Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tavares
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.
Blue Cart Bin (Trash)
Place the blue cart on the curb by 7:00 a.m. with the handle facing your home. Do not place within 4 feet of other objects. Trash placed outside the cart is subject to additional charges.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Standard municipal solid waste
- ✓Compost material
Green or Blue Cart (varies by neighborhood) Bin (Recycling)
Empty loose recyclables directly into your container. Never bag your recyclables, and do not overfill the container—the lid must close tightly to avoid contamination charges.
Accepted Items
- ✓Dry plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean paper
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Loose plastic bags
- ✕Bagged recyclables
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Glass bottles (verify current local drop-off rules)
Yard Waste Bin
Limited to 2 cubic yards per week to avoid extra fees. Place limbs in an area free of obstruction, avoiding low-hanging wires, sprinklers, and utility boxes. Picked up on Thursday or Friday.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Brush
- ✓Aquatic foliage
- ✓Yard clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a week (Monday or Tuesday depending on zone)
Placement
Items must be placed curbside away from your automated cart. The city recommends placing your cart on one side of the driveway and bulk items on the other.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Appliances (White goods)
- ✓ Large metal items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Car batteries
- ✕ Motor oil and paint
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Fluorescent light bulbs
- ✕ Concrete and construction debris
- ✕ Deceased animals
Bulk waste exceeding 2 cubic yards, or collections beyond the 4 free annual pickups, will be subject to a fee of $7.96 per additional cubic yard (rates subject to change).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a holiday falls on a regular trash day, there is no pickup service. Due to the twice-weekly schedule, the extra trash will simply be removed on your next regularly scheduled pickup day. Collection is not shifted by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Brush, bulk, and recycling collections that fall on a holiday are also skipped and collected either on their next designated weekly cycle or a specific makeup date posted by the city.
If you cannot wait for the next scheduled pickup after a holiday, residents with a valid ID can dispose of household trash for free at the Lake County Landfill.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Unbagged
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags or standard trash bags. Plastic bags tangle in the sorting facility's gears, classifying the entire batch as contaminated.
Separate Bulk from Your Bins
The automated mechanical arms used for regular trash cannot operate if bulk items or yard waste are blocking the cart. Keep all bulk items at least four feet away, preferably on the opposite side of the driveway.
The Lid Must Close Tightly
Overfilling your blue or green cart so the lid remains open invites rain, pests, and spillage. If the lid cannot shut completely, you may face a non-collection notice or an extra volume fee.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring active tropical storm warnings, suspend all major yard pruning and aquatic foliage removal. High winds can turn curb-side brush piles into dangerous projectiles. Secure all waste carts indoors until the storm passes.
New Fiscal Year Cleanups
October - NovemberThe city's four free bulk item pickups reset on October 1st with the start of the new fiscal year. Fall is an excellent time to schedule garage cleanouts or appliance upgrades without incurring overage fees.
Winter Holidays
December - JanuaryTavares observes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Since the city does not shift schedules by one day, expect a longer gap between collections if your normal days fall on these dates.
About Tavares Waste Management
Twice-Weekly Blue Cart Service
Unlike many neighboring municipalities, the City of Tavares provides residents with a robust twice-weekly household garbage collection using city-issued blue carts. To ensure seamless automated pickup, your cart must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with the handle facing your home. Always ensure a minimum of a four-foot clearance around the cart, keeping it away from mailboxes, parked cars, or bulk waste piles.
Handling Florida's Aquatic Foliage and Yard Debris
Given Tavares' beautiful lakefront location, managing yard waste includes special provisions for aquatic foliage. The city collects up to two cubic yards of tree limbs, brush, and aquatic plants per week on either Thursday or Friday, depending on your zone. Placing these materials safely away from low-hanging wires, trees, and utility boxes guarantees uninterrupted service without incurring extra fees.
Maximizing Your Free Annual Bulk Pickups
Tavares offers a generous bulk waste program, providing homeowners with four free large item collections every fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). Whether you are clearing out old furniture or broken appliances, you can set out up to two cubic yards (about the size of a standard couch) on your designated Monday or Tuesday bulk day. Be sure to place bulk items on the opposite side of your driveway from your standard waste carts.
The Unique Holiday Skip Rule and Landfill Perk
Tavares observes twelve major holidays annually. Unlike cities that slide their schedule back by a single day, Tavares simply skips the holiday and resumes collection on your next regularly scheduled pickup day. If you cannot wait for the next cycle, the city offers a fantastic perk: Tavares residents with a valid ID can drop off their household trash for free at the Lake County Landfill on County Road 561.
Drop-off Facilities
Lake County Landfill
13130 County Landfill Rd., Tavares, FL 32778
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my trash pickup day falls on a holiday in Tavares?
The City of Tavares does not push collections back by one day. Instead, if your pickup falls on an observed holiday, the service is skipped and your trash will be collected on your next regularly scheduled collection day. Alternatively, residents can take trash to the Lake County Landfill for free with a valid ID.
How many free bulk trash pickups do I get?
Homeowners receive four free bulk item pickups per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). Each free pickup is limited to two cubic yards. Any excess volume or additional pickups will result in extra charges on your utility bill.
Where should I place my bins and bulk items on collection day?
Your blue garbage cart must have its handle facing your home and sit at least four feet away from mailboxes and cars. The city highly recommends placing your cart on one side of your driveway and your yard or bulk waste on the opposite side to ensure the automated trucks have clear access.
Can I throw aquatic plants and lake weeds in my yard waste?
Yes. Tavares collects aquatic foliage along with standard yard waste (like tree limbs and brush) on Thursdays or Fridays. However, you must limit your aquatic foliage and brush piles to two cubic yards per week to avoid supplemental disposal fees.