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Garbage, Bulk Trash, Recycling FAQs

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1. Why is my garbage and recycling bill increasing? Why is the increase so high?

For 12 years, North Miami Beach’s monthly fees for garbage and recycling services remained unchanged for residents and businesses. However, labor costs, fuel, and other expenses for solid waste services have risen dramatically in that time. For the past several months, the City temporarily offset the increase with funds from its reserve budget, but it now must move forward with a rate increase beginning May 1, 2021.

2. How do I find out exactly how much my bill will increase?

Contact NMB Customer Service at 305-948-2960 (24 hours, 7 days) or in-person in the City Hall lobby, Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.: 17011 NE 19th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33162.

3. Will this fee increase again in the future?

The City is exploring all options for solid waste service, including contracting with a different company and bringing trash and recycling service in-house. The final decision will determine the need for additional rate adjustments going forward.

4. Will money from this increase be used to pay for other projects in the City?

In addition to trash and recycling collection, solid waste fees pay for repairs, replacements, and beautification projects along the City’s medians, swales, easements, and roadways.

5. Will my trash and recycling pickup days stay the same?

Under the current service extension with Waste Management, trash, recycling, and bulk collection days will remain the same.

6. Who can I call if I have questions about service?

Contact NMB Customer Service at 305-948-2960 (24 hours, 7 days) or in-person in the City Hall lobby, Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.: 17011 NE 19th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33162.

7. Is there an interactive map I can use to find my Bulk Trash Pick Up day?

Need some help figuring out when your Bulk Trash Pick Up day is? Make it easy on yourself and be sure to check out our new interactive map! Zoom in to see what zone you are in, or type in your address, either way, you'll know your day! (Here's a hint when typing in your address: be sure to follow up your home address with North Miami Beach!)

8. What's the difference between trash and garbage?

Garbage consists of all normal household waste. Trash includes large household debris items. Please visit the Solid Waste page for additional information.

9. What is acceptable household garbage?

Garbage must be bagged and consists of all normal household waste. Contents must fall freely from the container when dumped. 

10. What is unacceptable garbage?

Yard clippings, dirt or sod, rocks, concrete, toxic materials, highly flammable materials, construction and remodeling debris will not be accepted.

11. What are my garbage pick up days?

To find your garbage pick up days, view the garbage routes and schedules (PDF).

12. When do I place my 96-gallon container out for collection?

You might risk missing your pick-up if you do not place your container our for collection by 6:30 a.m. on pick-up day. If the container is not outside by the specified time and placed properly at the edge of your street with the handle facing your home, the container will not be emptied. Do not place your container out any earlier than 6 p.m. on the day before pick-up. If you have street pick-up, your container should be moved back to your property by 7 p.m. on your pick-up day.

13. Will I have residential / commercial garbage pickup on a holiday?

The question of whether or not your garbage, bulk trash, and/or residential curbside recycling will be picked up on a holiday depends on the holiday. Visit the City's solid waste and recycling web page for updated information. Holiday updates will be posted online.

14. How do I take care of my garbage container?

The City provides each resident with a 96-gallon container. Homeowners are responsible for normal care, cleaning, and lost or stolen containers. To help reduce odor and maintain the containers cleanliness, you should bag all garbage. The homeowner, in the event of a theft, should file a police report. For more information, contact Waste management at 305-450-5699.

15. What happens to my garbage can if I move?

The 96-gallon container is assigned to the property address. Should you change residences, call Solid Waste customer service at  305-948-2960 for further instructions before moving.

16. Where do I place my garbage container for collection?

The preferred location for your 96-gallon container for collection is to have the container handle facing your house and the container positioned at the edge of the paved traffic lane at least five feet from obstruction such as fences, lamp-posts, mailboxes or vehicles. Do not block pedestrian access.

17. What if I have alley garbage collection?

Your 96-gallon alley container must be placed behind your property in the alley with the handle facing your house. The container must be placed in the alley on your pick-up day by 6:30 a.m.

18. If my 96 gallon garbage container is missing, can I get another one?

Yes, first report it missing to the North Miami Beach Police Department at 305-949-5500, and obtain a case number. Then contact Waste Management at 786-450-5699, provide your police case number, and request a new garbage container. A replacement will be provided, free of charge.

