Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lakeland
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
Solid waste and recycling charges are bundled directly into your monthly City of Lakeland municipal utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In-Person
Green Cart Bin (Trash)
Place your green cart at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day. The lid opening must face the street, and wheels must face your home. Keep it 3 feet away from mailboxes, cars, and other carts.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged trash
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loose in the blue cart—never bagged! Keep it simple: recycle clean and empty plastic bottles, cans, paper, and cardboard.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers (clean and empty)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clean cardboard
- ✓Paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Stringy or tangled items
- ✕Food residue
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must not go in the green garbage cart. Debris must be bundled, bagged, or containerized. Branches can be no longer than 5 feet and 5 inches in diameter. Bags/containers cannot exceed 40 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches and limbs
- ✓Shrubbery trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (up to 4 free collections per calendar year).
Placement
Items must be placed curbside at the front of your home prior to pickup. Claw trucks cannot service alleyways due to limited space and driver safety hazards.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and mattresses
- ✓ Large tree branches (max 8 feet long for bulk)
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (doors MUST be removed)
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and water heaters
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris from hired contractors
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Automobile parts and tires
- ✕ Dead animals (City removes from right-of-ways only, not private property)
The first four collections (up to 20 cubic yards each) per year are free. Excess amounts, or collections beyond the yearly limit, may incur additional special pickup fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection schedules may be delayed if a major holiday impacts your regular service day. Typically, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of the holiday week (e.g., Monday pickups move to Tuesday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same holiday shift as regular residential garbage and recycling schedules.
Always check the City of Lakeland website or the LakelandGov mobile app for specific route adjustments during holiday weeks, as not every city holiday causes a route delay.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberWhen a severe storm approaches Polk County, secure all rollout carts indoors. Do not place large bulk items or massive yard waste piles at the curb, as high winds can turn debris into dangerous projectiles.
America Recycles Day - ShredFest
NovemberEach November, the City of Lakeland hosts 'ShredFest' in honor of America Recycles Day. Residents can bring up to five file boxes of confidential documents to the Solid Waste Office on Evelyn Ave for free, secure, on-site shredding and recycling.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryAfter major holidays like Christmas, if you exceed your cart's capacity with wrapping paper and packaging, you can place extra bags next to your cart. This will count toward your four free annual overflow pick-ups.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Scrap into Some Scratch in Lakeland!
Got a stack of cans or some old metal lying around? Instead of them gathering dust, think about bringing them to a local scrap yard. While Lakeland itself might not have a dedicated city-run buyback center for cans and bottles like some places, you can often find places in or around Polk County that will take your aluminum cans, steel, and other metals. It's a great way to make a little extra cash while keeping those items out of the landfill. A quick search for "scrap metal Lakeland" or "recycling center Polk County" can point you to options where you can turn your unwanted items into dollars. Also, remember Florida's deposit law on beverage containers – many grocery stores and redemption centers will take back qualifying bottles and cans for that nickel refund.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a New Life in Lakeland
Before you toss those still-good items, consider donating them right here in Lakeland! Places like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on US Highway 98 South are fantastic spots to drop off furniture, appliances, building materials, and home goods. They help fund Habitat for Humanity's mission and give your items a second chance. You can also check with local thrift stores and charitable organizations in the Lakeland area; many are always in need of clothing, books, and household items. It's a win-win: you declutter, and someone else gets a great deal, all while supporting local causes.
Keeping Our Lakeland Neighborhoods Clean Together
See a pile of trash that shouldn't be there? The City of Lakeland wants to know! If you spot illegal dumping, you can report it to the city. They have processes in place to address these issues and keep our community looking its best. Beyond that, keep an eye out for community clean-up events! Often, local groups or the city itself organize these, providing a wonderful opportunity to pitch in and make a tangible difference in your neighborhood parks or common areas. It's a fantastic way to connect with neighbors and show pride in Lakeland.
Drop-off Facilities
North Central Landfill (Polk County Solid Waste)
7425 DeCastro Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33880
Materials Accepted
Lakeland Solid Waste Office (Special Events Only)
605 Evelyn Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I have more garbage than fits in my green cart?
If you have extra bags of trash, leave them next to your garbage cart (not leaning against it). The driver will empty the cart, load your extra bags in, and empty it again. The city allows four of these extra pick-ups per calendar year for free. After you use your four free pick-ups, you will be billed $17.25 per occurrence.
How do I schedule a large furniture or appliance pickup?
Lakeland residents get four free bulk pickups (up to 20 cubic yards each) per calendar year. You must request this service by calling 863-834-8773 or emailing Customer Service. Be sure to place the items at the front curb, not in the alley, and remove all doors from refrigerators or freezers before placing them outside.
Can I put my garbage out in the alley behind my house?
Yes, if your property is currently serviced by a city alley route, you may place your standard garbage and recycling carts there. However, bulk items and large yard waste piles are strictly prohibited in the alleys due to limited space for claw trucks; these must be placed at your front street curb and scheduled for pickup.
How do I know if I have City of Lakeland or Polk County trash service?
You can easily tell by the color of your carts. City of Lakeland customers use a Green cart for garbage and a Blue cart for recycling. If you have a Gray garbage cart and a Black recycling cart with a yellow lid, you are outside city limits and are serviced by Polk County.