Clearwater Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026: Weekly Collection, Recycling, Bulk Items, Yard Waste and Holidays
This guide is for Clearwater, Florida. City-served single-family residences receive once-a-week solid waste collection. Trash, recycling, yard waste and bulk items are handled on your regular service collection date, but appliances and electronic equipment should be called in before pickup.
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The fastest answer is this: check your address in the official Clearwater collection finder, place your black trash barrel and blue recycling cart at the curb no earlier than 7 p.m. the night before and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day, then remove containers by 7 a.m. the next day.
Quick Answer: Clearwater Trash Pickup Schedule 2026
Clearwater residential trash pickup is once per week for single-family city customers. Your exact day is address-based, so the official answer comes from the City of Clearwater collection schedule finder. Recycling, yard waste and normal bulk items are also picked up on your service collection date.
Once per week
Use the black barrel trash can. Bag household garbage, close the lid and keep items from hanging down the sides.
Once per week
Use the blue recycling cart for Clearwater’s accepted “Simplify to 5” materials. Keep recyclables clean, dry and loose.
Regular service day
Tree branches, leaves, brush and natural yard waste go out on your regular collection day under the City’s curbside rules.
No normal call needed
Furniture and other large items go curbside on your regular collection day. Call ahead for appliances or electronic equipment.
For pickup schedule questions, missed pickup, bins, bulk questions, recycling or yard waste help, call the Clearwater Solid Waste Operations Line at 727-562-4920.
How to Find Your Clearwater Trash Pickup Day by Address
Searches like “Clearwater trash pickup near me,” “Clearwater garbage pickup today,” and “Clearwater trash pickup by address” all have the same practical answer: use the official address lookup, then save a reminder for the evening before collection.
- Open the City collection finder. Enter your exact street address, not only your ZIP code.
- Confirm city service. This page is for City of Clearwater solid waste customers. Some apartments, condos, commercial properties and edge addresses may use different service.
- Save the weekly service day. Write it on a paper calendar or phone calendar as “Clearwater carts out tonight.”
- Add the set-out time. The safe window is after 7 p.m. the night before and before 7 a.m. on collection day.
- Check holiday weeks separately. Clearwater does not use a simple one-day-delay rule for every holiday. Some Thursday and Friday routes move earlier.
Clearwater Pickup Tools: Set-Out Reminder, Holiday Helper and Item Checker
Use these tools after you confirm your official pickup day. They are built for real resident problems: “Do I put it out tonight?”, “Does Christmas change my route?”, and “Does this item go in trash, recycling, bulk or HHW?”
Clearwater Garbage Cart Rules: Timing, Direction, Spacing and Overload Mistakes
Clearwater uses automated service for city-issued barrels, so cart placement matters. A correct pickup day can still become a missed pickup when the cart is blocked, overloaded, too close to obstacles or set out late.
Correct Clearwater cart setup
- Place garbage other than yard waste inside the black trash barrel.
- Close the lid and keep nothing hanging down the sides.
- Put the container out no earlier than 7 p.m. the night before collection.
- Have the container curbside by 7 a.m. on collection day.
- Remove the container from the curb by 7 a.m. the day after collection.
- Place the container within 2 feet of the curb.
- Keep the handle facing away from the curb.
- Keep the cart clear of recycling bins, mailboxes, parked cars, trees and wires.
Common missed pickup causes
- Cart not at the curb by 7 a.m.
- Cart blocked by a parked car or other obstacle.
- Cart within 2 feet of mailboxes, utility boxes, shrubs or other obstructions.
- Overloaded cart or items placed on top of the lid.
- Yard waste placed inside the garbage barrel.
- Construction debris or liquid paint placed in household trash.
- Electronics with rechargeable batteries placed in trash or recycling.
Clearwater states that trucks are on scheduled routes and cannot return when containers or items are not put out according to the guidelines. Do not wait until you hear the truck.
Clearwater Bulk Trash Pickup: Furniture, Appliances and Large Items
Clearwater bulk pickup is easier than many cities because normal large items do not require a separate appointment. Set appliances, furniture and other large items at the curb on your regular service collection date. The important exception is that appliances and electronic equipment should be called in ahead of time.
Furniture and large household items
Sofas, furniture and other large bulky household items can usually be placed curbside on your regular collection day.
Appliances and electronic equipment
The City specifically tells residents to call ahead when appliances or electronic equipment need pickup.
