Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for The Villages
Trash Day
Twice per week depending on district; residents are on either a Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday schedule
Recycling
No separate recycling day (recyclables are combined with household trash and processed via the Energy-from-Waste program)
Yard Waste
Collected on your regular scheduled trash pickup days (Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Sanitation charges are bundled directly into your monthly combined District utility and amenities statement ('One-Bill').
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
Resident-provided dark bags or personal cans Bin (Trash)
Place in tightly secured dark plastic bags or personal trash cans (under 40 gallons and 40 lbs). Place at the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before pickup and no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Clear Plastic Bags Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables MUST be placed in clear plastic bags. Glass is no longer accepted in the recycling stream and must be discarded with regular household garbage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard
- ✓Paper and magazines
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic containers and bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Opaque or dark bags
Yard Waste Bin
Place in biodegradable paper bags or bundle with twine. Limbs cannot exceed 4 feet in length or 4 inches in diameter. Max weight is 40 lbs per bag/bundle. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Pine needles
- ✓Small tree branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment
Placement
Schedule a pickup with District Sanitation. Place approved items at the curb on the designated day, ensuring they do not block golf cart paths, roadways, or sidewalks.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ White goods (appliances)
- ✓ Large electronics
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor or construction debris
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
While standard household bulk items are often included, certain freon-containing appliances or excessively large loads may incur an additional special pickup fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
District Sanitation observes a limited holiday schedule. If your collection day falls on one of these holidays, your pickup will be rescheduled.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collection follow the exact same holiday delay protocols as regular household garbage.
Make-up collection days are typically scheduled for the Saturday following the holiday. Always check the VCDD website for specific Saturday make-up dates for your village.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Snowbird / Peak Winter Season
January to AprilAs the seasonal population swells, collection routes may experience slight delays due to the immense volume of household waste. Please be patient and leave your materials at the curb until they are collected.
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberIf severe tropical weather threatens Central Florida, all collection services will be temporarily suspended. Do not leave loose bags, bundles, or cans at the curb, as high winds turn them into golf-cart-damaging projectiles.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
Late DecemberFollowing the holidays, non-metallic wrapping paper and packaging can be placed in clear recycling bags. Artificial Christmas trees are considered bulk waste, while live trees can be collected as yard waste if cut down and stripped of all decorations.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Tossed Treasures into Cold, Hard Cash in The Villages?
While The Villages's basic trash and recycling are covered, ever wonder if those empty cans and bottles could actually pay for a coffee? Florida has a state-wide program for beverage containers, so don't toss those! Look for local redemption centers or even some grocery stores that might take them. For bulkier metal items, like old appliances or scrap metal, check out local scrapyards. A quick online search for "scrap metal recycling The Villages FL" can point you to places like Lake County Metal Recycling or others in nearby areas that might give you a few bucks for your unwanted metal.
Giving Gently Used Goods a Second Life in Our Community
Before you send perfectly good items to the landfill, think about donating them! The Villages and surrounding areas have some great spots. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are fantastic for furniture, appliances, and building materials – check out the one in Ocala. You can also find local thrift stores that welcome clothing, housewares, and books. Donating not only helps others but also keeps usable items out of the trash. Search for "charity donations The Villages" to find the latest options.
Keeping The Villages Spick and Span: Tackling Bulky Items and Dumping
While your regular trash and recycling schedule is set, what about those bigger clean-ups or unexpected items? For bulky item pick-up details specific to your district, you've already got that covered. But if you happen to stumble upon illegally dumped trash in public areas, it's good to know how to report it. In Sumter County, you can typically contact the County Code Enforcement to report these issues. Keeping our community beautiful is a team effort, and reporting these problems helps everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
Sumter County Citizens Drop-off Area
819 CR 529, Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to use clear bags for recycling in The Villages?
The District uses a manual collection system rather than automated carts. Clear bags allow sanitation crews to easily spot and leave behind contaminated materials, which keeps processing costs down, ensures a cleaner recycling stream, and protects the safety of the workers.
Can I leave my trash cans at the end of my driveway all week?
No. The Villages has strict deed compliance rules. You may only place your trash cans or bags at the curb after 5:00 p.m. the day before collection, and they must be stored out of sight in your garage or enclosure immediately after pickup.
Does District Sanitation accept glass bottles for recycling?
No. Glass is no longer accepted in the clear bag recycling program due to processing costs and safety hazards for the crews. All glass must be safely disposed of in your regular household garbage.
What should I do with my grass clippings and yard waste?
Vegetative waste is collected once a week. You must place leaves and clippings in biodegradable paper lawn bags (no plastic). Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than four feet and weighing less than 40 pounds.