Stuff The Can, Lakeland: City Gives Tips To Keep Less Clutter By Residential Garbage Carts

LAKELAND, FL — If you're getting ready to throw away large bulk items, the city of Lakeland reminds residents that solid waste crews offer four bulk collections, up to 20 cubic yards each, per calendar year.

If you need to schedule a bulk pickup before the end of the year, you can schedule it with customer service at solidwastemanagement@lakelandgov.net with your address and the tupe of material you have for collection. Customers can also call 863-834-8773 to schedule a pickup.

The city is also asking residents during the weekly residential garbage collection to place all items inside your garbage cart. They ask that garbage bags or smaller loose items be stuffed inside the cart with your garbage items instead of leaving them outside the cart. Solid Waste said it doesn't mind if the cart's lid is open or not completely closed because of the large quantity of garbage that is generated around the holidays.

Customers Are Asked By The City To Follow A Few Simple Steps When Placing Their Garbage Out For Collection

1. Stuff the Can – place all garbage inside the cart.
2. Place cart curbside no later than 6 a.m. on your collection day.
3. Place the cart curbside with the red arrow on the lid pointing toward the street.
4. Keep carts at least three feet away from other carts, mailboxes, fire hydrants, low-hanging trees or shrubs, parked cars, and utility poles so trucks can easily access the cart.

The Way To Handle Recycling Items, According To Solid Waste Department

• Don't load garbage containers with recyclable items, yard waste, household hazardous waste, medical waste or liquid paint.
• Recycling is picked up on the same day as your garbage collection.
• Keep plastic bags out of your recycling cart.
• Remember to flatten all cardboard boxes and stuff your recycling cart full as well.

Yard Waste Guidelines, According To Gene Ginn, Manager of Solid Waste

• Yard waste is collected separately form trash and recycled materials.
• Yard waste must be bagged or bundled.
• Large branches need to be no longer than five feet and must be smaller than five inches in diameter.
• Bundled and bagged yard waste must not exceed 40 pounds in weight.
• Large piles of yard waste that exceed 6 feet x 4 feet in size must be scheduled for a bulk pickup.

For more information on residential garbage collection, recycling and bulk pickup, visit www.lakelandgov.net/garbage.