Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for East Lake
Trash Day
East Lake is an unincorporated community where trash collection is arranged directly through licensed private haulers (such as WM, Waste Pro, or Waste Connections) or managed through neighborhood HOAs, typically offering twice-weekly pickup on designated days.
Recycling
Determined by your chosen private hauler or HOA (typically once per week; county drop-off recycling centers are also available).
Yard Waste
Scheduled directly through your private waste collection provider.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services are not billed on Pinellas County utility bills; residents pay their contracted private hauler directly or through HOA fees.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly or Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
No specific discounts listed; check directly with your private hauler.
Varies by Hauler (Often Green, Gray, or Black) Bin (Trash)
Bag all regular household trash to prevent wind-blown litter and pest issues. Ensure your cart's lid is fully closed, and place the bin at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service days, maintaining at least three feet of clearance from mailboxes and vehicles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Varies by Hauler (Often Blue) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely into the recycling cart. Do not bag your recyclables. Rinse out all food residue from cans and bottles before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper, newspaper, and mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must typically be bagged, or branches must be bundled (often restricted to 4 feet in length and under 50 pounds). Do not mix yard waste with household garbage; Pinellas County aims to convert this material into mulch.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies (By Request or Contract)
Placement
Place bulk items curbside only after scheduling with your private hauler. Ensure the items are kept at least 3 feet away from mailboxes, regular bins, and vehicles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (varies by hauler)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household Hazardous Waste
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Wet paint
- ✕ Vehicle parts
Many haulers include a limited number of free bulk pickups per year in their service, but extra or excessively large loads may incur an additional fee. Confirm rates directly with your provider.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major holiday falls on a weekday and the Pinellas County Disposal Complex closes, private haulers typically delay collection by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collections follow the same holiday delay schedule as standard trash, though specific pickup days depend entirely on your private hauler.
Because East Lake residents use various private haulers, always verify your specific holiday schedule directly with your chosen waste company (e.g., WM, Waste Pro, Waste Connections).
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberSecure your trash and recycling carts indoors or in a garage when a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching. Never put bulk items or yard debris at the curb prior to a storm, as high winds can turn these objects into dangerous projectiles.
Winter Holidays
December to JanuaryRemember the 'Nice and Naughty' recycling list from Pinellas County. Plain wrapping paper and cardboard boxes are nice and recyclable, but foil wrapping, ribbons, bows, and tinsel belong on the naughty list and must go in the regular garbage.
Spring Cleaning
March to MayPinellas County converts thousands of tons of yard waste into free mulch. Keep your yard debris out of the regular trash bin; instead, bag it or bundle it according to your private hauler's specifications for dedicated yard waste diversion.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash for Your Cans and Bottles Right Near East Lake?
Did you know some of your recyclables can actually put a few bucks back in your pocket? While East Lake itself might not have a dedicated buyback center, a quick drive over to Clearwater or St. Petersburg will get you to places that accept aluminum cans and plastic bottles for cash. Keep an eye out for local scrap metal yards too – they often pay for old appliances or metal scraps, which is a great way to clear out that garage and make a little extra dough. It’s all part of helping our beautiful Florida environment stay clean!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a New Home Around East Lake
Before you toss out that couch or those clothes that are still in good shape, think about donating them! There are some fantastic organizations not too far from East Lake that would love to give your items a second life. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Largo is always looking for furniture, building materials, and appliances. You could also check out local thrift stores like the Salvation Army or Goodwill in nearby areas. It’s a win-win: you declutter, and someone else gets what they need.
Keeping East Lake Spick and Span: Tackling Dumping & Cleanup Fun
We all love our East Lake community, and keeping it tidy is a group effort. If you ever spot illegal dumping – like old mattresses or bags of trash left in strange places – it’s super important to report it. Pinellas County has a hotline for this, and they’ll send someone out to investigate. Also, keep an ear out for neighborhood or county-wide cleanup events! These are awesome opportunities to pitch in, meet your neighbors, and make a real difference in keeping our streets and parks beautiful.
Drop-off Facilities
Pinellas County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Center
2855 109th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Materials Accepted
Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex
3095 114th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for garbage collection in East Lake, Florida?
Because East Lake is an unincorporated community in Pinellas County, there is no single municipal trash provider. Residents must independently set up a subscription with a county-licensed private hauler, such as Waste Management, Waste Connections, Solar Sanitation, or Waste Pro.
Can I get a replacement trash bin directly from Pinellas County?
No. Pinellas County does not provide residential trash or recycling carts to homes in unincorporated East Lake. If your bin is damaged, stolen, or broken, you must contact your specific private subscription hauler to request a replacement or repair.
How do I dispose of a broken television or laptop in East Lake?
Electronics should not be placed in your curbside bins. You can safely dispose of e-waste at the Pinellas County Household Hazardous Waste Center in St. Petersburg, or you can wait for one of the county's designated mobile chemical collection events, which occasionally take place near East Lake High School.
What holidays will disrupt my trash pickup schedule in East Lake?
While exact schedules depend on your private hauler, most routes are delayed by one day if the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex is closed. The main landfill complex traditionally closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.