Trash, recycling, yard and bulk
Clearwater says trash, recycling, yard waste and bulk items are picked up on your service collection date.
| Large item | Best Clearwater path | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Sofa, chair, table, dresser, mattress | Bulk pickup on regular service day | Place curbside on your collection day, not more than 24 hours before service. |
| Washer, dryer or appliance | Call ahead before pickup | Call 727-562-4920 before placing it out. |
| Large electronic equipment | Call ahead or use e-waste guidance | Call the City first, especially if the item does not fit in the black barrel. |
| Construction debris, roofing, bricks, lumber, tile | Not regular trash or bulk | Use an approved construction debris or private disposal route. |
| Liquid paint, chemicals, auto batteries, tires | HHW / special disposal | Do not place in regular trash, recycling, yard waste or bulk pile. |
Clearwater Yard Waste Pickup: Branches, Leaves, Brush and Free Mulch
Clearwater provides once-a-week yard waste and bulk item collection on your regular collection day. Yard waste includes tree branches, leaves, brush and other natural waste. Do not place yard waste at the curb more than 24 hours before your service day.
Use your service day
- Set yard waste out on your regular service collection date.
- Have debris at the curb by 7 a.m.
- Do not set yard waste out more than 24 hours before your service day.
- Keep yard waste separate from black barrel household trash.
- Keep piles clear of cars, mailboxes, utility boxes and other obstructions.
Pickup at Solid Waste Complex
Clearwater residents can pick up weed-free mulch for free at the Solid Waste/Recycling Complex at 1701 N. Hercules Ave. Bring your own shovel or pitchfork and your own container.
Clearwater Recycling Schedule and “Simplify to 5” Rules
Clearwater provides a blue recycling cart for residential recycling. Recycling is collected once a week, and all accepted materials can be placed together in the blue cart. The most important rule is simple: accepted recyclables should be clean, dry and loose, not bagged.
Simplify to 5
- Plastic bottles and jugs #1-7.
- Glass bottles and jars.
- Aluminum cans, steel cans and empty aerosol cans.
- Mixed paper, newspapers, office paper, magazines, junk mail and similar paper.
- Flattened cardboard and cartons.
Not accepted in recycling
- Plastic bags, films and wraps.
- Styrofoam.
- Food scraps.
- Shredded paper.
- Tires, scrap metal and electronics.
- Hazardous waste and garbage.
- Trash used as overflow in the blue cart.
If an item is not clean, dry and loose in the blue recycling bin, Clearwater’s guidance is to keep it out of recycling. Use the Pinellas “Where Does It Go?” tool for uncertain items.
Electronics, Rechargeable Batteries, HHW and Cooking Grease
Electronics and chemicals are where many residents make dangerous mistakes. Clearwater’s guidance separates electronics without rechargeable batteries, electronics with rechargeable batteries, hazardous waste and cooking grease.
| Item | Best route | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Household electronics without rechargeable batteries | Black barrel trash can | Place the item in the black barrel, not on the ground. If it is too big for the barrel, call 727-562-4920 for special pickup guidance. |
| Electronics with removable rechargeable battery | Remove battery first | Remove the battery, then place the rest of the device in trash if allowed. Use a proper battery disposal route. |
| Electronics with non-removable rechargeable battery | Drop-off / Where Does It Go? | Do not place in garbage or recycling. Use Pinellas County item guidance. |
| Paint, chemicals, pool chemicals, flammable materials | Pinellas HHW | Use Pinellas County household hazardous waste options, not Clearwater curbside trash or recycling. |
| Cooking grease, frying oil, bacon fat | Clearwater Recycling Drop-off Center | Bring grease to 1701 N. Hercules Ave. and pour it into the on-site green barrel. Do not pour grease down drains. |
Rechargeable batteries
Do not place items with rechargeable batteries in garbage or recycling bins because compressed batteries can cause truck or facility fires.
St. Petersburg option
Pinellas County lists the HHW Center at 2855 109th Ave. N., St. Petersburg for household chemicals on operating days.
Clearwater option
Pinellas County lists HHW North at 29582 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater on select Saturdays. Check the calendar before driving.
