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Public Works - Garbage Collection

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1. When is my garbage collected?

To view what your solid waste collection days are, visit our interactive collection days map. Type in your address and your collection days will pop up. This map only displays residential services and does not include multi-family or commercial units. 

For residential bulk yard waste that is about 3 cubic yards (approximately the size of a picnic table) that does not fit inside your provided yard waste container, please contact the City of Cocoa Public Works Department at (321) 433-8770 or e-mail yardwaste@cocoafl.org to schedule a pick-up. A pick-up will occur within 10 business days from the receipt of the request. 

For all other waste pick-ups such as bulk construction material (fencing, etc.), appliances, etc. please contact Waste Management directly at (321) 636-6894.

2. Who do I call if my garbage or recycling collection was missed?

You can reach out directly to Waste Management Customer Service at (321) 636-6894. If you live within the City limits of Cocoa, you can also call the City of Cocoa Public Works at (321) 433-8770 or (321) 433-8788 or fill out our Request Tracker Form for missed pick-ups. Please leave a message so we can quickly assist you. 

If you live in unincorporated Brevard County (Port St. John, Canaveral Groves, Merritt Island, etc.) you need to call Waste Management (321-636-6894) or Brevard County Solid Waste (321-633-2042).

Request Tracker Form

3. Can my landscaping company leave the yard waste at my curb for pick-up?

No, per City of Cocoa ordinance, landscaping companies are required to haul away any yard debris produced from their services.

4. How is yard waste collected?

For residential bulk yard waste that is about 3 cubic yards (approximately the size of a picnic table) that does not fit inside your provided yard waste container, please contact the City of Cocoa Public Works Department at (321) 433-8770 or e-mail yardwaste@cocoafl.org to schedule a pick-up. A pick-up will occur within 10 business days from the receipt of the request. 

If your yard waste is able to fit inside your provided yard waste container, please utilize that first. You may also use your trash container for yard waste if there is no other waste inside that container. Please do not use any other type of can for yard waste as it is automatically collected by the waste truck and is only able to collect that size container. Please do NOT put yard waste in a plastic bag, or yard waste bag. 

To find out your yard waste collection day, visit our interactive collection day map and type in your address.

Do NOT pile yard waste over storm drains or near power lines.

Request Tracker Form

5. Should I bag my yard waste?

No, place small yard waste items in the provided yard waste container, or pile debris away from powerlines and storm drains at the edge of your property and email yardwaste@cocoafl.org or call 321-433-8770 to request a pick up. If the debris won't all fit in your provided yard waste container but the pile is not 3 cubic yards (about the size of a picnic table), you may use your empty Waste Management garbage container as a supplemental container, or store the additional yard waste on your property and reserve it for the next week's yard waste pick up.

6. What if I have more yard waste than what fits in my can?

All yard waste items should be placed in the provided yard waste container. If it does not fit inside the provided container and is approximately 3 cubic yards in size (about the size of a picnic table) or larger, pile debris away from powerlines and storm drains at the edge of your property and email yardwaste@cocoafl.org or call 321-433-8770 to request a pick up. If the debris won't all fit in your provided yard waste container but the pile is not 3 cubic yards, you may use your empty Waste Management garbage container as a supplemental container, or store the additional yard waste on your property and reserve it for the next week's yard waste pick up.

7. What is included in my solid waste service?

Your residential collection includes garbage collection twice per week, recyclable collection once per week, yard waste collection (what fits inside your yard waste container) once per week.

For residential bulk yard waste that is about 3 cubic yards (approximately the size of a picnic table) that does not fit inside your provided yard waste container, please contact the City of Cocoa Public Works Department at (321) 433-8770 or e-mail yardwaste@cocoafl.org to schedule a pick-up. A pick-up will occur within 10 business days from the receipt of the request. 

For all other waste pick-ups such as bulk construction material (fencing, etc.), appliances, etc. please contact Waste Management directly at (321) 636-6894.

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8. When should I place my garbage container at the curb?

Containers can be placed curbside after 7 p.m. the day before your collection, and they must be removed from the curb by 7 p.m. on your collection day.

