Polk County, Florida, is dedicated to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for its residents. A crucial part of this commitment is the efficient and reliable residential waste collection service. While you might be on the lookout for “Polk County Pick And Pay Car Parts” for your automotive needs, understanding the county’s solid waste management system is equally important for every homeowner. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Polk County’s residential waste collection, ensuring your home stays clutter-free and you’re contributing to a sustainable community.
Understanding Polk County’s Residential Waste Services
Managing waste for a large community like Polk County, with nearly 750,000 tons of trash collected annually, is a complex operation. For the approximately 140,000 households in unincorporated Polk, the county provides weekly curbside collection of municipal solid waste, yard waste, and furniture/appliances. Established in 1989, the Polk County Solid Waste Ordinance ensures a structured and effective system, funded through annual assessments.
Currently, Polk County contracts with GFL and FCC Environmental for these essential residential curbside collection services.
Weekly Curbside Collection Services: A Detailed Overview
Polk County offers three primary residential curbside collection services, operating Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
Household Waste Collection
For everyday household trash, Polk County utilizes an automated collection system. Residents are provided with roll carts – available in 35, 65, or 95-gallon sizes – for all household waste. These carts are specifically designed for automated lifting mechanisms on collection vehicles, ensuring efficient and hygienic pickup.
Image alt text: Automated side-loading garbage truck lifting a residential roll cart in Polk County, Florida, showcasing efficient waste management technology.
Guidelines for Household Waste Collection:
- Cart Usage: All household waste must be placed inside the provided garbage roll cart. No other containers are permitted for household waste.
- Placement: Position the roll cart curbside with the lid opening towards the street, within three feet of the curb or edge of the street, and at least three feet away from any fixed objects like mailboxes or parked cars.
- Lid Closure: Ensure the garbage roll cart lid is fully closed to prevent litter and keep pests out.
- Additional Carts: Households needing extra capacity can lease a second garbage roll cart for a one-time fee. Applications are available online or at the Solid Waste Administrative Office.
Backdoor Service: For residents with physical limitations, Polk County offers a backdoor collection service. Eligible residents who complete an application can have their roll carts collected directly from their property. Contact customer care at (863) 284-4319 for details.
Yard Waste Collection (Horticultural Trash)
Polk County provides weekly collection of routine yard waste, supporting residents in maintaining their landscapes. This service is for typical lawn and garden maintenance debris.
Image alt text: Bundled yard waste, including branches and palm fronds, neatly placed curbside for collection in a Polk County residential area.
Guidelines for Routine Yard Waste Collection:
- Acceptable Items: Routine yard waste includes shrub and tree trimmings, grass clippings, palm fronds, and branches.
- Preparation: Yard waste must be bagged, bundled, or containerized. Branches should be cut to no more than three feet in length and two inches in diameter. Each bundle, bag, or container should weigh under 30 pounds.
- Quantity Limits: Up to four containers/bundles of yard waste will be collected per week.
- Placement: Place yard waste curbside, within three feet of the curb and three feet from fixed objects, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on your collection day.
Non-Routine Yard Trash: Items like whole trees, tree trunks, stumps, logs, root systems, and land clearing debris are considered non-routine and will not be collected. Residents are responsible for disposing of non-conforming debris themselves. Contact the Solid Waste Division for a list of commercial haulers.
Furniture and Appliance Collection (Bulk Waste)
For larger items that don’t fit in your roll cart, Polk County offers monthly furniture and appliance collection, also known as bulk waste collection. This service helps residents dispose of items like old furniture, mattresses, and appliances.
Image alt text: Various bulk waste items including a discarded couch and other furniture pieces, set out curbside for scheduled collection in Polk County.
Guidelines for Furniture and Appliance Collection:
- Acceptable Items: Household items not structurally attached to the house are acceptable. No construction debris or materials from evictions or move-outs are collected.
- Placement: Items must be placed curbside, within three feet of the curb and three feet from fixed objects, by 6 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
- Monthly Schedule: Furniture and appliance collection occurs once a month on a pre-set schedule. Use the “Find My Collection Day” tool on the Polk County website to determine your scheduled day.
