Alturas Trash & Recycling Schedule
Official garbage collection rules, bin guidelines, and holiday schedules for residents of Alturas, Florida.
Find Your Exact Pickup Days
Enter your street address on the official collection map to see your specific trash, recycling, and yard waste schedule.
📍 View Official Collection MapService Provider
Polk County Solid Waste
Phone Number
863-284-4319Facility Address
10 Lower Lake Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33880
Collection Schedule
Weekly automated curbside collection for garbage and recycling.
Bin Colors
Black/Green for garbage, Blue for recycling.
Guidelines & Rules
🎄 Holiday Delays
Service is delayed by one day following Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
🛋️ Bulk Waste Pickup
Bulk items must be scheduled or taken to the North Central Landfill.
⚠️ Important Guidelines
Sanitation is tax-billed and managed through the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.
Comprehensive Guide & Details
Polk County Collection Day Rules for Alturas
Tucked into the heart of Central Florida, the rural community of Alturas relies on the Polk County Waste & Recycling Division for dependable sanitation services. Every household is assigned specialized, heavy-duty roll carts designed specifically for the county's automated side-loading garbage trucks. Bins must be rolled to the edge of the pavement by 6:00 a.m. to guarantee collection. Position the cart so the metal lifting bar faces the street, and ensure it sits at least three feet clear of mailboxes, utility poles, and parked cars. Lids must be fully closed to prevent scavenging by raccoons and stray animals.
Rigid Plastics and Cardboard Recycling
Polk County maintains very strict standards for its curbside recycling program to combat facility contamination. Residents of Alturas must only place approved items inside their designated recycling cart. This includes flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, steel tins, and rigid plastic jugs (specifically those shaped like a bottle with a neck smaller than the base). Items such as glass bottles, Styrofoam, and plastic shopping bags are absolutely prohibited. Throwing unapproved trash into the recycling bin will result in a non-collection notice being taped to your cart lid.
Organizing Yard Debris for Pickup
Routine yard maintenance is a necessity in the Florida climate, and Polk County accommodates this by offering routine yard waste removal. However, residents must properly organize the debris before placing it curbside. Tree limbs and thick branches cannot exceed four feet in length and must be securely bundled with twine. Grass clippings, pine needles, and dead leaves should be deposited into personal 32-gallon trash containers or compostable yard bags. Do not use standard plastic garbage bags for green waste, as they interfere with the county's commercial mulching operations.
Handling Massive Furniture and Appliances
Replacing a worn-out mattress or a broken washing machine requires a special disposal procedure. Large bulky items that cannot fit into your standard county roll cart can be placed at the curb, but Alturas residents must notify the Polk County Waste & Recycling office in advance to schedule a heavy-lift truck. Keep in mind that construction debris, such as concrete blocks, roofing shingles, and lumber from major home renovations, are not eligible for residential curbside pickup. Homeowners must haul these materials directly to the North Central Landfill and pay the applicable weight-based tipping fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is trash collected in Alturas?
A: Weekly automated curbside collection for garbage and recycling.
Q: How does the holiday schedule affect garbage pickup?
A: Service is delayed by one day following Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Q: Which bins should I use for trash and recycling?
A: Black/Green for garbage, Blue for recycling.
Q: How can I schedule a bulk waste pickup?
A: Bulk items must be scheduled or taken to the North Central Landfill.
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