19. In a hurricane emergency, is there anything I can do to secure my 96-gallon garbage container?

If it is not possible to store the container inside, we suggest securing it to a fence or large structure.

20. What is acceptable bulk trash?

Acceptable trash includes furniture, boxes, general household debris, yard clippings, leaves, trees and shrubs (cut in lengths no longer than 5 feet).

21. What is unacceptable trash?

Unacceptable trash includes tires, dirt or sod, concrete, toxic materials, highly flammable materials, construction and remodeling debris. Also included are vehicles, motorcycles, boats, trailers, motors and household appliances.

Home Chemicals

For proper disposal of home chemicals, call Miami-Dade County at 311.

Appliances

Appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, microwaves, air conditioners, water heaters, etc., are prohibited in the landfill and will only be picked up by special request by Waste Management. Call 786-450-5699.

22. What is the Bulk Trash pickup schedule?

Check out the interactive Bulk Trash schedule.

23. How do I get rid of old appliances?

Appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, microwaves, air conditioners, water heaters, etc., are prohibited in the landfill and will only be picked up by special request by Waste Management. Call 786-450-5699.

24. Where do I place my bulk trash if I have a street or alleyway collection?

Bulk trash is picked-up once a month on a designated day for each zone. Trash piles cannot be placed out more than 48 hours before your pick-up day. Please call 786-450-5699 if you have any questions with regards to the pick up schedule in your area. Place your bulk trash neatly on your swale in front of your home. Do not place your trash on sidewalk and keep piles at least five feet away from obstacles such as fire hydrants, trees, poles, cars, etc... Find out more about your bulk trash zone is here. For alleyway collection, place your bulk trash neatly behind your own home. Do not place on top of your water meter, or obstruct the alley or your garbage container and avoid placing the trash against the fence. The City is not responsible for damages done to your property if the trash is stacked too close.

25. How should I stack my bulk trash?

Trash should be stacked neatly in the swale in front of your property (if you have alley pick-up, stack it neatly next to the alley on your property so the truck can pass). Please do not stack trash on the sidewalk or on top of water meter boxes, and keep it away from fences. The City is not responsible for damaged fences due to improper stacking. Current ordinances require that yard waste be placed in a pile separate from the trash and away from the garbage container. Yard clippings and leaves must be bagged.

26. Are there any additional fees for bulk trash?

Only one full truck load of bulk trash is permitted to be picked-up at an individual resident at once. A special charge will be assessed for additional loads. Please call 305-948-2904 if you have any questions. If a pile of trash is set out illegally, requiring the City of make a special collection, the property owner will be charged a fine.

27. What happens to the debris generated by a professional landscaper / gardener?

Professional landscapers / gardeners are required to haul any debris generated by their jobs. If they do not, the homeowner/resident is responsible for removing the debris. Questions regarding trees or tree removal should be directed to the Public Works Department at 305-948-2904.

28. What if my bulk trash day falls on a holiday? Will my bulk trash be picked up?

In most cases, bulk trash is not picked up on some holidays. For more information call the Public Works Department at 305-948-2904.

29. What do I do with dead animals?

Dead animals are picked-up only on City property and must be arranged through the Public Works Department by calling 305-948-2904 during the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

30. Does the City Recycle?

Yes, the City offers residential curbside recycling, and commercial recycling. Residential curbside recycling is every Wednesday. Call Waste Management at 786-450-5699 if you have any further questions.

31. When should I place out my Residential Curbside Recycling?

Residences from single family homes up to quad-plex apartments now have curbside recycling pickup every week.

When's Your Day?

Recycling materials should be placed all together into the blue bin and wheeled out to the curb every Wednesday.

Single Stream Recycling

Today recycling is single stream recycling. All recyclable items go into one bin and the sorting is done at the recycling plant. Gone are the days of separating items into different bins. There is no longer a need to spend hours trying to remove labels and sorting items by type.

More Information

Read more about Residential Curbside Recycling (PDF).

32. Where can I learn more about Residential Curbside Recycling?

To learn more about residential curbside recycling, view the recycling page.