Trash Talk! Solid Waste Made Simple

January 2026

Start the year off right with a few helpful reminders about solid waste, recycling, and collection services in the City of Lakeland. A little planning goes a long way in keeping our neighborhoods clean and collections running smoothly.

City or County Service?

Solid waste service depends on where you live.

If your trash cart is gray and your recycling cart is black with a yellow lid, your service is provided by Polk County, not the City of Lakeland. County residents should contact Polk County Solid Waste at 863-284-4319.

Yard Waste: Regular & Bulk

Regular Yard Waste

Small branches, limbs, and yard clippings are to be no longer than five feet (5) or five inches (5) in diameter.
Yard waste meeting these size restrictions should be bundled and tied, bagged, or containerized for ease of collection.
Place all loose leaves and grass in containers or bags (bag weight should not exceed 40 pounds).

Bulk Yard Waste

Large branches and excessive yard debris may be scheduled as a bulk pickup.

Branches must be less than 8 feet long
Yard waste should be placed away from vehicles, mailboxes, and overhead lines

Bulk yard waste counts toward your four annual bulk pickups.

Bulk Pickup: Rules for the Curb

City residents receive four free bulk pickups per calendar year, up to 20 cubic yards per pickup.

To schedule a pickup:

Call 863-834-8773, or
Email Customer Service with your address and a description of the items

Bulk items may include:

Furniture, mattresses, and box springs
Appliances (refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed)
Large amounts of yard waste
Dead animals located in the public right-of-way

All bulk items must be placed at the curb, not in alleys or behind fences.

Recycling Guidelines

To keep recycling safe and effective, please remember:

Items must be clean, dry, empty, and loose
Acceptable recyclable items must not be bagged in plastic bags
Set carts out by 6:00am on your collection day
When an item is questionable, it’s best to place it in the trash to avoid contamination.

Rechargeable Batteries

Lithium-Ion (rechargeable) batteries are not acceptable in the garbage or recycling cart. These batteries cause fires in the trucks and processing centers. Instead, drop them off at your nearest battery recycling center.

Dear Lakeland Residents,

As we begin a new year, I want to thank our residents and employees for the care you show our community every day. January is a great time to reset routines, and that includes how we take care of our neighborhoods, our infrastructure, and one another.

This month’s Access highlights important reminders about solid waste and recycling services.

Simple actions like placing items correctly at the curb, recycling the right materials, and knowing when to schedule bulk or hazardous waste pickups help keep Lakeland clean, safe, and efficient. These small steps make a meaningful difference citywide.

January also offers opportunities to reflect and connect. We recently honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., celebrating his enduring message of service, unity, and action. Across Lakeland, residents continue to live out those values by supporting one another and engaging in our community.

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and involved. Your partnership helps us continue building a city we are proud to call home.

Warm regards,

Shawn Sherrouse

City Manager

Holiday Collection Schedule

The next holiday that will affect the pickup schedule is Memorial Day, observed on Monday, May 25, 2026. When service is impacted, collection is typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.

Residents should place carts out on their adjusted collection day and watch for reminders as the holiday approaches.

Quick Reminders

Set carts out by 6:00am on collection day
Keep carts clear of vehicles, mailboxes, and other obstacles
Avoid double parking and street parking if possible, on the day of service

Thank you for helping keep Lakeland clean, safe, and running efficiently this year.

Household Hazardous Waste Event

February 7 | 8:00 a.m. – Noon

Lakeland Solid Waste Facility
(605 Evelyn Ave)

This event is for materials that are flammable, corrosive, toxic, reactive, or combustible and that should not go in regular trash or recycling carts.

Recycling Made Fun

Looking for a fun way to teach kids about waste and recycling?

Check out the City’s solid waste–themed coloring book to learn while you color.

Josephine Street Closure

Beginning January 19, 2026, Josephine Street between Beech Avenue and Southern Avenue will be closed to through traffic as part of the Western Trunk Gravity Sewer Line Project.

Detours will be posted, and residents may experience daytime construction noise. The closure is expected to last approximately two weeks.

Thank you for your patience as this infrastructure improvement moves forward.

Temporary Closure: Coleman-Bush Building

The Coleman-Bush Building will be temporarily closed for scheduled maintenance from Tuesday, January 20 through Saturday, January 25.

During this time, the facility will be unavailable to the public so crews can complete necessary work. Normal operations are expected to resume Sunday, January 26.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Community Spotlight

48th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

The 48th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade took place on Saturday, January 17, 2026 honoring the theme “A Legacy of Strength, A Future of Actions.”

The parade featured more than 100 participants, including community groups, marching bands, floats, and decorated vehicles. If you missed it in person, the full parade broadcast is available to watch online.

Project Updates

Events

Jesus Christ Superstar

February 13–March 1, 2026

📍 Lakeland Community Theatre

This legendary rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber tells the story of the last week of Jesus’ life through a powerful, music-driven perspective, famously exploring the relationships between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, and others through song. The production has captivated audiences for over 50 years and is rated PG.

Performances include Feb. 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and March 1 with a mix of evening and matinee showings.

🎨 Imaginations: The Adventures of “boxboy Jr.” and the Art of Alex Lanier

November 1, 2025 – April 19, 2026

📍 The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art

This playful, immersive exhibition invites visitors of all ages to explore the imaginative world of boxboy Jr. and the creative art of award-winning illustrator and multimedia artist Alex Lanier. The interactive experience celebrates childhood imagination through nostalgic storytelling and multi-sensory artworks.

🎭 Shen Yun

Tuesday, February 3 & Wednesday, February 4, 2026

📍 RP Funding Center Youkey Theatre

Experience Shen Yun, a visually stunning performance celebrating 5,000 years of culture through classical Chinese dance, live orchestral music, and breathtaking costumes. Showtimes are Feb. 3 at 7:30 PM and Feb. 4 at 2:00 PM.