Garbage & Recycling FAQs


General Garbage FAQs

What are my garbage service days?

Garbage Pickup Schedule
Residential household waste is collected twice per week: either every Monday/Thursday, or Tuesday/Friday. Use our Resident Information Tool or view the map to determine your garbage collection days.

Recycling Pickup Schedule
Curbside collection of recycling items is once a week. Each residence is issued one (1) container to be used for recycling: for paper, cardboard, cans, glass, plastic, etc.  Use our Resident Information Tool or view the map for your scheduled pickup day.

For additional information, including what materials will be collected, please go to the Recycling page.

Yard Waste Pickup Schedule
All Yard Waste is picked up on Wednesdays. Properly prepared Yard Waste placed not more than three (3) feet from the curb or road will be collected once a week between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

 

What time is my garbage pickup?

Your waste must be placed in one location, not more than three feet from the curb or road, before 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Residential collection can be anytime between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

 

My garbage men did not pickup my Garbage/Yard Waste/Recycling. Who do I call?

 

How do I get or replace my recycle cart?

 

What is Household Hazardous Waste?

Hazardous Waste must not be placed at curbside. Residents may dispose of solvents, paint, used oil, pesticides, household chemicals, ammunition and other Household Hazardous Waste for free at the Lena Road Landfill on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and every third Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

What size garbage can should I be using?

  • Waste must be contained in water tight plastic bags at least 1.5 mil thick, or cans of 32 gallon capacity.
  • The total weight must not exceed 50 pounds.
  • Cardboard boxes are not suitable containers. Empty cardboard boxes will be removed if they are broken down and bundled.
  • Please do not place household waste or Yard Waste inside the blue recycling bins.
  • Your waste must be placed in one location, not more than three (3) feet from the curb or road, before 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection.
  • Residential collection can be anytime between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

 

How do I schedule a pickup for white goods (i.e. refrigerator/stove/washer) or E-Scrap?

How do I schedule a pickup for tires?

Two tires may be placed at the curb with your garbage. More than two tires require a special pickup, which may be requested by calling Manatee County Customer Service at:

Do I need to schedule a special pickup for furniture (i.e. couch/chair/mattress)?

Furniture is categorized as "special items", and can be placed out with the regular garbage, free of charge for customers with Residential Curbside Pickup service. However, please do not exceed two items per collection day.

 

Do I need to schedule a special pickup for E-Scrap?

E-Scrap can be placed at the curb for a fee per pick up.  Please call Manatee County Customer Service at:

Residents may bring their E-Scrap (NO HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE) to the Landfill every Mon.-Sat. from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This service is free but you must go over the scales to declare your E-Scrap. Manatee County businesses wishing to dispose of large amounts of E-Scrap materials should call (941) 708-8561 for more information.

Single Stream FAQ

Where do all of my recyclables go?

Once collected from your curb, anything that is picked up becomes the property and responsibility of the waste haulers. Your recyclables are taken to the sorting facilities owned by Waste Management or Waste Pro for processing and recycling.

What does “Recycle All Together – Recycle Right!” mean?

With no sorting required, your household recyclables are placed all together into the same cart. In addition, we as a community will ‘Recycle All Together’ to reach the 75% goal and create a more sustainable Manatee County. ‘Recycle Right’ is the national campaign initiative created to improve recycling education and awareness. It specifically details the right way to recycle and emphasizes what items can/can’t be recycled.

Special Waste FAQs

What are white goods?

White goods are large appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, dryers, stoves, freezers, water heaters and pool heaters. The state has banned all of the above from the landfills.

 

 

How do I schedule a pickup for white goods (i.e. refrigerator/stove/washer) or E-Scrap?

Please call Manatee County Customer Service at:

 

 

How do I dispose of my old TV?

Prior arrangements must be made before placing a TV at the curb:

  2. Call to speak to a customer service representative for details to schedule a special pickup. You may use your one “free annual” option or pay a fee for this service.
  3. Residents may bring their E-Scrap (NO HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE) to the Landfill every Mon.-Sat. from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This service is free but you must go over the scales to declare your E-Scrap.
  4. Check with your local thrift store to see if they are accepting donations of working TVs.

 

 

What is Household Hazardous Waste?

Hazardous Waste must not be placed at curbside. Residents may dispose of solvents, paint, used oil, pesticides, household chemicals, ammunition and other Household Hazardous Waste for free at the Lena Road Landfill on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and every third Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

 

How can I dispose of Household Hazardous Waste?

Manatee County offers FREE Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) service to residents. HHW is unwanted household products labeled as flammable, toxic, corrosive, dangerous, warning, or caution. You may take your HHW to the Lena Road Landfill, on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and every third Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Collected materials include used motor oil and filters, antifreeze, car batteries, propane tanks, transmission fluid, brake fluid, pesticides, adhesives, herbicides, fertilizers, household chemicals, oil and latex paint, paint thinner, fluorescent lamps, ammunition, flares and fire extinguishers. Please do not dispose of any of the above with your regular trash. The hauler will not pick them up.

