Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lakewood Ranch
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.
Gray Cart (96-gallon) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged and tied. The bin lid must close completely. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with wheels against the curb and at least 3 feet from mailboxes or cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Textiles (unusable)
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loose inside the blue cart. Keep all materials clean and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper (newspaper, mail, magazines)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in compostable paper bags, a personal can, or securely bundled (no longer than 4 feet). No plastic bags are accepted. Maximum weight is 40 lbs per container/bundle.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Monthly (up to 2 items) and Annually (one 10-cubic-yard pickup)
Placement
Place items within 3 feet of the roadway by 6:00 a.m. on your designated bulk zone day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (requires scheduling)
- ✓ Tires (requires scheduling)
- ✓ Large household goods
- ✓ Bagged household garbage (for the annual 10-yard collection)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Electronic scrap (E-scrap)
- ✕ Medical or biohazardous waste
- ✕ Commercial construction materials
The 12 monthly pickups (2 items each) and the single annual 10-cubic-yard pickup are included in the pilot program at no extra charge. Tires and white goods must be scheduled via the CSS portal.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week are pushed back by one day (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday). Regular schedules resume the following Monday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday shift as standard garbage and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are typically no delays to the weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Cart
The most common recycling contaminant in Lakewood Ranch is plastic grocery bags. They tangle the sorting equipment at the recycling facility. Take them to your local Publix or supermarket for proper recycling.
Yard Waste Needs Paper, Not Plastic
Manatee County strictly bans plastic bags for yard waste. If you bag your grass clippings or leaves, you must use large, compostable kraft paper yard bags or place them in a reusable trash can.
No Tanglers or Electronics
Never place garden hoses, holiday lights, or cords into the recycling bin. These 'tanglers' cause severe machinery jams. Additionally, all e-waste must be taken to the Lena Road Landfill, not the curbside bin.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring active storm watches or warnings, immediately cease all major yard trimming and do not place bulk items curbside. Secure your 96-gallon and recycling carts inside your garage to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
Spring Cleaning
March - MayAs residents utilize the new Bulk Collection Pilot Program for spring cleanouts, remember that appliances (white goods) and tires still require advanced scheduling through the CSS portal to ensure the correct truck is dispatched.
Winter Holidays
December - JanuaryThe holidays generate excessive cardboard. All boxes must be completely broken down and flattened to fit inside the blue recycling cart. Overflow garbage will not be collected unless it fits inside the gray 'Big Bin.'
About Lakewood Ranch Waste Management
Navigating Solid Waste in a Master-Planned Community
Because Lakewood Ranch spans multiple counties, the majority of its villages fall under unincorporated Manatee County jurisdiction. Here, waste collection is managed through a franchise agreement with Waste Management (WM). Recent updates under the county's 'Big Bin Advantage' initiative have standardized trash collection, providing residents with 96-gallon gray carts. All household waste must fit inside this provided bin with the lid fully closed to ensure efficient, automated weekly service.
The 2026 Bulk Collection Pilot Program
Starting May 1, 2026, Manatee County launched an innovative Bulk Collection Pilot Program that directly benefits Lakewood Ranch homeowners. Instead of waiting for neighborhood cleanups, residents can now place up to two bulk items at the curb once per month on a designated zone-based collection day. This provides up to 12 scheduled bulky item pickups per year without any rate increase, making garage cleanouts and minor furniture updates much easier.
A Comprehensive Annual Cleanup Option
In addition to the monthly two-item allowance, each residential property in Lakewood Ranch is entitled to one massive annual bulk collection of up to 10 cubic yards. This is perfect for larger home improvement projects or spring cleaning. However, unlike the monthly service, this annual pickup must be scheduled in advance through the Manatee County Customer Self-Service (CSS) Portal.
Recycling Right with Single-Stream Systems
Sustainability is a key focus in Lakewood Ranch. Manatee County utilizes a single-stream recycling system where all clean cardboard, paper, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and plastics are placed together in your blue cart. To keep the local processing facility running smoothly, all cardboard must be broken down and flattened, and absolutely no plastic grocery bags should be tossed into the recycling bin.
Drop-off Facilities
Lena Road Landfill
3333 Lena Road, Bradenton, FL 34211
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk appliance pickup in Lakewood Ranch?
While standard bulk furniture is covered under the monthly pilot program, 'white goods' like refrigerators and washing machines must be scheduled in advance to ensure the proper truck is dispatched. You can schedule this through the Manatee County Customer Self-Service (CSS) Portal or by calling 311.
What should I do if my garbage bin is completely full?
Under the Big Bin Advantage program, the lid of your 96-gallon gray cart must close completely. If you regularly have excess trash, you can request an additional cart for a monthly fee of $13.32 (requiring a one-year commitment) through the CSS Portal.
Are plastic garbage bags allowed in my yard waste pile?
No. Manatee County strictly prohibits the use of plastic bags for yard waste. All leaves and clippings must be placed in compostable paper yard bags, bundled securely, or placed loosely in a reusable trash can.
Where can I dispose of old paint and electronics?
Household hazardous waste (like paint and chemicals) and electronic scrap are not accepted in curbside bins or bulk pickups. You must take these items to the Lena Road Landfill in Bradenton, which offers free drop-off Monday through Friday and on the 3rd Saturday of each month.