Lake County, FL Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Collection service in unincorporated Lake County runs through a county franchise: garbage and recycling collection happen on the same day each week, and yard trash is picked up on a separate day, per § 23-19(a). Section 23-18(d) sets the floor: garbage, recycling and yard trash must each be collected a minimum of one time per week, with a separate system for bulk waste on top of that under § 23-24. Collection is normally scheduled Monday through Friday, though the Solid Waste Division director can approve twice-weekly garbage routes running Monday through Saturday, per § 23-19(c).

Every residential customer gets one garbage cart and one recycling cart from the county under § 23-20(a); the carts stay county property and must be left at the address if a customer moves out, so the new occupant can use them. Carts come in three sizes, 35, 64 and 96 gallons, and the director sets the size initially issued. Customers may swap sizes once for free through April 1, 2015 under § 23-20(b)(2); after that date, a swap costs a fee plus a delivery fee set by Board of County Commissioners resolution, except that trading up to a larger recycling cart stays free.

Customers are responsible for keeping their carts clean and in sanitary condition, and the county repairs or replaces carts damaged through normal use, theft or loss at no charge, but bills the customer for damage caused by intentional or grossly negligent conduct, under § 23-20(c). Bear-resistant carts are available on request, and non-bear-resistant carts holding household garbage must stay secured against bear intrusion until they can go to the curb.