Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Horizon West
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside waste collection for Horizon West is managed by Orange County and billed as a non-ad valorem assessment on your annual property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Property Tax Escrow, Online, Mail, In-Person
Green Lid Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be securely bagged to prevent wind-blown litter and deter pests. The cart lid must be completely closed. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day with the handle facing the house.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Plastic bags and films
Blue Lid Cart Bin (Recycling)
Orange County uses a 'Think 5' recycling program. All items must be empty, clean, and dry. Recyclables must be placed loosely in the cart, NEVER in plastic bags. Do not overfill the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (#1-#5)
- ✓Clear to-go cups (no lids/straws)
- ✓Metal cans (tin, steel, aluminum)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard and clean paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or wrap
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Scrap metal or auto parts
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is limited to 3 cubic yards per week. Use your own personal cans (up to 50 gallons) or bags, keeping each under 60 pounds. Branches must be cut to 4 feet or less in length and tied in bundles weighing less than 40 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Small tree branches
- ✓Shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular garbage collection day.
Placement
Place items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Keep bulk items at least three feet away from your roll carts, mailboxes, parked vehicles, and low-hanging branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Tables and chairs
- ✓ Large bulky furniture
- ✓ Oversized household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Refrigerators and freezers (Freon-containing devices)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Automotive parts
There is no additional fee for standard weekly bulk collection up to 3 cubic yards. However, items excluded from the program (like appliances with freon) require specialized private removal.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Orange County Utilities only observes two holidays a year. If your normal collection day falls on or after Thanksgiving or Christmas, your service will be pushed forward by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday, Friday to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and large item collection schedules follow the same one-day delay as standard garbage and recycling during these two holiday weeks.
Services run completely normally on all other holidays, including Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and New Year's Day. Ensure your carts are out by 6:00 a.m. on those days.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberDuring an active tropical storm or hurricane watch, stop placing yard waste or large bulk items at the curb. Secure your green and blue carts in your garage to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles in high winds.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
Late December to JanuaryLive Christmas trees can be placed curbside on your designated yard waste collection day. Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half. Ensure all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand are completely removed.
Spring Landscaping Rush
March to MayAs the weather warms and residents refresh their landscaping, remember that the county strictly enforces a 3 cubic yard weekly limit on yard waste. If you hire a professional landscaper, they are legally required to haul away the debris themselves.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Empty Cans into Cash Right Here in the Area!
Hey Horizon West neighbors! Did you know you can actually get paid for some of your recyclables? While most of our recycling goes to the curb, certain items, especially aluminum cans, can be taken to places that offer cash back. For those looking to get a little extra for their efforts, check out local scrap metal yards. While there isn't a dedicated buyback center specifically listed for Horizon West, the broader Orlando area has options. You can often find places that will take sorted aluminum cans and other metals. It's a good idea to call ahead to see what they accept and their current prices. Every little bit helps, and it keeps valuable materials out of the landfill!
Give Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life in Horizon West
Before you toss that gently used furniture or those clothes that don't fit anymore, think about donating them! Horizon West and the surrounding areas have some fantastic places where your items can find new homes. The Goodwill Superstore on Old Winter Garden Road is a popular spot for clothing, household goods, and even electronics. If you've got larger furniture or home décor, consider reaching out to Habitat for Humanity ReStores in nearby Orlando or Winter Garden. They often accept furniture, appliances, and building materials, and your donation helps fund affordable housing projects. It's a win-win for everyone involved!
Keeping Our Neighborhood Sparkly: Beyond the Regular Bin Days
We all want Horizon West to look its best! While our regular trash and recycling pickups handle a lot, sometimes we have extra things to deal with. If you come across anything that looks like illegal dumping, or if you have hazardous waste like old paint or electronics that can't go in your regular bins, it's important to know how to handle it properly. Orange County Utilities has specific collection centers and days for hazardous waste, so check their website or give them a call to find out when and where you can drop those items off safely. Reporting illegal dumping is also key to keeping our community clean; Orange County typically has a hotline or online form for reporting these issues. Let's all do our part to keep Horizon West beautiful and safe!
Drop-off Facilities
Porter Transfer Station
1326 Good Homes Road, Orlando, FL 32818
Materials Accepted
Orange County Landfill
5901 Young Pine Road, Orlando, FL 32829
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the trash pickup days in Horizon West recently change?
Yes. In late 2025, Orange County Utilities introduced a standardized routing system. As a result, almost all households in Horizon West saw a change in their pickup schedule. Garbage and recycling are now collected on separate days for many residents. You can verify your new schedule using the county's online address lookup tool.
Can I put my old refrigerator on the curb in Horizon West?
No. Orange County Utilities does not collect Freon-containing devices like refrigerators, freezers, or air conditioners as part of the weekly large item pickup program. You must arrange for a private hauler, retailer take-back program, or specialized appliance recycler to handle these items.
How do I throw away moving boxes in Horizon West?
All corrugated cardboard boxes must be completely flattened and placed inside your blue-lidded recycling cart. The lid must close. If you have just moved to a new home and have more boxes than the cart can hold, you must break the disposal up over several weeks or take the excess to the Porter Transfer Station.
Will my trash be picked up on Memorial Day or the 4th of July?
Yes. Orange County only halts collection on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For all other holidays—including Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, and New Year's Day—your green and blue carts will be emptied on their normal schedule. Make sure they are at the curb by 6:00 a.m.