Junk removal in Lakeland, FL.

Lakeland, Florida provides 4 free bulk junk collections and 4 free yard waste collections per year, each up to 20 cubic yards, by appointment through the City’s Solid Waste Division. This is notably generous capacity for a city this size. You must call or email to schedule, not just set items at the curb. Important: City of Lakeland service is for city-limits residents only. If your garbage can is gray and your recycle can is black, you are a Polk County customer, not a City of Lakeland customer. This guide covers every option for City of Lakeland residents.

Free options at a glance

Lakeland is unusually generous on bulk waste capacity for a Florida city this size. The city provides 4 free bulk junk collections per year and 4 free yard waste collections per year, each up to 20 cubic yards. The catch is the cart-color test: blue or green carts mean City of Lakeland service; gray with black means Polk County. Below are the options most residents qualify for.

Bulk junk collection (4/year, up to 20 cu yd)

City of Lakeland residents receive 4 free bulk junk collections per calendar year, each up to 20 cubic yards. A separate 4 free yard waste collections per year (also up to 20 cu yd each) are provided. You must schedule before placing items at the curb.

Schedule: Call (863) 834-8773 or email SolidWasteManagement@lakelandgov.net. Include your address and the type of material you have for collection.

Accepted: Mattresses, furniture, large appliances, and other bulky household items that don’t fit in the trash cart.

Small amounts of homeowner renovation debris are accepted (e.g., a small amount of lumber from a repair). However, if your project requires a permit or a private contractor performed the work, the contractor is responsible for debris removal.

Additional collections beyond the 4 free: $13.81 per cubic yard, minimum $30.66 charge per additional collection (effective October 1, 2025).

Carts out by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. Place cart with lid opening toward the street and handle toward your home.

City limits vs. Polk County

This is the most common source of confusion in the Lakeland area. How to tell which service you receive:

· City of Lakeland customer: Your garbage cart is blue or green. Call (863) 834-8773 for all service questions.

· Polk County customer: Your garbage cart is gray and your recycle cart is black. You are NOT served by the City of Lakeland. Contact Polk County Solid Waste at (863) 284-4319 for your rules and bulk pickup options.

Regular trash and recycling

City of Lakeland provides weekly trash and recycling collection. Place cart curbside by 6:00 AM on your collection day. Contact (863) 834-8773 or email SolidWasteManagement@lakelandgov.net for your specific collection day or service issues.

Holiday schedule: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas cause collection day shifts. When a holiday falls on your collection day, check the holiday schedule at lakelandgov.net.

HHW: Contact Polk County Environmental Services for HHW disposal options, as Lakeland’s program is managed at the county level.

Donation programs

Paid options

By item type

Reporting illegal dumping in Lakeland

Contact the city to report illegal dumping: call (863) 834-8773 or email SolidWasteManagement@lakelandgov.net. For Polk County areas, contact Polk County Code Enforcement. For Florida state violations, contact FDEP. For active dumping in progress, call the local police non-emergency line.

Photos with timestamps and license plate numbers significantly improve enforcement outcomes. See our complete illegal dumping guide for state penalty information and reporting best practices.

Common questions