Alachua County Waste & Recycling Collection Guide
Need help? Here is your new guide to Alachua County Waste and Recycling Services.
Have questions about your garbage pickup, recycling bins, or yard waste collection? You’re not alone! With Alachua County’s new residential curbside collection agreement now in effect, some collection days and service guidelines have changed. Knowing where to find the latest information—and who to call when you need help—can make managing your household waste a whole lot easier. Let’s break down what’s new, how to find your collection day, and where to go for answers.
First Things First: Check Your Collection Day
Starting in October 2026, Alachua County’s new residential collection agreement with GFL Environmental brought changes to some curbside collection routes. That means your garbage and recycling pickup day may have changed, even if it’s been the same for years!
Not sure when your next pickup is? Alachua County has made it easy to find out. Visit the Residential Curbside Collection page and use the interactive map to look up your address and see your designated collection day. Household garbage, recycling, yard waste, bulky items, and large appliances are scheduled for collection on the same designated day.
What’s Changed Under the New Collection Agreement?
Along with updated collection routes, the new agreement includes changes to the amounts of certain materials residents can place out for weekly collection. Here’s a quick look at the current limits:
Yard Waste
You can place up to 2 cubic yards of yard waste per week at the curb. Yard waste includes materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and branches. Loose leaves and grass clippings must be contained in reusable containers or biodegradable paper lawn-and-leaf bags.
Bulky Items
Have an old mattress, a worn-out piece of furniture, or another large household item that won’t fit in your garbage cart? A maximum of 2 cubic yards of bulky items per week may be collected. Certain interior renovation and do-it-yourself construction debris also falls under this category and counts toward the weekly limit.
White Goods (Large Appliances)
Need to get rid of an old refrigerator, washing machine, or dishwasher? Up to 3 large appliances per household per week may be collected. Appliances with doors should have those doors taped shut or removed.
These limits help residents understand what can be placed at the curb and help collection crews work safely and efficiently. Be sure to review the complete guidelines on the Residential Curbside Collection page before putting out large amounts of yard waste, bulky items, or appliances.
Who Should You Call? GFL or Alachua County?
Knowing who handles your particular request can save you time and help you get the answers you need.
Contact GFL Environmental for Collection Issues
GFL Environmental handles most day-to-day collection service requests. Contact GFL if you need help with:
- Reporting a missed garbage or recycling collection
- Requesting a replacement for a damaged garbage cart or recycling bin
- Arranging pickup of large appliances
GFL Environmental Customer Service
Phone: 1-844-351-0622
Email: AlachuaCountyCustomerService@gflenv.com
Keep in mind that bulky items and large appliances may require additional time for collection. Under the current guidelines, these items are not considered missed until noon on the day following your scheduled collection day.
Contact Alachua County Solid Waste & Resource Recovery for Service Changes and Questions
Alachua County continues to assist residents with service changes, new service arrangements, and general waste and recycling information.
Contact the county if you need help with:
- Changing your garbage cart size, including switching to a smaller cart
- Setting up new residential collection service for a newly built home
- Asking general questions about solid waste and recycling
- Scheduling an educational presentation for your school, organization, or community group
Alachua County Solid Waste & Resource Recovery
Phone: 352-374-5213
Email: info@alachuacountyrecycles.com
A Few More Tips for a Smoother Collection Day
- Put materials in the right place. Use your designated garbage cart and the county-provided orange and blue recycling bins. Keep recyclable materials loose rather than placing them in plastic bags.
- Keep carts and materials accessible. Leave about four feet between different material types and away from potential obstructions, such as mailboxes, utility boxes, and water meters.
- Keep garbage cart lids closed. Overfilled carts may not be collected, and carts should not exceed their rated weight capacity.
- Check before throwing something away. Hazardous materials, lithium batteries, propane tanks, pressurized containers, and tires do not belong in your regular garbage cart. Visit Alachua County Recycles Residential Page to learn about proper disposal options.
Your Go-To Resource for Recycling and Waste Questions
Explore this site for practical recycling guides, waste reduction ideas, disposal resources, and answers to common household questions. You can also find information about hazardous waste, residential recycling, and ways to reduce the amount of material sent to the landfill. And remember: for the latest collection-day information, use the county’s Residential Curbside Collection page. With the right information and a few simple habits, we can all do our part to keep Alachua County clean, safe, and sustainable.
Let’s Recycling Right, Alachua County!
