Merritt Island Trash & Recycling Schedule
Official garbage collection rules, bin guidelines, and holiday schedules for residents of Merritt Island, 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
Waste Management (Brevard County Solid Waste)
Phone Number
321-633-2042Facility Address
2250 Adamson Rd, Cocoa, FL 32926
Collection Schedule
Garbage is collected twice a week, while recycling and yard waste are collected once a week.
Bin Colors
Green or Black for garbage, Blue or Green with a yellow lid for recycling.
Guidelines & Rules
🎄 Holiday Delays
No collection on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, or New Year's Day; services shift one day later.
🛋️ Bulk Waste Pickup
Bulk waste and large appliances are picked up on the regular yard waste collection day.
⚠️ Important Guidelines
Merritt Island is an unincorporated community; therefore, all sanitation services are managed centrally by Brevard County.
Comprehensive Guide & Details
Space Coast Sanitation Standards
Living on Florida’s Space Coast means adhering to the residential sanitation guidelines established by the Brevard County Solid Waste Management Department. For properties on Merritt Island, standard garbage collection occurs twice a week, facilitated by franchised haulers like Waste Management. Homeowners must ensure their county-issued carts are staged at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on pickup days. It is critical to face the lid’s opening toward the street and leave at least a three-foot radius completely clear of mailboxes, basketball hoops, and parked vehicles so the mechanical arms can operate safely.
Single-Stream Recycling Expectations
Brevard County heavily promotes environmental sustainability through a weekly single-stream recycling initiative. Residents use a designated cart to dispose of mixed paper, flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum drink cans, and rigid plastic jugs. Unlike some neighboring counties, Brevard strictly prohibits glass of any kind in the recycling bin. Additionally, items must remain completely loose. Do not bundle your recyclables in plastic grocery sacks, as these flexible plastics wrap around the gears at the sorting facility and cause major operational delays.
Handling Tropical Yard Vegetation
The lush environment of Merritt Island produces a constant stream of lawn clippings, palm fronds, and tree limbs. Vegetative waste is collected once a week. To guarantee pickup, residents must place grass clippings and pine straw in standard 32-gallon trash receptacles or heavy-duty paper lawn bags. Branches and palm fronds must be cleanly cut to lengths under four feet and tied into manageable bundles. No single bag or bundle should exceed the 50-pound weight limit, ensuring the safety of the manual collection crews.
Scheduling Oversized Junk Removals
Getting rid of bulky items like a defunct refrigerator, an old mattress, or a broken couch requires a bit of planning. Brevard County haulers provide bulk trash removal, but residents must call their local Waste Management dispatch office ahead of time to schedule a specific sweep. For those who want immediate disposal, residents can personally transport their oversized debris to the Central Disposal Facility in Cocoa. A valid driver’s license demonstrating Brevard County residency is required, and certain commercial-sized loads may incur tipping fees.
Navigating Storm Delays and Cart Maintenance
During hurricane season, waste collection schedules on Merritt Island can be suddenly interrupted. Brevard County will officially suspend all curbside operations if sustained winds reach unsafe speeds, broadcasting the suspension through local emergency alerts. On a routine basis, if your garbage cart suffers a broken wheel, cracked lid, or gets stolen, you can request a repair or replacement by contacting your franchised hauler directly. Replacements for normal wear and tear are typically provided free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is trash collected in Merritt Island?
A: Garbage is collected twice a week, while recycling and yard waste are collected once a week.
Q: How does the holiday schedule affect garbage pickup?
A: No collection on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, or New Year's Day; services shift one day later.
Q: Which bins should I use for trash and recycling?
A: Green or Black for garbage, Blue or Green with a yellow lid for recycling.
Q: How can I schedule a bulk waste pickup?
A: Bulk waste and large appliances are picked up on the regular yard waste collection day.
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