Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Auburndale
Florida residential routes generally operate Monday through Friday. Your specific household collection depends on your local county zoning map.
State Mandate
Do not mix yard trimmings with regular household garbage.
Dark Blue Bin (Trash)
Household waste must be bagged, tied, and placed in the dark blue container with the lid closed. Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with the arrow facing the road and 3 feet of clearance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged and securely tied household garbage
- ✓Everyday non-hazardous household waste
- ✓Food waste
Varies (Provided by WM/Advanced Disposal) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loosely in the recycling cart. Ensure all recyclables are completely clean and dry before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean paper and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Glass (varies by updated WM guidelines, check locally)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on Wednesdays. Grass, leaves, and small trimmings must be bagged. Limbs < 24 inches in diameter must be cut < 48 inches long. Limbs > 24 inches in diameter must be cut < 24 inches long. Needs 5 feet of clearance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Weeds and leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Small tree clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Available by request only
Placement
Ensure items have at least 5 feet of clearance from other objects. Do not place items under power/phone lines or on top of water meters.
Accepted
- ✓ Large yard debris
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Construction/demolition materials
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Tires
- ✓ Lumber
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Pesticides and fertilizers
- ✕ Propane tanks and fuels
- ✕ Paint and household chemicals
- ✕ Fluorescent bulbs
There is an additional charge for the collection of bulk items. Residents must call (863) 965-5511 for current rates prior to collection.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday occurs on your regular trash pickup day or week, your pickup may be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Wednesday yard debris collection may also be shifted if a holiday impacts the normal operating week.
Contact Auburndale Public Works at (863) 965-5511 or check the WM schedule during major holiday weeks to confirm your exact pickup day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Blue Cart Clean
The dark blue City of Auburndale container is strictly for bagged household garbage. Never place yard waste or construction debris inside this cart, as it will not be collected.
Bag Yard Waste, Not Recycling
While grass clippings and leaves must be bagged for Wednesday yard trash collection, your curbside recyclables must always remain loose. Never put your recyclables in plastic bags.
No Liquids or Food in Recycling
Ensure all plastic bottles and metal cans are completely empty and dry before placing them in your recycling bin. Liquid residue contaminates paper and cardboard in the mixed recycling stream.
Seasonal Information
Summer / Hurricane Season
June - NovemberSecure your dark blue garbage containers and recycling bins indoors during severe storm or hurricane warnings to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
Spring / Severe Weather Cleanup
March - MayAfter heavy spring storms, remember that all tree trimmings must meet Auburndale’s strict size limits (under 48 inches for small limbs, and under 24 inches for limbs thicker than 2 feet) to be collected on Wednesdays.
Winter / Holidays
November - JanuaryIf a major observed holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas falls on your regular pickup day, your waste collection and Wednesday yard debris service may be delayed by one day.
About Auburndale Waste Management
Auburndale Residential Waste and Sanitation Services
The City of Auburndale's Public Works Sanitation Division manages residential solid waste, yard debris, and low-capacity commercial waste for customers living strictly inside the city limits. Each home is provided with a dark blue City of Auburndale container for household garbage. By strictly following the city's collection rules, residents help maintain clean neighborhoods and efficient local operations.
Proper Cart Placement and Preparation
Auburndale requires all household garbage to be bagged, securely tied, and placed inside the dark blue container with the lid completely closed. Carts must be at the curbside by 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. Ensure the arrow on the lid faces the road, and always maintain a minimum of three feet of clearance from mailboxes, trees, utility poles, and other containers to allow the automated trucks to safely lift the bins.
Wednesday Yard Debris Collection
Auburndale provides a dedicated yard trash pickup every Wednesday. Acceptable items include grass clippings, weeds, leaves, brush, and small tree clippings. To ensure collection, smaller items like grass and leaves must be bagged. Tree trimmings have strict size requirements: those under 24 inches in diameter must be cut to lengths no longer than 48 inches, while larger limbs must be cut to 24 inches or less. Place all debris at the curb with at least 5 feet of clearance from obstacles.
Specialized Bulk Collection and Fees
Unlike some cities with routine bulk days, Auburndale’s bulk collection is available strictly by request and comes with an additional charge. Residents must separate their bulk piles into specific categories: large yard debris, furniture, construction or demolition materials, appliances, tires, and lumber. Call the Sanitation Division for current rates and to schedule a pickup. Ensure bulk piles have 5 feet of clearance and are never placed under power lines or over water meters.
Mixed Recycling Partnership
While the city handles standard garbage internally, Auburndale manages a collection contract with Waste Management (formerly Advanced Disposal) for mixed residential recycling. Residents are encouraged to recycle clean plastic bottles, cans, paper, and cardboard to help divert waste from local Polk County landfills. It is vital that no food, liquid, or hazardous waste enters the recycling stream.
Drop-off Facilities
Polk County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
North Central Landfill, 5 Environmental Loop S, Winter Haven, FL 33880
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What items are prohibited from my dark blue Auburndale garbage container?
Your dark blue City of Auburndale container is for bagged household garbage only. You cannot place yard waste, construction waste, or household hazardous waste (like paint, chemicals, propane tanks, or batteries) inside the cart.
How do I dispose of tree limbs and yard trash in Auburndale?
Yard debris is collected on Wednesdays. Grass, leaves, and small trimmings must be bagged. Tree limbs under 24 inches in diameter must be cut to lengths of 48 inches or less. Larger limbs exceeding 24 inches in diameter must be cut to 24 inches or less. Always maintain 5 feet of clearance around the pile.
Can I leave extra trash bags next to my garbage container?
No, all household waste must be bagged, securely tied, and placed completely inside the dark blue container with the lid closed. Items left outside the cart will not be collected by the automated trucks.
Who handles my waste services if I live just outside the Auburndale city limits?
The Auburndale Public Works Sanitation Division only services residents inside the city limits. If you are a Polk County resident living outside the city boundaries, your solid waste and recycling services are managed by Polk County Solid Waste and Recycling at (863) 284-4319.