5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Polk County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Polk County collects household trash and yard waste once a week, Monday through Friday, in unincorporated areas. Look up your day on the county's service-days map. When a weekday holiday occurs, collection slides one day later for the rest of that week.
Polk County Solid Waste, Residential Waste guidelines
All residential curbside collection occurs Monday-Friday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. All household waste and routine yard waste should be placed curbside either the night before or by 6 a.m. on your collection day.
Polk County requires the garbage roll cart within 3 feet of the curb or edge of the street, at least 3 feet from other fixed objects, with the lid opening toward the street. All household waste must go inside the cart; no other container is allowed.
Polk County Solid Waste, Residential Waste guidelines
All household waste must be placed inside the garbage roll cart, the garbage roll cart's lid must open to the street, no other container may be used for household waste, and the garbage roll cart must be within 3 feet of the curb or edge of the street and at least 3 feet from other fixed objects.
Polk County collects furniture and appliances (formerly bulk waste) once a month on a pre-set scheduled day for items too large for the roll cart. Residents may also self-haul bulk items, debris, tires and scrap metal to county landfill and transfer facilities.
Polk County Solid Waste, Residential Waste guidelines
Furniture and Appliance collection, formerly known as bulk waste collection, is intended for those items that are too large to fit inside the garbage roll cart. Furniture and appliance collection will take place once a month on a pre-set, scheduled day.
As of Oct. 1, Polk County no longer offers curbside recycling collection in unincorporated areas. Residents may keep using the recycling cart for household or yard waste and drop recyclables at the landfill, which still recycles concrete, yard trash, appliances, scrap metal, electronics and household hazardous waste.
Polk County Solid Waste, Waste Collection Update
Under the new contracts, Polk County no longer offers curbside recycling collection. However, you can continue using your recycling cart for household or yard waste until it's no longer serviceable.
Polk County Code Section 8-143 makes it unlawful to dump litter on public roads, rights-of-way, public lands, or waterways, and on private property without consent. Under Florida's Litter Law (FS 403.413), dumping up to 15 pounds is a $150 civil penalty, with felony charges for large or commercial dumping.
FS 403.413(6)(a)1; Polk County Code Sec. 8-143
any person who dumps litter in violation of subsection (4) in an amount not exceeding 15 pounds in weight or 27 cubic feet in volume and not for commercial purposes commits a noncriminal infraction, punishable by a civil penalty of $150.
2 cities in Polk County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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