Highland City Trash & Recycling Schedule
Official garbage collection rules, bin guidelines, and holiday schedules for residents of Highland City, Florida.
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📍 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 collection of garbage and recycling.
Bin Colors
Black/Green for garbage, Blue for recycling.
Guidelines & Rules
🎄 Holiday Delays
No service on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day; schedule shifts forward.
🛋️ Bulk Waste Pickup
Bulk items must be scheduled or taken to the North Central Landfill.
⚠️ Important Guidelines
Garbage carts must be out by 6:00 AM on the day of service.
Comprehensive Guide & Details
Polk County Curbside Service in Highland City
Residential sanitation for the unincorporated community of Highland City is administered through the Polk County Waste and Recycling Division. Every household is provided with a county-issued, dark-colored roll cart specifically for household garbage. Collection routes begin early, so residents must have their carts placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on their scheduled service day. To accommodate the automated mechanical arms equipped on the collection vehicles, ensure your bin is positioned on level ground with the lid completely closed and the handle facing your residence. A minimum of three feet of clearance from mailboxes, trees, and vehicles is strictly required.
Recycling Right: Guidelines for Residents
Polk County encourages Highland City residents to actively participate in the local curbside recycling program. You will use the separate cart designated for recyclables to discard materials such as flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, steel food containers, and plastic jugs (primarily types 1 and 2). It is absolutely essential to place these items loosely inside the container. Utilizing plastic grocery bags to hold your recyclables is a primary cause of mechanical jams at the regional sorting facility. Additionally, glass bottles and jars are excluded from the curbside program and should be safely disposed of in your regular trash bin.
Managing Yard Debris and Branches
Keeping your lawn manicured produces a steady amount of organic waste. The county provides a dedicated weekly pickup specifically for yard trimmings. Grass clippings, leaves, and small twigs should be contained within your own personal 32-gallon trash cans or heavy-duty yard waste bags. If you are pruning trees, all limbs must be cut to lengths not exceeding three feet and tied securely into manageable bundles. Sanitation workers are subject to strict occupational safety regulations, meaning any individual bag, can, or bundle that exceeds the 30-pound weight limit will be left at the curb uncollected.
Oversized Furniture and Appliance Protocols
Eventually, every homeowner needs to discard large items like broken washing machines, old mattresses, or dilapidated couches. Highland City residents can take advantage of the county's bulk item collection service. While routine bulk items are typically collected once a month on a pre-scheduled day, appliances containing refrigerants require special attention. White goods, such as old refrigerators and window AC units, must have their freon professionally removed and the doors completely detached before they can be placed curbside. You must contact the county’s contracted hauler directly to coordinate the safe removal of these specific items.
Accessing the North Central Landfill
When a major renovation project yields massive amounts of construction debris or you need to dispose of highly toxic chemicals, standard curbside pickup is insufficient. Residents can utilize the Polk County North Central Landfill, located just a short drive away in Winter Haven. This expansive facility accepts heavy construction demolition waste subject to a standard weigh-station tipping fee. More importantly, it features a specialized household hazardous waste drop-off zone. Here, you can safely surrender dangerous substances like pool chlorine, wet latex paint, used motor oil, and lithium batteries entirely free of charge, protecting the local aquifer from contamination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is trash collected in Highland City?
A: Weekly automated collection of garbage and recycling.
Q: How does the holiday schedule affect garbage pickup?
A: No service on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day; schedule shifts forward.
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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