Solid Waste Division

This department is responsible for the collection and disposal of both residential and commercial (small generators only) solid waste.  Residential solid waste is collected once or twice weekly depending on location.  A holiday schedule with route changes is also available at this site.

CURBSIDE RECYCLING COMING

Curbside recycling for all residential solid waste customers will begin October 1st, 2010.  Collection day will be every Tuesday.  Recycling container delivery will start during the week of September 7th, 2010.  Monthly rate for collection will be $2.28.  For more information call 863-965-5511

2010 SOLID WASTE COLLECTION - HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Commercial collection is determined by the amount of solid waste generated by each individual business.

 YARD TRASH:  Bagged grass, leaves and small piles of clippings are collected weekly on Wednesdays, (Unless route changes occur due to holidays).  Tree trimmings, furniture, construction/demolition materials, appliances and tires are collected on an as can serve basis with no scheduled day.  There is an additional charge for collection of these items.  Call  965-5511 for rates.  All items must be separated and placed at curbside.  DO NOT place items under power/phone lines, over water meters, sprinklers, next to mailboxes, vehicles, or fences.

Tree trimmings under 24 inches in diameter may be cut in lengths not to exceed 48 inches.  

Tree limbs exceeding 24 inches in diameter must be cut in lengths not to exceed 24 inches.

RECYCLING:  Recycling bins are available for use at Public Works located at 915 Charles Avenue.

Materials accepted are: magazines, newspaper, cardboard, steel cans, aluminum cans, glass, plastic, and telephone books.

OIL/ANTI-FREEZE:  Used Motor oil, antifreeze and automotive batteries may be brought to the Public Works Department located at 915 Charles Ave.   Monday thru Friday   7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.   This is for residential customers only.

 HAZARDOUS WASTE:  No hazardous waste is collected or taken for disposal by this department.  These items should not be placed in containers at curbside for collection. Polk County Solid Waste operates a Household Hazardous Waste Collection site.  Call 284-4319 for information about site hours and location.  Examples of hazardous waste but not limited to are:  pesticides, fertilizers, paint, household chemicals, propane tanks and fuels.

Storm Water Division  

Storm water and storm water management deals with both water quantity and water quality.  Public Works is responsible for maintaining water quality by performing routine maintenance of canals, catch basins, storm-pipes, roadway swales and ditches.  Any problems associated with flooding or drainage should be reported to the Public Works Department.

Storm water quality is a responsibility of both the city and its residents.  Our lakes are a very valuable resource.  The lakes are home to many wading birds, otters, alligators, turtles and fish.  They also offer many recreational uses.

The city tries to protect our water quality through practices to keep pollutants from entering into our lakes by street sweeping and litter control.  Routine inspections of industrial facilities throughout the city help to prevent and detect any illicit discharges.

Residents can also help by using caution and care when applying fertilizers and insecticides to their lawns.  When doing lawn maintenance by not blowing grass or leaves into the roadways to be carried to our lakes by storm-water.

Residents are encouraged to use xeriscaping and landscaping with Florida native plants.  Information may be obtained through the Florida Yards and Neighborhood Program, administered by the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Services or the Polk County Office in Bartow. 

Contact number for the Bartow Office is 863-519-8677 or online at Florida Yards and Neighborhoods.

Illegal discharges or dumping also causes pollution to our lakes.  Citizens are urged to call the Public Works Department , 965-5511 if they see or suspect that illegal dumping or discharging is occurring to our lakes or to our storm-water system.

City of Auburndale

915 Charles Ave.

965-5511