Residential Solid Waste Contract FAQ

AT A GLANCE
  • Contract extension effective: Oct. 1, 2026
  • Contract extension term: 10 years
  • Garbage collection: Weekly ✔
  • Yard waste: Every other week ✔
  • Bulk waste: Every other week ✔
  • Curbside recycling: No
  • Recycling drop-off sites: Yes ✔
  • New garbage carts: Yes, phased replacement at no charge to residents
  • New collection trucks: 28 over 28 months

The Board’s decision extends the current franchise contract between Highlands County Board of County Commissioners and Florida Waste Solutions LLC and continues to provide residential garbage collection services for Highlands County residents. It continues current residential services while allowing the contractor to invest in new trucks, equipment, facilities, and staffing and garbage carts over time.

Florida Waste Solutions LLC will continue providing residential curbside garbage collection under the extended contract.

Oct. 1, 2026.

10 years, through Sept. 30, 2036.

The longer term provides service stability and allows Florida Waste Solutions to make significant investments in equipment, facilities, staffing and residential garbage carts over time rather than all at once.

Residents may call 863-402-6505.

If the County determines that Florida Waste Solutions may not be meeting the requirements of the agreement, County Administration would bring the matter to the Board of County Commissioners for review. If the Board determines that a contract violation has occurred, the Board and County Attorney would follow the legal and contractual procedures available to address it.

Anyone may make a public records request to obtain a copy of the solid waste franchise agreement and its amendments by calling 863-402-6832, emailing HCBCCrecords@highlandsfl.gov or submitting an online request.

Commissioners discussed the solid waste contract extension at its Aug.4, 2026, regular meeting. Board meeting videos are available on the County website, here.

Yes. Weekly household garbage collection will continue.

Find your collection day

Yes. Yard waste will continue to be collected every other week, alternating with bulk waste collection.

View the pick-up schedule

Yes. Bulk waste will continue to be collected every other week, alternating with yard waste collection.

View the pick-up schedule

Residents may continue using Highlands County's three drop-off recycling locations.

AVON PARK

The Avon Park recycling site is in downtown Avon Park at 100 S. Glenwood Avenue, with the entrance near the Eddie Cannon Street/South Prospect Avenue intersection.

Hours of operation:

2-5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays

SEBRING

The Sebring recycling site is at 3520 Westminster Road, with the entrance to the right as you enter Max Long Recreation Field going to the soccer fields.

Hours of operation:

2-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays

LAKE PLACID

The site is at 25 W. Royal Palm St., at the corner of Hickory Avenue and West Royal Palm St., near the railroad just off West Interlake Boulevard in downtown Lake Placid.

Hours of operation:

2-5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays

Drop-off Recycling program information

Currently, the contract does not include changes to residential collection schedules.

Find your collection day

The solid waste assessment is paid for by the homeowner.

Yes. Rear-door collection service for residential dwelling units is available for $9.68/month. For information, please call 863-402-6505.

Residents may call 863-402-6505 or submit an online form.

No. Residential properties in unincorporated Highlands County are required to use the County’s contracted garbage collection service.

No. Residential properties in unincorporated Highlands County are required to use the County’s contracted garbage collection service, and the assessment covers the entire year.

Yes. Residential garbage carts will be replaced through a phased replacement program beginning Oct. 1, 2026.

No. Residents will not be charged for carts replaced through the phased replacement program included in the residential solid waste agreement. At least 8,500 residential carts will be replaced each year at no charge to residents.

The standard residential cart is 96 gallons.

Residents may request a 35-gallon cart instead. Please call 863-655-0005.

Additional carts are available.

Current pricing:

  • 96-gallon cart: $75
  • 35-gallon cart: $60

Please call 863-655-0005.

Florida Waste Solutions will remove and dispose of the old cart when the replacement is delivered.

The contract extension replaces a minimum of 8,500 carts each year so replacements can occur in an organized and cost-effective manner.

Florida Waste Solutions will determine how new carts are distributed. For more information, please call 863-655-0005.

Please call 863-655-0005 to speak with a Florida Waste Solutions representative.

The first year includes major investments in:

  • new collection trucks
  • equipment
  • facilities
  • staffing
  • garbage carts

After those investments are completed by the end of the first three years of the contract extension, annual costs become more stable.

No. The County's portion of the assessment supports operation and maintenance of the County-owned landfill and solid waste system. It is not intended to generate a profit.

