Waste Collection Update

Important Changes Coming to Unincorporated Polk County Waste Collection Customers

Effective Oct. 1, Residential waste collection service areas have changed. Below is a map showing the new areas. FCC will continue waste collection in the western area of the county, GFL is our new hauler for the eastern area of the county and PCSW is expanding operations to include the entire southern area of the county.

New Collection Days

Your collection days may have changed. Under the new contract, yard waste will be collected on the same day as residential waste. Most yard waste and residential waste guidelines will remain the same. Yard waste within the guidelines listed below may be mixed with residential waste. Yard waste in personal containers, bags and bundles will still be collected separately so that it can be ground up and used as landfill cover and free mulch for residents.

Curbside Recycling Collection Ending

Under the new contracts, we no longer offer curbside recycling collection. However, you can continue using your recycling cart for household or yard waste until it’s no longer serviceable. If you’d like your cart removed, please call the Solid Waste Division at (863) 284-4319.

What can I do with my recyclable materials?

The landfill will continue to provide drop off containers, located across from Household Hazardous Waste, for those materials traditionally recycled curbside. Also, the landfill will continue to recycle concrete, yard trash, appliances, scrap metals, electronics and household hazardous wastes.  Residents are also encouraged to pursue their own means of recycling though local recycling drop off locations (such as businesses) or by mail.

Accepted Recyclable Materials

• Aluminum cans
• Steel (tin) cans or containers
• Cardboard, cereal boxes, egg cartons (cardboard)
• Newspaper, uncoated paper, paper products
• Most gallon and half gallon, translucent plastics (no colored or clear plastics), milk, juice or water jugs
• Only translucent plastics (no colored or clear plastics) are accepted.

Keeping recyclable materials free of grease, soil and residue is the best way to ensure success. Avoid including items that can contaminate the bin. Only those items listed should be placed in the recyclable materials bins. Items not listed above should be placed in your household waste cart.

Why not glass and plastic?

Glass breaks easily during the collection process and compromises other viable materials in the RMCP roll cart. As a result, broken glass embeds in healthy materials making them unlikely to be reused or recycled successfully into new products.

Not all plastics are created equal. Many do not blend effectively during the process of creating a new product. This poses regulatory and processing challenges to manufacturers, who incorporate post-consumer plastics into a new product. For this reason, Polk County limits its collection to products that have the longest environmental and economic value, such as milk and juice jugs.

How do I get an additional roll cart for garbage?

• Complete the lease application (effective Oct. 1) or visit the Solid Waste Administrative Office. Each household may have one additional cart. The carts can be serviced and/or replaced as needed.
• Hand-deliver your application and payment to the Solid Waste Administrative Office or mail your application and check, payable to Polk BoCC, to:
  • Solid Waste Administrative Office
    Attn: Additional Garbage Cart
    10 Environmental Loop S.
    Winter Haven, FL 33880
• Cost: $67 One-time lease fee (non-refundable).
• No disposal fee effective Oct. 1, 2024
• Acceptable form of payment: Cash, check and credit cards
• Make checks payable to: Polk BoCC

Guidelines for household waste collection:

• Place all household waste inside your garbage roll cart
• Cart must be curbside from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Position the garbage roll cart so the lid opens to the street
• Your recycling container may be used for household waste
• Garbage roll cart must be within 3 feet of the curb or edge of the street
• Garbage roll cart must be at least 3 feet from other fixed objects
• Have items too large to fit in your cart? Learn more about Furniture and Appliance Collection
• To minimize litter, make sure your garbage roll cart lid is closed.

Guidelines for routine yard waste collection

Yard waste items must be:

• Curbside from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Within 3 feet of the curb or edge of the street
• At least 3 feet from other fixed objects
• All yard waste must be bagged, bundled or containerized for collection
• Your recycling container may be used for yard waste
• Up to four containers will be collected per week
• Bundles, bags or containers of yard waste should weigh less than 30 pounds each
• Branches should be no more than 3 feet in length and no more than 2 inches in diameter

Click here to see your collection days.

You may also find a sticker on your household waste container indicating your new collection day.

Stay Informed with Text Alerts

Sign up for text alerts* to stay connected with your county government and receive relevant updates, including waste collection changes. Simply text “Hello” to (888) 299-POLK (7655) to register. You can customize your preferences and opt-out anytime. Regular text message rates apply. Alternatively, you can sign up for alerts and chat with us through FYI Polk, our virtual assistant available at www.polk-county.net/.
*Please note that text alerts do not replace Alert Polk in severe weather emergencies.