Holiday Collection Schedule Adjustments
Be aware that residential waste collection schedules are adjusted for the following holidays:
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
During these holiday weeks, collection days are typically shifted by one day, starting with Monday collections moving to Tuesday, and so on. Friday collections are usually moved to Saturday. Always check the Polk County Solid Waste website or contact customer service for the specific holiday schedule each year.
Curbside Pickup Tips for All Service Areas
To ensure successful and trouble-free curbside collection in Polk County, keep these tips in mind:
- Timing: Place all waste curbside the night before or by 6 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
- Clearance: Maintain at least three feet of clearance around roll carts, bundles, yard waste, and bulk waste from fixed objects like mailboxes, vehicles, fences, and utility poles.
- Find Your Schedule: Utilize the Find Your Collection Day tool to confirm your specific collection days for garbage, yard waste, and furniture/appliances based on your location.
Unacceptable Trash Items: What Not to Put Curbside
Certain materials are prohibited from residential waste collection in Polk County due to safety and environmental regulations. Do not place these items in your roll cart or at the curb:
- Hazardous Waste: Household hazardous wastes such as lead-acid batteries, used oil, oil filters, and products labeled toxic, poison, corrosive, or flammable.
- Automotive Parts: Cars, boats, tires, automobile parts, and engines. (While we focus on residential waste, remember that for “polk county pick and pay car parts”, specialized auto recyclers are the appropriate destination.)
- Construction and Land Clearing Debris: Trees, land clearing debris, rocks, large tree remains (trunks, stumps, root systems).
- Other Prohibited Items: Asbestos, radioactive materials, explosives (including propane cylinders), biomedical waste (including sharps/syringes).
If any of these unacceptable items are placed curbside, they will be tagged with a non-collection notice and will not be serviced. Contact (863) 284-4319 for information on proper disposal methods for these materials.
Removal of Non-Conforming Material or Bulk Waste
For items that are not eligible for residential collection, or for larger quantities of waste, Polk County provides a list of licensed commercial haulers. These companies can assist with the removal of non-conforming materials and larger bulk waste.
List of Local Commercial Haulers:
| Company Name | Address | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Waste and Recycling of Central Florida | 481 Thorpe Rd., Orlando, FL 32824 | (407) 905-9200 | [email protected] |
| Florida Rolloff Solutions, LLC | 2144 State Rd 60 W, Lake Wales, FL 3359 | (863) 676-7600 | [email protected] |
| Gateway Rolloff Services, Inc. | 2230 Destiny Way, Orlando, FL 33556 | (727) 849-2288 | [email protected] |
| GFL Environmental, Inc. | 1263 W Landstreet Rd, Orlando, FL 32824 | (407) 843-7990 | [email protected] |
| JJ’s Waste & Recycling | 3905 El Rey Rd, Orlando, FL 32808 | (407) 298-3932 | [email protected] |
| Pouncey Recycling & Sanitation Inc. | 2506 Mine and Mill Lane, Lakeland, FL 33801 | (863) 608-5472 | [email protected] |
| Recycling Services of FL | 3560 126th Ave N, Clearwater, FL 33762 | (312) 942-0042 | [email protected] |
| Republic Services | 3820 Maine Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801 | (863) 669-4826 | www.republicservices.com |
| Roggen Clyne Development | 2840 Security Lane, Lakeland, FL 33803 | (863) 666-1999 | [email protected] |
| Steel Smith | 6809 Scenic Drive, Apollo Beach, FL 33572 | (813) 613-3299 | [email protected] |
| Trash Taxi | 201 E Main Street, Dundee, FL 33838 | (863) 602-1861 | [email protected] |
| Waste Management, Inc. | 3340 US Hwy 92 E, Lakeland, FL 33801 | (866) 909-4458 | [email protected] |
| Waste Pro of Florida, Inc. | 3705 St. Johns Pkwy, Sanford, FL 32771 | (863) 419-7788 | [email protected] |
| Webb’s Can-it | 3007 E Main St., Lakeland, FL 33801 | (863) 581-3203 | [email protected] |
By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, Polk County residents can contribute to an efficient and sustainable waste management system, keeping our communities clean and beautiful. And while this guide focuses on waste, remember to explore other resources for your specific needs, whether it’s finding “polk county pick and pay car parts” or other local services.
