Recycling in Lakeland, FL

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Polk County Solid Waste Division
  • Household chemical and electronic waste from Polk County residents is accepted at no additional fee at the HHW facility at the North Central Landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses, nonprofits and other non-household entities are not eligible. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Paint goes to an HHW drop-off area, limit 20 gallons a year. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Old car batteries can be brought to the HHW facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Alkaline batteries can go in the garbage; rechargeable batteries need to be recycled. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • E-waste such as computers, monitors, printers and televisions can be dropped off at the HHW facility; limit five components per visit. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Polk County Landfill and Transfer Station (opens in new tab) · Polk County Solid Waste Division
  • The NCTS is open only to Polk County residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • All incoming loads are subject to a $10 minimum fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • White goods (refrigerators/freezers and A/C units) are $27.50 per ton without Freon and $50 with Freon; refrigerators and freezers must be empty. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Standard passenger tires $300 per ton, no more than 24 per visit, residents only. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Scrap metals $27.50 per ton. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Fee schedule rates are per ton. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Large Bulk Pickups (opens in new tab) · City of Lakeland Solid Waste Management Division
  • Customers get four free yard waste or bulk junk collections, up to 20 cubic yards each, per calendar year. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Used furniture, mattresses, box springs, bed frames, couches and chairs may be placed curbside for bulk junk collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Used refrigerators, air conditioners, water heaters, washers, dryers and small appliances are collected by a special bulk truck for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The city services customers inside Lakeland city limits; Polk County customers are not serviced by the city. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Rates (opens in new tab) · City of Lakeland Solid Waste Management Division
  • Bulk collections beyond four free per calendar year cost $13.81 per cubic yard with a $30.66 minimum. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Automated recycling collection is $3.60 per month per 65- or 35-gallon container. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · City of Lakeland Solid Waste Management Division
  • Residential customers can put 4 automotive tires per calendar year at the curb at no charge; tires are also collected free at the HHW collection event. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Acceptable/Unacceptable Materials (opens in new tab) · City of Lakeland Solid Waste Management Division
  • Paper and cardboard are acceptable in the blue recycling cart. Checked October 26, 2026.
• ReStore FAQs (opens in new tab) · Lakeland Habitat for Humanity
  • ReStore at 1317 George Jenkins Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33815-1367; phone (863) 688-4660. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Support the ReStore (opens in new tab) · Lakeland Habitat for Humanity
  • Used items must be in good, working condition; donations accepted during store hours or by scheduled pick-up. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Florida Statutes 403.708: Prohibition; penalty (landfill disposal bans) (opens in new tab) · The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
  • Lead-acid batteries may not be disposed of in landfills or in any waste-to-energy facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Everyone who sells lead-acid batteries at retail must accept used lead-acid batteries as trade-ins for new lead-acid batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Florida Statutes 403.717: Waste tire and lead-acid battery requirements (opens in new tab) · The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
  • For these rules a lead-acid battery is one designed for motor vehicles, vessels and aircraft. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Florida DEP: Battery Fact Sheet / Homeowner's Guide to Battery Recycling and Disposal (PDF, 2024) (opens in new tab) · Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP fact sheet: retailers are required to take back wet cell lead-acid batteries (autos, boats, trucks) for recycling as trade-ins for new batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Under state law and regulations, alkaline batteries may go in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DEP recommends taping each battery's terminals (or the whole battery) with non-conductive tape such as electrical tape. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Florida DEP: Take Charge Florida (opens in new tab) · Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  • Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at major retailers such as Lowe's, Best Buy and The Home Depot that take part in Call2Recycle. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Call2Recycle is free to residents and accepts lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and nickel-zinc batteries plus small lead-acid batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Single-use batteries up to 11 pounds (AA, AAA, 9V, C, D, button cells) and small lead-acid batteries are taken only at limited participating retail locations. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Florida DEP: Waste Reduction (opens in new tab) · Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP: a convenient and free rechargeable battery recycling system is available to every resident and every business, institution and government facility in Florida. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Florida DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP points residents to the Call2Recycle locator or 1-877-2RECYCLE for rechargeable battery and cell phone drop-off locations. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.