9. What items cannot be picked up?

To protect the environment and ensure the safety of our residents, the City of Cocoa does not accept household hazardous waste for curbside collection. These items include solvents, paints, auto fluids and household/pool chemicals. As an alternative, Brevard County Solid Waste conducts hazardous household chemical collection during the year. For more information on household chemical collection, contact Brevard County Solid Waste at 321-633-2042. Also, a suggestion on those handy thin plastic shopping bags. They work great as little trash bags, or to carry lunches to work or school, but please do not put them in the recycle container. Most stores have a receptacle for them near the front of the store. When they get into the recycling, they cause problems with the sorting machinery and mostly just make a mess

Brevard County Solid Waste

10. Do you collect on holidays?

If a holiday falls on your regular collection day, you will not receive service that day. Waste Management will resume regular pickup on your next scheduled day. 

Holidays where trash is not collected include:

• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Waste Management Holiday Schedule

11. What goes in my Recycle Container?

Almost anything! City of Cocoa residents enjoy Single-Stream Recycling. This means no more sorting, simply put everything in the same container. All items that go inside your recycling container however must be clean. Meaning no food or liquid. Plastic shopping bags can not go into the recycling container. Most stores have a recycling container near the front specifically for those bags. Waste Management has all the details of "Single Stream" recycling program on the Waste Management Site.

12. Why did my service day change?

As part of the most recent contract negotiation with Waste Management, an additional route was added to help minimize the rate increase. If days remained the same, an additional vehicle would have needed to be purchased causing additional cost to our residents. 

To view what days your trash is collected, visit our interactive trash collection map. 

13. Why am I getting billed on my tax bill and water bill for trash services?

Garbage collection is charged on your monthly water utility bill for the City of Cocoa. Also on your annual tax bill, Brevard County charges a waste fee for the Brevard County Landfill. 

14. Why is my waste collection fee increasing?

The City of Cocoa provides solid waste services through a franchise agreement with Waste Management of Florida, Inc. that began in 2006 and expires September 30, 2021. With the existing agreement expiring,  City staff began researching whether to initiate a request for proposals (RFP) process or enter contract negotiations with Waste Management. During this process, staff analyzed the cost to bring portions of the solid waste services in-house as well as assessing the cost of new waste contracts in neighboring communities. As a result, staff discovered that newly established agreements through an RFP process in other communities were resulting in significantly higher costs to residents than a contract negotiation process with Waste Management. Staff also determined that taking over certain portions of solid waste management would lower the service rate increase for Cocoa residents.

At the City Council Meeting on February 9, 2021, City Council directed staff to continue negotiations with Waste Management for a new solid waste agreement while also formulating an RFP. At the City Council Meeting on February 23, 2021, City Council directed staff to proceed with agreement negotiations with Waste Management only based on the findings staff presented. The new solid waste agreement will be submitted to City Council for a first reading on August 24, 2021 and second reading at the regular City Council meeting on September 14, 2021. If approved by City Council at these meetings, the new rates and new schedules will go in to effect October 1, 2021. 

15. Where should I place my cart at the curb?

Carts should be placed within one foot from the curb and at least three feet apart from each other and three feet away from other objects. Don't place your cart under a tree or powerline and do not place any trash over storm drains. 

16. Can I place fencing at the curb for service?

No. The removal of fencing is not included as part of the standard service residents are provided. Residents must arrange for proper disposal to a facility that accepts this type of material. You can reach out to the Brevard County Landfill for inquiries about fence disposal. 

17. How do I get a cart if mine is broken or missing?

If the cart for your residence is either broken or missing, you can contact Waste Management at (321) 636-6894 for a replacement.

18. Who do I contact to add commercial dumpster or can service?

You can contact Waste Management to add commercial waste pick-up services to your bill. They can be reached at (321) 636-6894.

19. Who do I contact to activate trash service at my residence and get garbage cans?

You can contact Waste Management at (321) 636-6894.

20. When I am not in Florida, not using Waste Management services, why do I have to pay for garbage collection?

The City of Cocoa ordinance requires regular solid waste service regardless of temporary residency.

21. How can I change the size of my can or dumpster?

You can contact Waste Management at (321) 636-6894. Additional charges may apply.

22. Can I change the number of days for a dumpster pick-up?

You would need to reach out to Waste Management at (321) 636-6894.

23. Will I receive a separate bill for garbage service?

No. Garbage service is billed monthly and included on your water utility bill.