Clearwater Holiday Trash and Recycling Schedule 2026
Clearwater’s 2026 holiday schedule is not a universal one-day delay. Several holidays are listed as business as usual, while New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day 2027 have special Thursday/Friday changes.
| Holiday | 2026 Clearwater collection impact | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day — Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 | Closed. Thursday collections are made Wednesday, Dec. 31. Friday collections remain the same. | Thursday customers should place carts for the earlier Wednesday pickup. |
| MLK Day — Monday, Jan. 19 | Business as usual. | Use your normal schedule unless the City posts a service alert. |
| Presidents Day — Monday, Feb. 16 | Business as usual. | Normal set-out rules apply. |
| Memorial Day — Monday, May 25 | Business as usual. | Put carts out normally by 7 a.m. |
| Juneteenth — Friday, June 19 | Business as usual. | Normal Friday service is expected. |
| Independence Day observed — Friday, July 3 | Business as usual. | Normal Friday service is expected. |
| Labor Day — Monday, Sept. 7 | Business as usual. | Normal Monday service is expected. |
| Veterans Day — Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Business as usual. | Normal Wednesday service is expected. |
| Thanksgiving — Thursday, Nov. 26 | Closed. Thursday collections are made Wednesday, Nov. 25. Friday collections remain the same. | Thursday customers should use the earlier Wednesday pickup. |
| Christmas — Friday, Dec. 25 | Closed. Thursday collections are made Wednesday, Dec. 23. Friday collections are made Thursday, Dec. 24. | Thursday and Friday customers should set reminders for earlier collection. |
| New Year’s Day — Friday, Jan. 1, 2027 | Closed. Thursday collections are made Wednesday, Dec. 30. Friday collections are made Thursday, Dec. 31. | Check the year-end schedule because dates fall in the last week of 2026. |
Missed Trash, Recycling or Yard Waste Pickup in Clearwater
Clearwater asks residents to report a missed pickup and leave the material at the curb. If you do not report the missed pickup, it may not be collected until the next scheduled service day in your neighborhood.
Check these first
- Was it your correct collection day?
- Was the cart at the curb by 7 a.m.?
- Was the cart blocked by a parked car?
- Was the cart within 2 feet of obstacles?
- Was the cart overloaded or was something on the lid?
- Was it a holiday week with earlier Thursday or Friday service?
- Did you call ahead for appliances or electronic equipment?
What to do next
- Leave the missed trash, recycling or yard waste at the curb.
- Report the missed collection through Clearwater Connect or call 727-562-4920.
- Provide the service address.
- Tell the City whether the miss was garbage, recycling or yard waste.
- Clearwater says pickup should happen within two business days after a proper report.
New, Missing or Damaged Trash and Recycling Bins
Every residential home in Clearwater should have a black barrel trash can and a blue recycling cart. If your home is missing one, needs a replacement or has a cart problem, use the City request page or call Solid Waste at 727-562-4920.
Household garbage
Use the black barrel for bagged household trash that is not yard waste, recycling, hazardous waste or construction debris.
Recycling only
Use the blue cart for accepted recycling. Do not use it as overflow for trash or yard waste.
Online or phone
Request a cart online or call 727-562-4920. The Solid Waste/Recycling location is 1701 N. Hercules Ave.
Apartments, Condos, Multifamily and Commercial Properties
Clearwater’s once-a-week single-family schedule does not automatically apply to every property type. Collection schedules can vary for commercial and multifamily customers, and some buildings use dumpsters, commercial containers, private haulers or property-managed service.
Most likely curbside
Use the address schedule finder, black barrel, blue cart, curb rules and weekly service-day guidance.
Ask property manager
Shared dumpsters and building rules may apply. Electronics and bulk items should not be left beside dumpsters without approval.
Different containers
Clearwater offers commercial trash, roll-off service, dumpster guidance and commercial recycling programs through Solid Waste.
Clearwater Solid Waste Map and Contact Details
Use the address lookup for your actual collection day. The map below is for the Clearwater Solid Waste & Recycling location at 1701 N. Hercules Ave., not a replacement for the pickup-day finder.
Clearwater, FL vs Clearwater, MN: Make Sure You Are on the Right Page
The phrase “Clearwater trash pickup schedule” can also show results for Clearwater, Minnesota. This page is for Clearwater, Florida, served by City of Clearwater Solid Waste & Recycling. Clearwater, MN uses different local rules, providers and bulk item procedures.
Clearwater, Florida
Use 727-562-4920, MyClearwater.com official links and the City of Clearwater FL address lookup.
Clearwater, Minnesota
Do not use Florida holiday rules, cart placement rules or Solid Waste phone numbers for Clearwater, MN.
