Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Winter Haven
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on the same assigned service day as trash.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected once per week on your regular collection day (up to 5 cubic yards per pickup).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, water, sewer, and stormwater charges are conveniently bundled into one monthly City of Winter Haven utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Green Bin (Trash)
Place all garbage inside the green container. All trash must be bagged and securely tied. Place the cart curbside by 7:00 AM with the handle facing your home, leaving 3 feet of clearance on all sides.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Shredded paper
- ✓Tissue and paper towels
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All items must be empty, clean, and dry. Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely into the blue cart. Cart must be curbside by 7:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal and aluminum cans
- ✓Office paper, magazines, and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Glitter or mylar paper
- ✕Tissue or paper towels
- ✕Hot ashes
- ✕Medical waste or paint
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put yard waste in the green trash cart. Branches must be cut to 4 feet or less. Leaves and clippings must be bagged or bundled. Must schedule a brush pickup for large piles via Access Winter Haven.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Yard vegetation
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Bushes and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By scheduled appointment only
Placement
Place items curbside by 7:00 AM on your scheduled day, keeping them at least 3 feet away from your carts, hydrants, and mailboxes. Bend over any nails protruding from lumber.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerators, water heaters, dryers)
- ✓ Furniture (couches, mattresses, armchairs)
- ✓ Bagged or bundled brush (cut to 4 feet)
- ✓ Non-horticultural refuse
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Medical waste
- ✕ Dirt and rocks
Up to 5 cubic yards of yard waste is free; excess is $7.36/yard. Appliances cost ~$17.58 each, furniture ~$14.69 each, and non-horticultural refuse ~$15.67 per cubic yard (rates subject to change).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and the remainder of the week typically shift forward by one day (e.g., Thursday routes move to Friday, Friday routes to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
All vegetation will be serviced one day later all week. Additionally, absolutely no bulk pick-ups will be scheduled during holiday weeks.
Verify the exact schedule via the Access Winter Haven portal, as shifts vary depending on whether the holiday lands on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring peak tropical weather, avoid major tree pruning or placing bulk yard waste at the curb if a storm warning is active. High winds can scatter unsecured branches into the Chain of Lakes or turn them into dangerous projectiles.
Late Winter Pruning
February - MarchMany residents do major yard cleanups after the last frost in late February. Remember that large piles of brush exceeding 5 cubic yards will incur a $7.36 fee per additional cubic yard, so plan large landscape cleanups accordingly.
Holiday Delays
November - DecemberDuring Thanksgiving and Christmas, normal collection schedules typically shift forward by one day. Keep in mind that no bulk pick-ups will be scheduled during holiday weeks to accommodate the heavy volume of household waste.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Empty Bottles and Cans into Cold Cash Around Winter Haven!
Did you know you can get a few bucks back for those soda cans and plastic bottles? Florida has a state program, and while Winter Haven doesn't have a dedicated buyback center right in town, you can often find places like ABC Fine Wine & Spirits or even some smaller convenience stores that participate in the Florida Bottle Deposit program. It's always a good idea to call ahead to make sure they're accepting returns. For larger amounts of scrap metal, like old appliances or bike frames, check out local scrap yards such as A&B Scrap Metal in Lakeland; they'll give you a fair price for your metal treasures. It's a win-win for your wallet and the planet!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Winter Haven
Before you toss that couch or those clothes that no longer fit, think about giving them a new home! Winter Haven has some fantastic spots where your unwanted items can really make a difference. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lakeland is a great place to donate furniture, appliances, and building materials. For clothing, household goods, and even some furniture, you might consider the Goodwill Store on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Sometimes, local churches or community centers also run donation drives, so keep an eye on community bulletin boards for those opportunities. It feels good to help others in our neighborhood!
Keeping Winter Haven Beautiful: Tackling Bulky Items & Dumping
We all want Winter Haven to look its best, right? If you've got big items you need to get rid of, remember to check the city's guidelines for bulk trash pickup to avoid any extra hassle. For anything that seems like it might be an illegal dumping situation – like old mattresses or construction debris left by the roadside – the best thing to do is report it directly to the City of Winter Haven's Public Works Department. They have systems in place to address these issues and keep our streets clean. Occasionally, Polk County hosts Household Hazardous Waste collection events for things like old paint or electronics, so look out for those announcements too; they're super important for proper disposal.
Drop-off Facilities
North Central Landfill
7215 East Highway 540, Winter Haven, FL 33880
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have city or county trash service in Winter Haven?
If your home is within the Winter Haven city limits, you will have a green garbage cart and a blue recycling cart. If you have a grey garbage cart and a black recycling cart, your service is handled by Polk County, not the city.
How do I get rid of an old couch or refrigerator?
Winter Haven offers bulk pick-up as an 'a la carte' service. You must schedule the pickup through the Access Winter Haven portal. There is a fee per item (e.g., around $17 for appliances and $14 for furniture) that will be billed to you.
Can I recycle shredded paper in my blue bin?
No. Shredded paper is too small for the sorting machines to process properly and it frequently causes mechanical jams. Throw any paper smaller than the size of a credit card into your green garbage cart.
What happens to my trash pickup if there is a holiday?
The city observes major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Memorial Day. Generally, if your pickup day falls on a holiday, it is delayed by one day, and subsequent days that week are also pushed back one day. No bulk pickups are scheduled during holiday weeks.