathon provides regular yard debris pickups to keep properties pristine. All loose vegetation, such as grass clippings and leaves, must be bagged or placed in standard garbage cans separate from your household trash. Large palm fronds and tree branches must be cut to manageable lengths—typically under four feet—and stacked neatly at the edge of the property. Do not allow your yard waste piles to obstruct the public bike paths or storm drains.
White Goods and Oversized Item Directives
Disposing of a rusted refrigerator, an old boat mattress, or a broken patio set requires special handling on the island. Marathon Garbage Service accommodates bulky waste removal, but it is not a daily free-for-all. Residents must contact the sanitation office to coordinate the pickup of massive items or white goods. When discarding large appliances, state law requires that all heavy doors be removed or strapped completely shut to prevent small children or wildlife from climbing inside and becoming trapped.
Wildlife Protection and Cart Security
The Florida Keys are home to unique and protected wildlife, including the endangered Key deer and opportunistic raccoons. Because of this, proper cart management is strictly enforced. Lids on all garbage receptacles must be kept completely closed at all times. If your cart is overflowing to the point where the lid cannot shut, the driver may bypass it entirely. After the Marathon Garbage Service has emptied your bins, city ordinances require that you pull the carts back onto your property and out of the public right-of-way by the end of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is trash collected in Marathon?
A: Weekly automated collection of garbage and recycling.
Q: How does the holiday schedule affect garbage pickup?
A: No service on Thanksgiving and Christmas; schedule shifts forward.
Q: Which bins should I use for trash and recycling?
A: Provided by the hauler; Green (Garbage), Blue (Recycling).
Q: How can I schedule a bulk waste pickup?
A: Bulk items are collected weekly; residents must call to schedule appliance pickup.
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