Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bartow
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste and recycling collection fees are automatically billed each month on your City of Bartow municipal utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box, Auto-Pay
City-Provided Cart (Green) Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged before being placed in the cart. Bags outside the cart will not be collected. Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with arrows pointing toward the street and 4 feet of clearance from other objects.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Putrescible animal or vegetable wastes
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable packaging
Blue Cart with Yellow Lid Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream recycling system. All items must be empty, clean, dry, and placed loosely into the cart (never bagged). Keep the cart at least 4 feet away from your garbage cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and office paper
- ✓Magazines, junk mail, and phone books
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans (discard caps)
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Pizza boxes or food-stained paper
- ✕Styrofoam and garden hoses
- ✕Fluorescent lamps, light bulbs, and electronics
- ✕Ceramics, Pyrex, and tableware
Yard Waste Bin
Place curbside on your normal collection day. If possible, containerize loose clippings and cut and bundle tree limbs to assist the collection crews.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and fallen fruit
- ✓Tree or shrubbery cuttings
- ✓Standard vegetative landscaping debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (On your regular collection day)
Placement
Place items at the curb (not on the sidewalk) by 7:00 a.m. Ensure they are free from overhead obstructions like low-hanging wires or trees and placed away from parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Carpet and clothes
- ✓ Refrigerators, stoves, and microwaves
- ✓ Up to 5 vehicle tires (usually Wednesdays via special pickup or drop-off)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and automotive fluids
- ✕ Propane tanks and fire extinguishers
- ✕ Pesticides and lawn chemicals
- ✕ Electronics and fluorescent bulbs
Standard residential bulk and junk collection is covered by your monthly $23.72 solid waste fee. There is a $5 fine if your empty carts are not removed from the curb by dark on the day following collection.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Depending on the specific holiday, collection days are typically shifted one day later (e.g., Monday collection moves to Tuesday). Mid-week holidays usually shift Thursday/Friday routes. Holidays like Good Friday, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day do not impact the schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Since yard waste, junk, and appliances are collected on the exact same day as standard garbage, they follow the identical holiday delay schedule.
The Solid Waste office and phone lines are closed on observed city holidays, but crews will operate on the adjusted holiday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall / Hurricane Season
August to OctoberDuring the peak of hurricane season, refrain from placing bulk waste or large yard debris piles at the curb if a tropical storm watch is issued for Polk County. High winds can turn junk and uncollected branches into dangerous projectiles that threaten homes.
Hazardous Waste Collection
OctoberThe City of Bartow's Solid Waste Department holds a special Hazardous Waste Collection Day every October. This is the designated time to clear out your garage of old paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, and automotive fluids for safe, local disposal.
Spring Cleaning
March to MaySpring is an ideal time to take advantage of the Capital City Clean-Up schedule or standard weekly bulk collection. You can place unwanted furniture, mattresses, and appliances at the curb for automated collection, or drop off large quantities of cardboard at the Solid Waste facility.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Recyclables into Cold, Hard Cash in Bartow
Got a stash of aluminum cans or plastic bottles piling up? Instead of just tossing them, consider a quick trip to a local buyback center or scrap yard. While Bartow doesn't have specific buyback centers within its immediate city limits, nearby areas in Polk County often do. Keep an eye out for places that specialize in scrap metal or offer redemption for containers. Florida does have a statewide deposit on beverage containers, so collecting those cans and bottles can definitely add up! A quick search for "Polk County scrap metal recycling" or "Florida bottle deposit redemption" should point you in the right direction for locations that will pay you for your efforts. It’s a great way to make a little extra money while doing your part for the environment.
Give Your Unwanted Items a Second Life in Bartow!
Before you decide something is just trash, think about giving it a new home! In Bartow and the surrounding Polk County area, there are fantastic places to donate items that are still in good condition. For furniture, housewares, and building materials, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lakeland is a wonderful option. They also accept donations of gently used appliances. Local thrift stores are always on the lookout for clothing, books, and small household goods. A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't give it to a friend, it might not be suitable for donation, but many charities are happy to take items that can be repurposed or sold to fund their good work. It's a win-win for everyone!
Keeping Bartow Beautiful: Tackling Bulky Trash and Illegal Dumping
Nobody likes seeing unwanted items cluttering up our streets or natural spaces. While bulky item pickup is scheduled, it's good to know how Bartow handles situations where things get a bit out of hand, like illegal dumping. The City of Bartow Solid Waste Management Department (you can reach them at 863-534-0181) is the go-to for reporting any suspicious activity or areas where trash has been improperly discarded. They can also advise on how to properly dispose of larger, non-scheduled items. Participating in local community clean-up events is another fantastic way to pitch in and help keep Bartow looking its best for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
Bartow Solid Waste Facility
2060 E Highway 60, Bartow, FL 33830
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I put my trash and recycling carts out in Bartow?
You must place your City-provided roll-out carts at the curb or street (not the sidewalk) before 7:00 a.m. on the morning of your scheduled collection day. Ensure the arrows on the lids point toward the street and keep them 4 feet apart.
Do I have to separate my yard waste and appliances on different days?
No! Bartow utilizes a highly efficient system where garbage, recycling, yard waste, junk, and appliances are all collected on the exact same day each week for your specific neighborhood.
What happens if I leave my garbage cart at the curb after my collection day?
The City of Bartow Solid Waste Ordinance requires carts to be removed from the curb and stored next to your home or in your garage by dark on the day following collection. Failure to do so will result in a $5 fine added to your utility bill per occurrence.
How do I dispose of an old refrigerator or couch?
Appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and microwaves, as well as bulk junk like furniture and mattresses, are collected right at the curb on your normal neighborhood waste collection day. Just be sure to remove the doors from refrigerators for safety.