Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lakewood Ranch
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on the same day as trash)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on the same day as trash)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services for Lakewood Ranch residents are managed by Manatee County Utilities and billed monthly along with your county water and wastewater services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box
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
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.'
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans to Cash in? Lakewood Ranch Recycling Rewards!
Hey neighbors! While you're sorting your recyclables, did you know some of them might actually put a little cash back in your pocket? In Florida, we have a state program where you can redeem certain beverage containers. Keep an eye out for those aluminum cans and plastic bottles with the '0.10' redemption value. You can usually take these to larger grocery stores or dedicated redemption centers. For other items like scrap metal, check out places like AAA Scrap Metal in Palmetto or Metal Supermarkets in Sarasota. They're always looking for metals and might offer a fair price, keeping those bulky items out of the landfill and helping you earn a bit too!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in LWR
Before you toss out items that are still in good shape, think about donating them! Lakewood Ranch has a few great spots. Goodwill is always a fantastic option, and they have several locations nearby, including one in Sarasota. Your contributions help fund their job training programs. Also, check out the Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Sarasota or Bradenton. They accept furniture, building materials, appliances, and home décor, all of which help fund their mission to build homes for families in need. It feels good to declutter and do good at the same time!
Keeping Lakewood Ranch Beautiful: Tackling Bulky Trash & Dumpers
We all want our community to look its best. If you've got bulky items that won't fit in your regular trash bin – think old mattresses or furniture – Waste Management handles these, but it's always good to check their limits beforehand or schedule a special pickup if needed. For those unfortunate instances of illegal dumping, which is a real eyesore and harmful to our environment, the best thing to do is report it. In Manatee County, you can often report these issues to the county's code enforcement or public works department. Sometimes, community clean-up events are organized, especially around Earth Day, so keep an eye on local announcements or community Facebook groups for opportunities to pitch in and keep Lakewood Ranch pristine!
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.