Solid Waste FAQs

Homeowners can fill out the lease application and pay a one-time fee of $67 to lease a second garbage cart.  You will need the property’s parcel number, which can be found on your tax bill, or you can find it by searching for your address on polkpa.org. If the cart is damaged or goes missing, it will be replaced free of charge.  The cart does not transfer to the new owner if the home is sold.

There are 3 options for submitting your lease agreement:

• Option 1: Download and complete the lease application, submit your payment of $67 (a $2.50 Convenience Fee is automatically added) and email the application to polkwastewise@polk-county.net with the subject line: “Second Cart Lease Application – (your address)”.  Your ticket number is the parcel number used on the lease application.
• Option 2: Mail your lease application to the Solid Waste Administrative Office (address below) along with the payment by money order or check.  Make check payable to Polk BOCC.
• Option 3: Visit the Solid Waste Administrative Office to complete the form and pay in person by check, money order, debit/credit card or by cash.

The Solid Waste Administrative Office is located at the following address:

Solid Waste Administrative Office
Attn: Additional Garbage Cart
10 Environmental Loop S.
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Residents may call our customer care representatives at (863) 284-4319 to schedule the pick-up of their cart, they may bring it to the Polk County Solid Waste administrative office, 10 Environmental Loop S. in Winter Haven or they can submit a request online. Roll carts are non-transferable as each has a RFID number that is linked to each resident’s property.

Collection days may be found by visiting our service days map. Residents may also call our Solid Waste office at (863) 284-4319.

• Plastics: Recycle plastics #1, #2 and #5. Look for the number on the inside of the recycling arrows
• Metal Cans: Steel, tin, bi-metal and aluminum
• Cardboard, Newspaper and Magazines: e.g. newspaper inserts, catalogs, paperback books, phone books and brochures
• Paper Food Containers and Cartons: e.g. juice boxes; egg, ice cream and milk cartons; and cereal and pasta boxes
• Paper: e.g. envelopes, office paper, junk mail, greeting cards and file folders. Shredded paper should be put in a paper bag.
• Glass: Recycle clear, brown and green bottles and jars

Keeping recyclable materials empty, clean and dry as well as free of grease, soil and residue is the best way to ensure success. Avoid including items that can contaminate the drop-off containers. Only those items listed should be placed in the recyclable materials containers. Items not listed above should be placed in your household waste cart.

Plastic materials (packaging) are evolving rapidly. With so many types of plastics, many do not blend effectively with one another in the re-manufacturing process of new packaging or product. For this reason, Polk County limits its collection to products that have the longest environmental and economic value, such as milk jugs.