Garbage & Recycling

Solid Waste Division

1070 Virginia Street
Dunedin, FL 34698
Phone: 727-298-3215
Email: solidwaste@dunedin.gov

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Please be advised, this location is not a drop-off site.
For local disposal information contact Pinellas County Solid Waste (727-464-7500)

Residential trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup is done once a week. To find your pickup day, use the street scheduler below.
For commercial or temporary pickups, please contact the Solid Waste Division at 727-298-3215.

Frequently Asked Questions: Proposed Rate Adjustment 

Why is the City proposing to increase solid waste rates?

The cost of providing solid waste services has risen significantly since rates were last studied in 2020. Labor, disposal, fuel, maintenance, and recycling costs have all increased — the national Garbage & Trash Collection Index is up about 30% since 2020. At current rates, the City is collecting roughly $2.9 million less per year than it needs to fully cover operations and maintain its fleet. Without a rate adjustment, the fund that pays for your trash, recycling, and yard waste services would eventually run out of money.

When would the new rates take effect, and by how much would my bill change?

The first increase would take effect April 1, 2026. A typical residential customer currently pays $23.67/month for their first refuse and recycling cart. Under the proposed plan:

The average monthly increase across the full five-year period works out to about $2.95 per month, per year.

Is Dunedin's rate high compared to neighboring communities?

Not at all — even after the proposed increase, Dunedin's rate of $30.42 remains below the regional average of $30.69 among comparable Florida cities. Communities like Clearwater ($41.05), Tampa ($38.23), St. Petersburg ($34.22), and Safety Harbor ($33.58) all charge more. The proposed rate keeps Dunedin competitive while covering the true cost of service.

What services does my solid waste rate cover?

Your monthly solid waste rate applies either to the commercial / multi-family dumpster service or the weekly residential curbside service. The dumpster rate depends on the customer’s dumpster size and how often it's collected each week. The residential curbside rate covers the weekly collection of a trash cart and a recycling cart, both serviced by two separate one-man automated side-arm trucks. It also includes the weekly manual pickups of yard waste and bulk waste, handled by a 3-person crew operating a rear-load truck plus a one-man claw-grapple truck. 

Has the City done anything to keep costs down before asking for a rate increase?

Yes — finding efficiencies and cost savings has been a priority before any proposed rate increases. The City commissioned an efficiency study that identified meaningful ways to reduce costs. Most notably, in August 2025, the City Commission directed staff to end solid waste service for “unincorporated” customers outside city limits, effective November 2025. Serving those 1,175 outside-city customers required less efficient routes. Ending that service is estimated to generate net lifecycle savings of approximately $2.4 million. The recycling contract was also restructured and separated from administrative contracts for better cost visibility and management.

Why wasn't the 2020 rate study enough to keep the fund healthy?

The 2020 study recommended a modest annual increase, but it didn't anticipate the severity of post-pandemic inflation which resulted in increases across all categories — labor, maintenance, recycling, and disposal. As a result, while revenues came in as projected, expenses outpaced them significantly.

Is the City taking on debt to fund this?

The plan does include financing new vehicles through capital leases (similar to how many local governments fund fleet purchases). Thirteen vehicles are planned between 2026 and 2031, financed over five years at 5% interest. This is standard practice and spreads the cost of major equipment over time rather than requiring residents to absorb large one-time spikes.

Will the rate increases keep the program financially stable long-term?

Yes. The financial plan projects that the proposed rate schedule will cover all operating costs, debt service, and capital needs while maintaining the City's required cash reserve — set at 15% of operating expenditures — throughout the ten-year forecast period through FY 2030 and beyond.

Who conducted this study?

The study was conducted by Raftelis, a national public sector financial consulting firm. The analysis was presented to City leadership on December 2, 2025, and the rate proposal goes before the City Commission for a first reading on February 19, 2026.

Where can I learn more or share my feedback?

Residents are encouraged to attend the City Commission meeting on February 19, 2026, watch the livestream on Facebook, YouTube or Spectrum Channel 639, or contact the City directly with questions  Solidwaste@dunedin.gov

My cart is dirty and smells. Can I get a replacement?

Keeping the cart clean is the responsibility of the homeowner. If you bag and seal all your trash, maintenance is minor. An occasional washing with water and a little ammonia or disinfectant cleaner will help keep your cart odor-free.

What kinds of garbage can I put in the automated garbage cart?

All household garbage items must be placed in the cart. It is also recommended that garbage items be bagged and sealed, then deposited in your cart. This practice will keep your cart cleaner and minimize odors. Do not load your cart with hot ashes or coals, recyclable items, household hazardous waste or medical waste, paint, or bulk items.

What if the container gets full before collection day?

National surveys indicate the 95-gallon container is adequate for the average home of four (4) people. Each container will the hold the equivalent of three (3) normal trash cans. It is important that you place all household garbage inside the container so that the operator can utilize the mechanical arm to lift the container and empty it. If you have an unusual amount of garbage that will not fit in the container, please notify the Solid Waste division of your special needs.

How should I cut my yard debris for no charge collection?

Prepare your brush and yard debris to these specifications to have your material collected at no charge:

• Branches and twigs should be no greater than 4" in diameter
• Trimmed to lengths of 48" or less
• Tied in bundles that weigh less than 50 pounds
• Placed in 32-gallon cans that weigh less than 50 pounds
• Leaves and grass clippings should be placed in bags or cans that weigh less than 50 pounds

If you have large items such a logs and limbs or volumes greater than 2 cubic yards, a special pickup will be required which can be provided by the City Solid Waste Division or a private company.

A tree trimming company worked on my yard. Who is responsible for the yard debris?

By ordinance, all debris generated within the City by a contractor (tree surgeon, landscaper, etc) must be removed and disposed of by the contractor.

Material outside my barrel was not collected and I received a tag notice. What does this mean?

The tag should indicate the reason for non-collection and is typically because brush and yard waste are not cut to size or too large for manual collection or becuase the material outside the barrel is garbage and must be disposed of in your automated garbage can. To have your material collected, you can:

• Cut and tie brush into manageable bundles
• Place brush in 32 gallon (or smaller) cans that weigh less than 50 pounds
• Arrange for a special pickup or temporary dumpster by calling 298-3215 ext 1321

Can I get a temporary dumpster for excess garbage?

Yes! We have several sizes of dumpsters to suit your needs including 2, 4, or 6 yard front load dumpsters and 10, 20, and 30 yard roll-off dumpsters. A hold harmless agreement must be completed for a roll-off dumpster. Visit our temporary dumpster page for more information.