Annual assessments reflect the costs of providing residential collection services over the life of the contract, including labor, equipment, fuel, maintenance and other operational expenses.

The contract extension includes an annual adjustment in the amount paid by the County to the hauler for residential curbside collection services using the following rate schedule:

Contract Year                        Monthly Rate             Yearly Rate

10/1/26 to 9/30/27                $14.77                        $177.24

10/1/27 to 9/30/28                $16.95                        $203.40

10/1/28 to 9/30/29                $19.00                        $228.00

10/1/29 to 9/30/30                $19.75                        $237.00

10/1/30 to 9/30/31                $20.52                        $246.24

10/1/31 to 9/30/32                $21.33                        $255.96

10/1/32 to 9/30/33                $22.17                        $266.04

10/1/33 to 9/30/34                $23.05                        $276.60

10/1/34 to 9/30/35                $23.96                        $287.52

10/1/35 to 9/30/36                $23.96                        $287.52

The residential solid waste assessment will continue to be considered and approved each year through the required public hearing process. The County's portion of the assessment supports operation and maintenance of the County-owned landfill and solid waste system. It is not intended to generate a profit.

Replacing the fleet improves reliability and helps support residential collection service throughout the county.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, the company will purchase one new collection truck every month for 28 consecutive months for a total of 28 new residential collection trucks. As of Aug. 4, 2026, four trucks have already been purchased.

Currently, the contract does not include changes to residential collection schedules.

Find your collection day

The contract extension includes changes affecting certain commercial municipal solid waste collection practices.

No. Residential garbage collection services are not affected.

A two-year transition period will begin Oct. 1, 2026. For more information, please call 863-655-0005 to speak with a Florida Waste Solutions representative.

The contract extension aligns commercial municipal solid waste collection with the franchise agreement and Highlands County Code of Ordinances.

Common FAQs

Yard waste needs to be placed in a separate container or tied in bundles that are less than six (6) feet in length and less than 50 lbs per container or bundle.  Only 2 cubic yards per resident will be picked up on a scheduled day.  Do not put any yard or bulk waste in your blue or green carts.
Two (2) cubic yards will be picked up on a scheduled day. If you have more than two (2) cubic yards of yard or bulk waste to be picked up, please contact Florida Waste Solutions and schedule a special pickup. Additional fees may apply.
Automated waste collection service provides added convenience for residents, minimizes litter on local streets and reduces safety risks posed to both our employees and residents by distracted drivers near the waste collection process.
All household garbage must be placed in a secured bag to reduce litter and odors.  Broken glass, ceramics or other sharp objects must be securely wrapped and contained in small amounts of newspaper or thick wrapping materials such as bubble wrap or cardboard.
The carts virtually eliminate street litter after pickups. Plus the container's tight lid keeps rodents and pests out of the garbage.
No, all trash must be placed inside the cart.  Your bulk waste and yard waste may still be placed directly at the curb for collections.
Waste Connections will provide a warranty for the carts throughout the length of the collection contract for damage it causes.  If the damage is done by the resident, the resident will be responsible.
Yes. The cart is being provided free of charge. The County and Florida Waste Solutions requires that all residents who have received a cart use it to improve collection efficiency and keep our drivers safe. The County requires the exclusive use of the cart.
No, you must use the carts. If a person with special needs (physical limitations) has difficulty handling a 95-gallon cart, we would ask those persons to contact Florida Waste Solutions at (863) 655-0005 or Highlands County at (863) 402-7786.

Glass can be recycled at any of the Highlands County Recycling drop-off centers located in Sebring, Lake Placid or Avon Park.

For Information on the location of the Recycling Center hours, days of operation and /type of glass acceptable for Recycling can be found online at www.highlandsgl.gov/departments/SOlid_Waste/Rcycling.php
Or you can call at 863-402-6505.

Bulk waste is any item that is too large to fit in the provided cart. This does not apply to extra garbage bags. There is a 2 cubic yard maximum. For pickup of larger bulk items (refrigerators, couches), call 863-655-0005 (Florida Waste Solutions).
Yard waste means decomposable waste materials generated by yard and lawn care and includes leaves, grass trimmings, brush, wood chips, and shrub and tree trimmings. Yard waste shall not include roots or stumps that exceed six inches in diameter. There is a 2 cubic yard maximum.