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.

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

No, plastic bags of any kind are no longer accepted for yard waste. Yard waste must be in bins, tied bundles of 4 feet or less in length (with branches 6 inches or less in diameter), or compostable paper lawn-and-leaf bags. The weight limit is 40 pounds per item at unlimited 40-pound increments. Yard waste cannot be collected if it is not properly disposed of. Do not place yard waste in your county-provided garbage or recycling bins. You may repurpose your old garbage can for your yard waste.

*Please note: Compostable plastic bags are NOT able to be accepted - only compostable paper bags specifically for lawn-and-leaf collection can 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.

Manatee County offers FREE Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) service to Manatee County residents only. 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 - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and every third Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please do not dispose of any of the above with your regular trash. The hauler will not pick them up. Click here to visit the Electronic Scrap and Household Hazardous Waste page.

Report missed service by completing the service request on your Customer Self-Service Portal. 

CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Missed Pickups and Complaints

 

Report missed service by completing the  Missed Collection Reporting Form the next business day.

 

Recycling drop-off locations are for Manatee County residents only and accept recyclables that cannot fit in your cart or if your residence lacks recycling service. Sites include parks and public areas like GT Bray Park, Braden River Park, and Coquina Beach. Only recyclable materials are accepted, and all cardboard must be clean, flattened, and properly prepared before dropping off or curbside collection.

 

Beginning May 1, residents can put two (2) bulk items at the curbside for disposal once per month on their designated day. Residents will have a scheduled bulk collection day, by zone. This information will be available on the Resident Information Tool prior to May 1.

 

Also starting May 1, residents can schedule one (1) bulk collection once per year via their 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.

You may also take the bulk items 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.

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

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.

To recycle cardboard boxes at home, break them down and place them in your recycling cart. The boxes must be loose-fitting in the cart. The lid to your cart must close.

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.

Yard waste is limited to 40 pounds per item at unlimited 40-pound increments. Branches larger than 6" in diameter must be split to 6" or smaller. Branches must be under 4 feet in length. This is an employee limitation to keep them safe. 

Place carts 3 feet from the curb and keep them at least 3 feet from cars, mailboxes, meters/backflow assemblies, yard waste, and any other obstruction.

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.

Report a Missed Garbage Pickup Here

Unincorporated Manatee County offers the "Waste Wizard" tool for solid waste and recycling look-up. You can also sign up for Household Hazardous & Electronic Scrap collection reminders via email, phone, or text. Visit our Waste Wizard tool for details.

Keep textiles out of landfills by donating, selling, or repurposing them. Drop off clean clothing, shoes, accessories, and linens at the blue textile box at Lena Road Landfill (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). You can also donate to thrift stores, trade online, or share with friends and family.

Residential household waste, recycling, and yard waste are all collected on one service day. Use our Resident Information Tool to find your specific pickup day.

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.

Waste Wizard: Garbage or Recycling?

Manatee County uses single-stream recycling. All recyclable, clean, cardboard, paper, glass, and plastic are put together in the recycling cart. 

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

View the PDF Recycling Do's & Don'ts by clicking here, or visit  Recycle Together, Recycle Right! for additional information about recycling in Manatee County. 

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.

Residents may request an additional 96-gallon or 64-gallon garbage bin on your Customer Self-Service Portal. Each additional bin carries a monthly service fee of $13.32. Please note that all additional bins require a one-year service commitment.

CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Residential Request for Additional 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.

E-Scrap refers to consumer electronic devices that are no longer wanted or needed, such as computers and other similar gadgets. It's important to note that many of these devices contain hazardous materials like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, which require careful handling and proper disposal.

Look up your collection days with our Resident Information Tool or use the Interactive Map.

Garbage, recycling, and yard waste are all collected on one day per week. Look up your collection days with our Resident Information Tool or use the Interactive Map.

Manatee County accepts paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, steel cans, and plastic bottles for recycling.
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.

Curbside collection of recycling items is once a week. Use our Resident Information Tool to find your scheduled pickup day.

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.)

Pickup may occur anytime between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Place your waste in one location, no more than 3 (three) feet from the curb or road, before 6:00 a.m., on your scheduled collection day. 

Manatee County residents can drop off their household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronic scrap (e-Scrap) on the third Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Lena Road Landfill free of charge.

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.

Find Your Garbage and Recycling Collection Days

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 material recycling facility (MRF) for processing and recycling.

If your condo complex, RV park, or multi-family residence does not offer recycling or if your recyclables are too large for the recycling cart, you may drop them off. Find a list of recycling drop-off locations here: 

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.