Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Wekiwa Springs
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.
Grey/Green Cart (or resident-provided up to 50 gallons if in manual zone) Bin (Trash)
Place your garbage cart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day. To deter bears, do not set carts out the night before unless using an approved bear-resistant container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper products
Blue Cart or Green Cart with Blue Lid Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be clean, empty, and dry. Place items loosely in the recycling cart; do not bag your recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper and junk mail
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (#1-#5)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam/Polystyrene
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
- ✕Food residue
- ✕Clothing and textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Use personal waterproof cans (max 50 gallons/50 lbs) or tied bundles. Branches cannot exceed 4 feet in length or 4 inches in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Tree limbs (cut down to size)
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on designated garbage day
Placement
Place large bulk items at least 3 feet away from your garbage and recycling carts. Remove all doors from refrigerators or freezers before placing them at the curb to prevent entrapment.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ White goods (appliances)
- ✓ Carpeting (cut into 4-foot rolls)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Paints and chemicals
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, bricks)
Standard bulk collection within the limit is covered by the annual solid waste assessment. Excessive amounts or unauthorized construction debris may require a private hauler or result in a tag.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular collection day falls on Thanksgiving or Christmas, your service will be suspended for that day and shifted to the next available collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection schedules will also shift by one day if interrupted by these two major holidays.
Collections occur normally on all other holidays, including Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Film Plastics Out
Grocery bags, produce bags, and plastic wrap are strictly forbidden in your Wekiwa Springs recycling bin. These film plastics wrap around the gears at the local sorting plant, causing machinery breakdowns.
Clean Your Takeout Containers
Before tossing that plastic takeout container or glass pasta sauce jar into the recycling, give it a quick rinse. Any residual food or grease can ruin an entire bale of paper products.
When in Doubt, Throw It Out
Wish-cycling does more harm than good. If you are unsure whether an item (like an old toy, ceramic mug, or random plastic part) is recyclable locally, it is better to place it in the household trash to avoid contaminating good recyclables.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued for Seminole County, immediately secure all solid waste carts, bulk items, and yard debris inside a garage or shed. Do not place yard waste at the curb during active storm warnings.
Fall
October - DecemberDuring periods of heavier leaf drop, make sure all leaves are bagged or placed in designated yard waste cans. Do not sweep or blow leaves into the street or storm drains, as this directly pollutes the Wekiva River basin.
Winter / Holidays
Late December - JanuaryReal Christmas trees are collected on your standard yard waste day. Strip the tree of all tinsel, lights, and stands. Trees longer than 8 feet must be cut in half for the haulers to collect them.
About Wekiwa Springs Waste Management
Protecting Wekiwa Springs Through Proper Waste Management
Nestled near the breathtaking Wekiwa Springs State Park and the delicate Wekiva River ecosystem, the community of Wekiwa Springs relies on responsible waste disposal to protect its local waterways. Residential waste collection is managed under the umbrella of Seminole County Solid Waste, which contracts with specific haulers to provide standardized curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste services.
Navigating Bear Country Garbage Rules
Because Wekiwa Springs borders extensive natural conservation lands, black bear encounters are a common reality for many residents. Securing your garbage is not just a recommendation; it is vital for wildlife conservation. The county strongly encourages the use of bear-resistant trash cans for homes located in the urban-wildland interface. If you do not have a bear-resistant cart, you must wait until 6:00 a.m. on the morning of collection to place your household garbage at the curb.
Single-Stream Recycling Guidelines
Wekiwa Springs participates in Seminole County's comprehensive single-stream recycling program. Residents are provided with designated recycling carts designed to capture clean cardboard, paper, glass bottles, metal cans, and plastics labeled #1 through #5. To keep processing facilities running efficiently, Wekiwa Springs residents must never place their recyclables in plastic bags. Loose, unbagged materials ensure higher recycling yields and lower contamination rates.
Yard Waste and Seasonal Brush Pickup
Given the lush, wooded environment of the Wekiwa Springs community, managing yard waste is a year-round endeavor. Seminole County designates one day per week specifically for yard waste collection. Vegetative debris such as pine needles, palm fronds, grass clippings, and small branches must be placed in separate, reusable containers or tied into easily manageable bundles to prevent street litter and stormwater drain clogs.
Drop-off Facilities
Seminole County Landfill (Osceola Road Solid Waste Facility)
1930 E. Osceola Road, Geneva, FL 32732
Materials Accepted
Central Transfer Station
1950 State Road 419, Longwood, FL 32750
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proper way to dispose of old paint in Wekiwa Springs?
Liquid paint is considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and cannot be placed in your curbside garbage. You must take liquid paint to the Seminole County Central Transfer Station in Longwood. If the paint is completely dried out and solid, you may leave the lid off and place the can in your regular household trash.
Does Wekiwa Springs have special rules for garbage due to local bear populations?
Yes. Because Wekiwa Springs is adjacent to heavily wooded state parks, black bears are active in the area. The county strongly advises storing garbage in a secured garage or using an approved bear-resistant cart. If you do not have a bear-resistant cart, you are required by local ordinance to wait until 6:00 a.m. on your collection day to place your trash at the curb.
Can I put my yard waste in plastic bags?
While some zones in Seminole County still permit yard waste in heavy-duty plastic bags, the county highly encourages using reusable plastic or metal garbage cans (up to 50 gallons) for yard waste to reduce plastic pollution. Paper lawn and leaf bags are also a great environmentally friendly alternative.
Who do I contact if my trash or recycling is missed?
Wekiwa Springs residents should contact Seminole County Solid Waste Management at 407-665-2260. If your carts were out by 6:00 a.m. and were not tagged for contamination or improper placement, the county will coordinate with the hauler to address the missed pickup.