You may request a 64-gallon garbage bin by submitting a Service Request on your Customer Self-Service Portal.
CSS Portal > Request > Solid Waste > Residential Request to Swap Bin Sizes
Report missed service by completing the service request on your Customer Self-Service Portal.
CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Missed Pickups and Complaints
Yard Waste Disposal Guidelines
Bag It
- Use sturdy, compostable paper bags for yard waste.
Bundle It
- If you're not using garbage cans, bundle yard waste.
- Bundles must be 4 feet or shorter in length.
- Branches must be 6 inches or smaller in diameter.
- Any branch larger than 6 inches must be cut in half lengthwise, tied, and bundled.
- Use heavy-duty string to tie bundles.
Can It
- Use a garbage can (not a recycling cart).
- Yard waste must not extend above the top of the can.
- Bundles, bags, or cans must not exceed 50 pounds each.
- Properly prepared yard waste is picked up every Wednesday (except during holiday schedule adjustments).
Bring It
- You may take yard waste to the landfill for a fee.
Extra Yard Waste Removal
- No limit on yard waste if properly bundled nor canned.
- Large amounts of loose yard waste will require an "Extraordinary Service" pickup.
- Fee will be added to your utility bill.
- Residents may also transport yard waste to Lena Road Landfill themselves.
Curbside Material Separation
- Garbage, recycling, and yard waste must be kept separate at the curb. Each category must be a minimum of three feet from the other.
Recycling in Manatee County
Beginning May 1, residents may place up to two same-type items (i.e. washer & dryer) at the curb once per month on their designated zone-based collection day, which will coincide with their regular service day. The collection day schedule will be available on the Resident Information Tool prior to May 1. This provides up to 12 curbside bulk pickups per year, with no rate change.
To ensure the appropriate truck is dispatched, appliances must be scheduled in advance. Scheduling these items does not change your assigned zoned bulk collection day, but helps ensure proper collection. You can schedule a pickup on your Customer Self-Service portal or by calling 311.
CSS Portal > Request > Solid Waste > Bulk or Improperly Prepared
Learn more at the Bulk Collection Pilot Program information page.
You may also take the white goods directly to the landfill for a fee; cars and SUVs are $5, and all other vehicles are $23 up to 1,000 lbs. View current rates by visiting Rates for Solid Waste and Recycling Services.
Waste Wizard: Garbage or Recycling?
Manatee County uses a single-cart system for all household recyclables, requiring no sorting. The "Recycle Right" campaign promotes proper recycling practices to help the community reach its 75% recycling goal.
"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 and can’t be recycled.
If your bin is damaged, you can get it repaired or replaced by submitting a service request on your Customer Self Service portal.
CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Maintenance Request for County Provided Garbage Bin
Each Big Bin is electronically chipped and assigned to your address. If your bin goes missing, we can track and confirm whether it’s at the wrong property. In most cases, bins are simply found nearby and returned.
To help prevent theft or mix-ups:
- Mark your bin with your house number (without covering the county-issued number on the front).
- Bring it back from the curb promptly after collection.
- Keep an eye out for your neighbors, especially those who may need extra help.
If you suspect your bin is missing, call 311. Our team will investigate and make sure you’re not left without service.
Important: Removing or keeping a bin that does not belong to you is considered theft under Florida law.
- According to Florida Statute § 812.014, theft of property valued at $100 or more is classified as petit theft of the first degree, a first-degree misdemeanor, and is an arrestable offense.
- Repeat offenses may be charged as a felony.
Simply put: taking a bin that isn’t yours can lead to arrest and prosecution.
Plastic bags, Styrofoam, electronics, and hazardous waste are not accepted. Rinse all food and beverage containers before recycling.
Use our Waste Wizard tool by clicking here for more information!
Starting May 1, residents can put two (2) bulk items at the curbside for disposal once per month. Residents will have a scheduled bulk collection day, by zone. This information will be available on the Resident Information Tool prior to May 1.
Residents will also be able to schedule one (1) bulk collection once per year via your Customer Self Service Portal or calling 311. Bulk items can take up no more than 10 cubic yards.
Find program specifics for material type, such as tires and white goods, at the Bulk Collection Pilot Program information page.
Weekly garbage collection is limited to the contents of your bin, with the lid closed. If you have extra bulk items that won’t fit, residents can put two (2) bulk items at the curbside for disposal once per month, starting May 1. Residents will have a scheduled bulk collection day, by zone. This information will be available on the Resident Information Tool prior to May 1.
Additionally starting May 1, residents can schedule one (1) bulk collection once per year via your Customer Self Service Portal or calling 311. Bulk items can take up no more than 10 cubic yards. Find program specifics for material type, such as tires and white goods, at the Bulk Collection Pilot Program information page.
CSS Portal > Request > Solid Waste > Bulk or Improperly Prepared
You may also take the excess waste directly to the landfill for a fee; cars and SUVs are $5, and all other vehicles are $23 up to 1,000 lbs. View current rates by visiting Rates for Solid Waste and Recycling Services.
You may keep your old bin for yard waste or other uses. If you’d prefer it be taken away, you can request a bulk pickup for a fee by creating a Service Request on your Customer Self-Service Portal.
CSS Portal > Request > Solid Waste > Bulk Pickup Request
If you do not wish to pay the fee for the pickup you can drop it off at the Lena Rd. Landfill for a fee of $5 for an SUV or sedan, or $23.00 in a pickup truck (under 1,000 lbs.)
If your regular garbage, recycling, or yard waste pickup day falls on a holiday, your collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Regular service resumes the following Monday.
Holidays That May Affect Service:
New Year’s Day
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Example: If your pickup is normally on Thursday and that day is a holiday, your items will be collected on Friday instead. Friday collections move to Saturday. On Monday, the normal schedule resumes.
While we cannot provide a specific timeframe for delivery of the additional requested bins, the franchised haulers are working diligently to get them to your address as quickly as possible.
Recycling Locations and Information
Recycling Cart Guidelines
- The recycling cart is for recyclables only.
- The cart must be placed three feet from the curb and all obstructions, including cars, mailboxes, and garbage cans.
- Position the cart with the arrow facing the street.
- The recycling cart must be at the curb by six a.m.
- Arrange materials loosely inside the cart. Items packed too tightly may not be emptied properly.