Polk County Solid Waste Division to Accept Recent Freeze-Related Yard Waste for Flat Fee

Published: March 3, 2026

Bartow, Fla. (March 3, 2026) — In an effort to help Polk County residents get rid of yard waste from the recent cold snap but who don’t want to wait for their regular yard waste pick up day, Polk County Commissioners have agreed to a flat fee of $10 per load taken to the North Central Transfer Station.

County residents will need to take the yard waste to the North Central Transfer Station, located at 3131 K-Ville Ave., Auburndale.

The reduced fee is available from Wednesday, March 4 to Monday, May 4, 2026.

There are certain requirements:

Residents must show a valid Florida driver’s license with a Polk County address or proof of residency via a utility bill or other document.
Yard waste can be delivered in anything from a pick-up truck to a 20-foot trailer.
It is recommended that loads be covered with a tarp to keep the load secured.
Dump trailers are not allowed.
Commercial and small business haulers are not eligible for the flat fee.

“If they want to self-haul (the yard waste) and bring it to us, we can offer the discounted fee of $10 per load,’’ said Solid Waste Director Brian Cogswell. “There is a not a weight limit, they can load it up. We have the capacity and this will help us reduce the amount needed to be picked up curbside.’’

County residents also still have the option of leaving the yard waste at curbside for regular pickup. Currently, Polk County Solid Waste residential collection customers are allowed four bags of yard waste to be picked up weekly.

“We would prefer for them to not put them all out at the same time, but if there are some bags the contractors cannot pick up that trip, they will get them the next time,’’ Cogswell said. “There is only so much room in the trucks.’’

Cogswell said they are also asking Polk County contractors to tag any excessive yard waste bags to let residents know they will be back to pick up any additional bags the next week.

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