How to properly donate and dispose of your items in Miami

In a big city like Miami, the waste management services are extensive. This comes in handy when you need to get rid of some household furniture or items that are no longer of use to you. That said, it’s good to know the ins and outs of what options may best fit your needs — from recycling, trash disposal, and donating. That way, items are either disposed of properly or given new life that reduces risk to you and your community. Keep reading for more on your options in Miami.

City recycling

Dade County only accepts certain materials to be collected in the recycling carts, which includes:

• Paper products
• Steel and aluminum cans
• Milk and juice type cartons
• Plastic and glass bottles
• Cardboard

Beyond recycling, local Miamians have a few additional options for larger or hazardous items:

Bulky trash disposal

The mini dump facility may be a good option for larger items that are particularly not in good shape to reuse by another person or are broken, such as:

• Mattresses
• Bed frames
• Dressers
• Dining tables
• Sofas
• Chairs
• Computers
• Printers
• Scanners
• Monitors
• Televisions
• Laptops
• Toaster ovens
• Blenders
• Refrigerators
• Stoves
• Microwaves
• Dishwashers

The facility is open 6 days a week for Miami residents to take large items for disposal. You must have proof of residency and trips to the mini dump are limited to one per day.

You can also request a bulky trash disposal pickup at your home. You must make the request before putting out the large items next to your regular trash pickup for collection. You can request this up to 2 times a year of up to 25 cubic yards each time.

Home chemical collection centers

There are 2 home chemical collection centers in Dade county. This is an option for items that may be hazardous or prohibited from recycling or regular trash disposal, such as:

• Oil-based paints
• Pesticides, solvents
• Pool chemicals
• Computer monitors
• Televisions
• Personal computers
• Keyboards
• Hard drives
• Printers
• VCRs
• Audio and video equipment
• Cell phones
• Unbroken fluorescent light bulbs
• Latex paints that are still in liquid form
• Small propane tanks
• Curling irons
• Hair dryers
• Slow cooker
• Steamer
• Electric fans
• Cameras
• Vacuum cleaners
• Kitchen appliances (blenders, coffee makers, toasters, etc.)

Any eligible Items must be in labeled containers must be closed securely or packed in a secure box.

Neighborhood trash and recycling center

Drop off at a neighborhood trash and recycling center may be the right fit if you have large, non hazardous materials to dispose of that won’t fit into your trash bin, such as:

• Electronics
• Large appliances, including washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, freezers
• Mattresses

Make sure your local center accepts the items you’re hoping to get rid of. Not all locations accept all items.

Donating to thrift store, neighbors, or charity

The upside to this option is that if your items are reusable, others may be able to take it off your hands at a lower cost or no cost. Check with local thrift shops about their acceptance and donation policies before heading over to the locations to donate. Some locations may also give you a receipt of donation that allows you to claim a deduction on your taxes.

Another option here might be supporting your neighbors who could use your unwanted items by listing it on your local Buy Nothing or Freecycle group. The advantage here is that many people will pick the items up from you without requiring you to do work beyond listing it as available online!

Once you’ve made plans for getting rid of any unwanted items, what are your next steps? If you need help moving the rest of your belongings, make sure to bring in the experts like those at Piece of Cake Moving and Storage. We’re adept at carefully and safely moving your curated collection of items from one place to another. Whether it’s just a small move of one large item, or a household’s worth, we’re ready to take your call 24/7/365. You’ve put in the work making decisions about the thoughtful disposal of items you no longer want. Let us take care of what you want to bring with you to your new destination.