In 2023, Alachua County entered into an Exclusive Franchise Agreement with GFL Solid Waste Southeast, LLC for residential and commercial waste collection services. The residential portion of this agreement becomes active on Oct. 1, 2026. As the first entirely new collection agreement for the unincorporated portion of Alachua County since 2009, there are a few changes to the services provided which residents should be aware of.

Find Your Collection Day

As a part of the new agreement, GFL and the county have rebalanced the collection day routes in an effort to provide better service. See if your collection day has changed by searching your address on the interactive map located below:

General rules

Household garbage, recycling, yard waste, bulky items, and white goods will all be collected on the same designated collection day for a residence.

• Bulky items and white goods may require additional time and are not considered missed until noon the following day.

• Each material type (garbage, recycling, yard waste, etc.) should be placed 4 feet apart from any other material type or hazard which may interfere with collection. Hazards would include items such as fire hydrants, utility boxes, water meters, mailboxes, etc.

• Make sure that there are no obstructions which would prevent the automated collection arm from collecting the garbage cart or yard waste. Examples of obstructions which could prevent your material from being collected would include, but are not limited to, low hanging branches, power lines and vehicles.

Household Garbage

Only garbage which is placed curbside in a garbage cart provided by the county through GFL, or in the official yellow bags authorized by the county, will be collected.

Loose garbage should be secured in a bag prior to being placed in the garbage cart to help prevent litter.

Garbage cart lids should be able to close completely when placed curbside. Overflowing carts may not be collected.

Each garbage cart has a rated weight capacity embossed on the cart. Carts filled beyond this capacity will not be collected.

Do not place more than 30 pounds of garbage in an official yellow bag.

Do not place hazardous materials, lithium batteries, pressurized containers, propane tanks, or tires in the garbage cart.

Recycling

Recyclable materials should be placed into the orange and blue recycling bins provided by the county. Please do not put the recyclable materials into plastic bags before placing them in the bins.

After Oct. 1, 2026, additional recycling bins may be requested by calling GFL at 1-844-351-0622 or by emailing AlachuaCountyCustomerService@gflenv.com.

Bulky Items

***A maximum of 2 cubic yards of bulky items will be collected each week.

• Bulky items are items which are too large to fit into a standard garbage cart and are typical household items (ex. Furniture, suitcases, mattresses)

• Interior construction and demolition materials from DIY projects, are collected as bulky items and are included in the 2 cubic yard weekly limit.

• For interior construction and demolition material from DIY projects, any small items such as broken tile need to be containerized with the container weighing less than 40 pounds. Please be mindful of the workers’ safety and avoid placing items out for collection which have protruding nails, screws, or other hazards which could injure them.

White Goods

***Up to three white goods, such as refrigerators and washing machines, be collected per week per household.

• White goods with doors should have the door taped shut or removed.

• White goods are large appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, dish washers, etc.

Cart Sizes and Rates

Alachua County utilizes a Pay-as-you-Throw system where residents who generate less waste pay less for their service. There are four sizes available.

***Indicates a significant change from the previous curbside collection agreement.