Official Clearwater Links Residents Actually Need
Use the right page for the task. Schedule lookup, cart rules, bulky items, missed pickup, bins, recycling, e-waste and HHW are different workflows.
Related Trash-Pickup.org Guides
These related guides help Clearwater residents compare Florida pickup rules, holiday changes, bulk pickup and missed collection workflows.
Common Clearwater Search Problems Solved
Residents use different searches, but most problems are about one of these tasks: finding the address schedule, checking today’s pickup, handling bulk items, dealing with electronics, reporting a miss or sorting recycling correctly.
Use address lookup, not a ZIP code guess
Clearwater pickup days are address-based. Use the official finder for your exact property.
Check set-out deadline
If today is your pickup day, carts and debris should already be out by 7 a.m. Trucks cannot return for late set-out.
Regular service day
Normal bulky items go out on the regular collection day. Call ahead for appliances or electronic equipment.
Do not place too early
Yard waste and bulk debris should not be placed at the curb more than 24 hours before service day.
Not regular trash
Liquid paint, auto batteries, chemicals and electronics with rechargeable batteries need another disposal route.
Call 727-562-4920
This is the key Clearwater Solid Waste Operations number for schedule, bins, bulk, recycling and missed pickup help.
Clearwater Trash Pickup FAQ
What day is trash pickup in Clearwater, FL?
Your Clearwater pickup day depends on your address. Use the official City of Clearwater collection finder or call 727-562-4920 to confirm your schedule.
How often does Clearwater collect residential trash?
Clearwater provides once-a-week solid waste collection for single-family residential customers.
What time should I put my trash cart out in Clearwater?
Place the container at the curb no earlier than 7 p.m. the night before collection and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day. Remove it by 7 a.m. the day after collection.
Does Clearwater pick up recycling every week?
Yes. Clearwater provides once-a-week recycling collection using the blue recycling cart for accepted materials.
What can I recycle in Clearwater?
Clearwater’s “Simplify to 5” categories are plastic bottles and jugs #1-7, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, mixed paper, and flattened cardboard/cartons.
Can plastic bags go in Clearwater recycling?
No. Plastic bags, plastic films and wraps are not accepted in Clearwater’s recycling cart. Recyclables should be clean, dry and loose.
Does Clearwater pick up bulk items?
Yes. Furniture and other large items are picked up on your regular collection day. You do not normally need to call for bulk pickup, but you should call ahead for appliances or electronic equipment.
Can I put electronics in Clearwater trash?
Electronics without rechargeable batteries can go in the black barrel trash can. Electronics with rechargeable batteries should not go in garbage or recycling; use the correct drop-off or item-search route.
When is Clearwater yard waste pickup?
Yard waste is collected on your regular collection day. Do not place yard waste or bulk debris at the curb more than 24 hours before service day.
What holidays change Clearwater trash pickup in 2026?
New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day 2027 have special collection changes. Many other 2026 holidays are listed as business as usual.
How do I report missed trash pickup in Clearwater?
Leave the material at the curb and report the missed pickup through Clearwater Connect or call 727-562-4920. The City says pickup should occur within two business days after a proper report.
Where can Clearwater residents drop off cooking grease?
Bring cooking grease, frying oil, meat drippings and bacon fats to the Clearwater Recycling Drop-off Center at 1701 N. Hercules Ave. and use the green barrel on site.
Is this guide for Clearwater, Florida or Clearwater, Minnesota?
This guide is for Clearwater, Florida. Clearwater, Minnesota has different trash service rules and should not use this page for schedule decisions.
Is Trash-Pickup.org the City of Clearwater?
No. Trash-Pickup.org is an independent resident help guide. For live schedule changes, account-specific service, official decisions, fees and service alerts, use the official City links on this page.
Final Clearwater Resident Summary
Clearwater, Florida residential trash pickup is once per week for city-served single-family homes. Use the official address lookup to confirm your day. Put the black trash barrel and blue recycling cart out after 7 p.m. the night before collection and before 7 a.m. on collection day, then remove containers by 7 a.m. the next day.
Bulk items, yard waste, trash and recycling are picked up on your regular service collection date. Do not place yard waste or bulk debris out more than 24 hours early. Call 727-562-4920 before setting out appliances or electronic equipment. Keep rechargeable batteries, liquid paint, chemicals, tires and construction debris out of regular trash and recycling.
Franklin TN Trash Tools
Holiday calculator | Buck-A-Bag counter | Recycling checker
Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Call (615) 794-1516 to confirm