Miami-Dade Proposes Increase in Annual Waste Collection Fee

Miami-Dade residents could pay slightly more for garbage and recycling services during the upcoming fiscal year. The County is proposing an increase in the annual solid waste collection fee from $702 to $724 per household, a $22 adjustment intended to maintain current service levels.

The County Administration is recommending a 2% increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The proposal is expected to be considered by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners in September and is anticipated to be included in the proposed FY 2026-27 budget.

For most customers, the fee would continue to appear on their property tax bill as a non-ad valorem assessment. Miami-Dade’s Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) oversees waste and recycling services while also operating programs addressing illegal dumping, household chemical collection and enforcement.

Residents served by the department currently receive twice-weekly garbage collection, curbside recycling every other week and two bulky waste pickups per year. Customers also have seven-day-a-week access to the County’s 13 neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers.

The department employs nearly 1,200 workers, including drivers, collectors, engineers, code enforcement officers, environmental compliance personnel and other technical and professional staff.

County officials say several measures have already been implemented to control rising operating costs before recommending the fee increase.

Those efforts include financing options for critical vehicle replacements, a new access management system at Trash and Recycling Centers designed to reduce unauthorized use, and route automation that eliminated unnecessary garbage routes.

The County has also implemented a Bulky Waste by Appointment System, providing residents with scheduled service and automated notifications related to bulky waste pickups and waste or recycling cart orders.

At the same time, DSWM continues working to identify additional savings and revenue opportunities while accelerating implementation of its Zero Waste Strategy.

If approved, the $22 annual increase would amount to approximately $1.83 more per month per household, although residents would continue to see the charge as an annual assessment.

County officials say the proposed adjustment is necessary to preserve the level of service residents currently receive, including resources to address illegal dumping and community cleanup initiatives such as “Let’s Clean Things Up.”

The final decision now rests with the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. Commissioners are expected to consider adoption of the final solid waste fee in September as part of the budget process, determining whether the proposed $724 annual household fee will take effect for fiscal year 2026-27.