Please do not lean garbage bags or any other items against or place them on top of the bin. All waste must be inside the bin with the lid fully closed.

Bins that are overfilled or obstructed will not be collected.

No, your blue 64-gallon Manatee County recycling bin is only for recyclables. You may use your old garbage can (not the new 96-gallon Big Bin) for yard waste, however! For more information about recycling, please click here.

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

Construction demolition is an open market, and any waste hauler may be used.

Construction demolition can be hauled to the Lena Road Landfill at 3333 Lena Rd., Bradenton.

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.

You can schedule a pickup on your CSS account at mymanatee.org/css.

Report a Missed Garbage Pickup Here

Thanks for reaching out. If you haven’t received a bin yet, please let us know by submitting a 311 service request. You can do this by calling 3-1-1 or submitting a 311 ticket online at mymanatee.org/311 or on the Manatee 311 app. If you’ve already submitted a request, there’s no need to submit another—your information has already been routed to the vendor for delivery.

We appreciate your patience as deliveries continue across the county! 

Arrange materials loosely in the recycling cart. Materials packed too tightly may remain in the recycling cart after it is dumped.

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.

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.

New Weekly Collection Schedule – Effective October 6, 2025

Garbage, yard waste, and recycling is now collected once per week on the same day.

Each material type is picked up separately, but all collections now occur on your designated collection day.

What to Expect:

• One collection day per week

• Three separate pickups: one each for garbage, recycling, and yard waste

• Place all items curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day, following the separation guidelines. 

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 in 2025:

• New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 20

• Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 17

• Memorial Day – Monday, May 26

• Independence Day – Friday, July 4

• Labor Day – Monday, September 1

• Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 27

• Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25

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.

Find Your Garbage and Recycling Collection Days

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.