Solid Waste

Solid Waste New Garbage Cart and Debris/ Waste Pickup Procedures per ordinance 09-2022

Flyer

  • Your cart will be picked up at curbside on your regularly scheduled pickup days.
  • Carts should be set out prior to 6:30 a.m. on your scheduled pickup days.
  • Make sure the cart handle and wheels are facing your house and the lid opening faces the street.
  • The cart lid must be closed and not overflowing. The cart shall not weigh more than 150 pounds.
  • DO NOT set out any other containers or bags. Items outside of or on the cart will NOT be collected.
  • Place all carts for curbside collection a maximum of three (3) feet away from the street and a minimum of three (3) feet away from other objects including: mailboxes, trees, electric poles, parked cars, and other garbage carts, etc.
  • On the same day, after service, all carts must be removed from the curb.
  • Each cart provided to you is stamped with a serial number that is assigned specifically to your address. The city uses the serial number to track your cart.
  • The carts stay with the address. Do not take the cart from the premises when/if you move.
  • Do not permanently mark or deface carts.
  • Additional cart(s) can be purchased for additional cost.
  • Periodic cleaning of the cart is advised.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL NOT BE COLLECTED:

  • Solid waste generated from commercial property or from industrial processes.
  • Land clearing debris, excavated fill, and earthen material.
  • Yard waste generated by a commercial lawn care company, plant nursery or farming operations.
  • Roofing material that is generated, collected and/or transported by a roofing company.
  • Construction and demolition debris; including, but not limited to, steel, glass, brick, concrete, asphalt, roofing material, pipe, gypsum wallboard and lumber from the construction or destruction of a structure as part of a construction or demolition project, etc.
  • Wrecked, scrapped, ruined, or dismantled motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts including oil, tires, and batteries, etc.
  • Boats, boat motors and boat trailers.

COMMON REASONS FOR MISSED COLLECTIONS:

  • Cart is not set out according to the above guidelines.
  • Cart is set out late for collection.
  • Trash has been placed outside of or on the cart, or the cart is overflowing.
  • Cart contains unacceptable materials.

CART DAMAGE, REPLACEMENT, EXCHANGE, OR ADDITIONAL CART:

  • Each household is provided with a standard 96-gallon cart. To exchange your standard 96-gallon cart for a smaller 65-gallon or 35-gallon cart, call 863-249-0018. Please note the city will do a one-time cart exchange at no cost; any additional exchanges will result in a charge.
  • If your garbage cart is damaged in the collection process, call 863-249-0018 and the city will repair or replace your cart free of charge.
  • If your cart is lost or damaged because of misuse, modification, or placement of unacceptable materials, you will be responsible for purchasing a replacement cart.
  • If your cart is stolen, call the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency number 863-402-7200) to report it stolen and obtain an incident report number to provide to the city.

NEW - YARD DEBRIS:

  • Yard debris will be picked up every other week on the first day of your garbage collection.
  • Small yard debris that cannot be bundled such as grass clippings, leaves, small clippings, etc. must be bagged or placed in a garbage container other than a city garbage cart. Tree trimmings shall not exceed 40 pounds in weight, five (5) inches in diameter, or five (5) feet in length, and shall be tied and bundled or containerized not to exceed 40 pounds. The maximum amount that can be put out is 2 cubic yards (a pile about 6 feet long x 3 feet deep x 3 feet high).
  • Any yard debris material more than 40 pounds, five (5) inches in diameter, or five (5) feet in length shall be removed from the residential property and disposed of by the customer.
  • Yard materials must be generated from the residential property where it is being picked up from.
  • Please do not allow commercial lawn maintenance companies, professional tree trimmers, arborists, landscapers, etc., to leave yard waste curbside. These companies MUST haul away their generated debris in a lawful manner, per City Ordinance No. 09-2022.
  • Yard debris must not be commingled with other waste. If it is, it will not be picked up.

NEW - BULK WASTE: Means household waste that does not fit within the garbage carts, and household items such as couches, chairs, coffee table, bed frame, rolled-up carpet, or toilets and more that are too large to fit in the provided cart. Extra garbage bags are NOT considered bulk waste.

  • Bulk waste will be picked up every other week on the second day of your garbage collection. The maximum amount that can be put out is 2 cubic yards (a pile about 6 feet long x 3 feet deep x 3 feet high). Only bulk waste generated from the same residential or commercial address may be placed curbside.

NEW - USED TIRES:

  • No more than four (4) automobile or light truck tires per year, from residential addresses only, and by appointment only. For pickup of tires, call 863-249-0018.

NEW – WHITE GOODS:  Means refrigerators, ranges, washers, dryers, water heaters, dishwashers, and other similar domestic and commercial appliances. ONLY items generated from the customer’s residence will be picked up.

  • No more than two (2) white goods/appliances in a calendar year, and no more than one white good/appliance of the same type. To schedule a pickup of white goods/appliances, call 863-249-0018.