 

 

How do I dispose of motor oil?

Motor Oil is classified as hazardous waste. Manatee County offers FREE Household Hazardous Wasteservice to residents. You may take your Motor Oil to the Lena Road Landfill, on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and every third Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

 

What is E-Scrap?

The term “E-Scrap” is applied to consumer electronic equipment that is no longer wanted. Many components in electronic equipment contain hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic.

 

 

How can I dispose of E-Scrap?

Residential E-Scrap can be placed at the curb for a fee.  Please call Manatee County Customer Service to schedule a pickup. 

There is no fee if you bring your E-scrap materials to the Lena Road Landfill on Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and every third Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Manatee County businesses wishing to dispose of large amounts of E-scrap materials should call (941) 708-8561 for more information.

 

 

How can I dispose of construction demolition?

Below are the options for disposal of construction demolition for unincorporated Manatee County residents.

  • Properly prepared* residential construction demolition may be placed at the curb on your regularly scheduled garbage pickup day.
  • Residents may have a roll off box delivered to the site.  Construction demolition is an open market, and any waste hauler may be used.  Consult your local yellow pages. 
  • Construction demolition can be hauled to the Lena Road Landfill.

*Properly Prepared:  Bags or 32 gallon cans less than 50 lbs., not protruding from the container, or tied and bundled, less than 4ft and under 50lbs.

 

 

How do I dispose of cardboard?

Recycling drop-off locations are for Manatee County residents only.

If your condo complex, RV park or other multi-family residence does not offer recycling service, or if your recyclables are too large for your recycle cart, you may drop recyclable items off at the following locations:

RECYCLING SITES (Click on location for a map):


These locations are for recycling materials only. No other materials will be accepted. All cardboard must be clean, broken down or flattened to be recycled.

 

To recycle cardboard boxes at home:

  • Break down the small boxes and place them in your recycle cart.
  • The boxes must be loose fitting in the cart.
  • They may not extend over the top of the bin more than six (6) inches.

When you must dispose of cardboard as garbage:

  • Collapse or flatten the boxes. 
  • Tie and bundle the boxes with heavy string; the bundle should not weigh more than 50lbs. 
  • If wardrobe boxes are too large to flatten, put them at curb, whole, but totally empty. 
  • Any packing material must be placed in a large plastic trash bag.
  • Both boxes and packing must be placed at the curb on your regular household garbage day.

 

 

Yard Waste FAQs

What are my yard waste collection days?

All Yard Waste is picked up on Wednesdays. Yard waste placed not more than three feet from the road or curb will be collected once a week between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

My yard waste didn't get picked up. Who do I call?

How do I properly prepare my yard waste?

BAG IT:
  • You must use sturdy garbage bags.

BUNDLE IT:

  • If you do not wish to use garbage cans or garbage bags, you must put yard waste in bundles no longer than four (4) feet in length.  
  • Bundles cannot contain branches larger than six (6) inches in diameter. Any branch larger than six (6) inches in diameter must be cut in half lengthwise, tied and bundled.
  • Tie bundles with heavy-duty string.

CAN IT:

  • Yard waste must be in a 32-gallon garbage cans (not recycling cart). Yard waste must not extend above the top of the can.

Bundles, bags or 32-gallon garbage cans must not weigh more than 50 pounds each.
All properly prepared yard waste is picked up on Wednesday. (Except for holiday make-up schedules)

LANDFILL:

  • You may also take your yard waste to the landfill for a fee.

FREE ANNUAL:

  • Free Annual / Special Pick-up: Each residential address located in unincorporated Manatee County can utilize one (1) collection per year for solid waste at no additional cost. You can use this service for the collection of more than two (2) large items, too much yard waste to bundle, e-scrap and white goods at the curb. Additional special pick-ups are available for an additional service fee.
  • To see if you qualify for a free annual, please call customer services at 941-792-8811.
  • One per year (Oct. 1st - Sept. 30th) per residential address.
  • There is a 60 cubic yard limit (L 40' x W 8' x H 6')

There is no limit on the amount of yard waste that can be picked up, as long as it is bundled, bagged or canned and placed out properly. The removal of large amounts of loose yard waste is not part of the residential collection service charge and is considered an "Extraordinary Service."  If you choose to have the hauler pick up your loose yard waste, please call customer service at 941-792-8811 to arrange a pickup. This Extraordinary Service will be charged on your next utility bill. Residents may also elect to take the yard waste to the Lena Road Landfill in their own vehicle. 

Separating Materials at the Curb
Curbside pick-up service includes garbage, recycling and yard waste. Please remember to keep all three separated by appropriate types at the curb. When utilizing your one free annual or large pick-up, all materials must be properly separated to ensure prompt service.

Recycle Vendor List for Commercial Customers

Recycle Vendor List for Commercial Customers