Residential Collection Services

Hauling and disposal of Polk County's waste is not a simple task. It is a science. Nearly 750,000 tons of trash are collected from around the county annually. Of that, about 170,000 tons of municipal solid waste (garbage) are generated by the approximate 140,000 unincorporated Polk household customers.

The county's Solid Waste Ordinance governing residential waste collection was enacted in 1989. Fees for once-a-week trash collection are billed through annual assessments.

Polk County contracts with Advanced Disposal Services and FCC Environmental for residential curbside collection. Residential Collection Guidelines

• Household waste collection (automated)
• Yard waste collection
• Recyclable material collection (automated)
• Bulk waste collection (As needed)

All residential curbside collection occurs Monday-Friday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

• Curbside Collection Placement Guidelines
• All household waste, recyclable materials and routine yard waste should be placed curbside either the night before or by 6 a.m. on your collection day
• Roll cart, bundles, yard waste and bulk waste must be:
  • Within three feet of the curb or edge of the street
  • At least three feet from other fixed objects
• Find Your Collection Day to learn your scheduled collection day based on area.

Unacceptable Trash Items

Do not place the following materials/items in your garbage roll cart or at the curb. If any of these items are found in your cart or at the curb, they will be tagged with an instructional notice and not serviced. Call (863) 284-4319 for proper disposal information.

• Trees or land clearing debris e.g., rocks or large tree remains, including trunks, stumps or root systems regardless of how small they have been cut. For more information, see guidelines for yard waste.
• Cars
• Boats
• Tires
• Automobile parts
• Engines
• Asbestos
• Radioactive materials
• Explosives, including propane cylinders
• Biomedical waste, including sharps/syringes used for medical purposes
• Household Hazardous Wastes, such as:
  • Lead-acid batteries
  • Used oil or oil filters
  • Any product labeled:
    • Toxic
    • Poison
    • Corrosive
    • Flammable
    • Irritant