Solid Waste FAQ
What are the services/responsibilities of the Solid Waste/Recycling Department?
The department's responsibility for garbage removal consists of commercial rolloff, compactor and hand commercial collection; semi automated residential collection; and residential manual collection of yard waste and trash. Additionally, there is a container maintenance section (repair and delivery of green and black garbage cans and yellow recycling containers). Trash and bulk items not placed in the garbage cans are collected with dump trucks with articulating arms ("jaws") once a week on your first regularly scheduled garbage collection day. The department also provides a full-service citywide recycling program. The program consists of weekly residential curbside/curb sort recycling collection for single-family residences and a cardboard collection program serving the commercial sector of the City.
The department provides collection of residential yard waste. The City also has free mulch available to the residents of Leesburg. The free mulch is located at Neely Drive off Lucas Street. Scrap metal and used appliances are also collected separately from other waste and recycled through local scrap metal dealers
How do I order Solid Waste/Recycling services?
To order Solid Waste/Recycling services, please call Leesburg Customer Service at (352) 728-9800.
When is garbage collected?
Where should I place my garbage container?
Place containers within 2 feet of curb with handle facing away from curb and at least 3 feet from any obstructions such as vehicles, mailboxes, recycling bins, trees, etc.
How should I fill my garbage container?
To properly fill your garbage container, please follow these guidelines:
- Drain and wrap or bag wet garbage
- Nothing should stick out of the top or hang over the sides of the container
- Cut long objects into short lengths so they will not stick out of, or become wedged in, the container
- Don't place objects on top of closed lids or in front of containers
- For yard waste collection:
- Cut tree limbs 4" in diameter or less into 4' lengths, bundle and place curbside
- Bag uncontaminated twigs, loose leaves and grass or put in City garbage container and place curbside
For large materials, cut limbs and stumps over 4" in diameter into lengths 4 feet or less and stack curbside, clear of obstructions. please call (352) 728-9878 to arrange for removal of these and other very bulky yard waste piles.
What cannot be discarded as garbage or trash?
Unacceptable waste for single-family residential collection includes hazardous waste (paint, auto fluids, batteries, and household and pool chemicals); concrete; dirt; sod; sand; plaster; carpet; construction debris; tires; and hot ashes.
For commercial and multifamily service, unacceptable waste includes hazardous waste (paint, auto fluids, nickel cadmium batteries, and household and pool chemicals); electronics (computers, TVs, etc.); concrete; dirt; sod; sand; plaster; shingles; heavy building materials; hot ashes; tires; fluorescent bulbs and flammable or biomedical waste; fluorescent bulbs.
My garbage container has been damaged/vandalized. What should I do?
To report damage to your green or black garbage container or yellow recycling bin, to order a replacement container, or to report repair/service needs, vandalism or graffiti, please call Solid Waste/Recycling at (352)728-9878. For repairs, please empty and wash out the damaged containers and place them at the curb prior for repair. When calling for service, please give the service address, telephone number, and name. Please ensure that containers are easily accessible on scheduled day of repair or service.
Hazardous wastes are corrosive, toxic, flammable, and reactive substances that present a threat to public health, safety, and the environment. Never place hazardous waste in garbage or recycling containers. Please call (352) 728-9878 for more information.
Commercially-generated corrosive, toxic, flammable, and reactive substances should never be placed in garbage or recycling containers. Please call the Lake County Landfill at (352) 343-3776 for disposal information.
Where can I safely dispose of household hazardous waste such as batteries and paint?
Hazardous waste including household and nickel cadmium batteries, oil-based paint, fluorescent, paint thinners, and paint removers and solvents can be taken to the Lake County Landfill Household Chemical Collection Center located at 13130 Astatula Landfill Road. Call (352) 343-3776 for disposal information.
To dispose of latex paint, line a box with plastic. Crumple newspaper into the box. Pour all remaining paint onto the newspaper. Set the box out in the sun to dry out, along with paint cans and lids. When completely dried, put the box in a garbage bag and place in the regular garbage for collection.
Where can I dispose of used motor oil?
Used motor oil can be dropped off for recycling at Lake County Landfill Household Chemical Collection Center located at 13130 Astatula Landfill Road. Call (352) 343-3776 for disposal information.
What should I do with old electronics such as computers, TVs, and microwaves?
Electronic equipment should not be thrown out with the garbage, as it contains hazardous components which should not be burned or put in a landfill. Please place the following devices (CPUs, monitors, keyboards, plotters, printers, floppy drives, interfaces, CD ROMs, televisions, stereos, radios, VCRs, camcorders, microwaves, telephones, power supplies, hard drives, tape drives, and other miscellaneous electronics) along side of your roll out can for pick up. Please call (352) 728-9878 to make arrangements for the electronics to be picked up.
How can I dispose of junk, old appliances or scrap metal?
To dispose of old appliances and large metal items, place them separately at the curb. Please drain hot water heaters and remove or secure all doors on refrigerators and freezers. Junk, furniture, and other bulk items can be placed in their own pile at the curb on your collection day. Smaller items (dishes, clothing, etc.) should be bagged on your first scheduled collection day.
A professional tree trimming company has worked on my yard. Who is responsible for the yard waste?
All debris generated within the City by a contractor (tree surgeon, landscaper, or other) must be removed and disposed of by the contractor - City Ordinance Sec. 11-17.
Where can I get free mulch?
Free mulch for residential use is available at the old City of Leesburg Landfill located on Neely Road.
Mulch at collection center is for residential use only. For pick up of bulk quantities or commercial use, please call (352) 728-9878.
What is accepted for recycling curbside in Leesburg?
Acceptable materials are:
- Newspapers, magazines and cardboard (flattened 2 x 3 feet)
- Clear, brown and green glass bottles and jars
- Plastic bottles with necks including laundry detergent bottles
- Aluminum cans and food containers
- Steel (tin) cans and food containers
Materials set out at the curb in the residential program can be commingled, but it is helpful if newspapers are set at one end of the bin, with the other materials alongside. All recyclable containers (plastic bottles, aluminum, steel, and glass) should be empty and rinsed. Labels need not be removed, but lids from plastic bottles and glass containers should be removed and discarded. Crushing cans and plastic bottles is optional, but this will conserve space in the bin.
Why are some materials not accepted for recycling in Leesburg?
We collect ONLY those materials for which we have secure markets. It is expensive and time-consuming to separate non-recyclable materials (contaminants) from marketable commodities. Some containers may be marked "Recyclable," but the markets for these items may be too distant to make collecting them cost-effective. In other cases, the available volume of some containers is too small to justify a collection program. Finally, the technology to successfully remanufacture some materials simply does not exist at this time. For these reasons, we do not currently collect the following: window or drinking glass, plastics other than those with necks, for instance, Styrofoam and plastic film, aluminum foil or pie plates, paperboard (i.e., cereal boxes), aseptic drink bottles, caps or lids from any containers, plastic bags or paper bags.
Note: Both types of grocery bags can be taken to any grocery store for recycling. The cardboard recycling program to the commercial sector - cardboard can make up to 50% of the waste generated by a typical business. Call (352) 728-9878 for more information.
How do I get a yellow curbside recycling bin?
If you are a resident of incorporated Leesburg with City Solid Waste Service - 95 gallon roll out can other than multifamily or commercial Dumpsters - you should have a yellow recycling bin and weekly collection service. If there is no bin at your house when you move in, call (352) 728-9878 for a free replacement bin, and a Guide to Recycling.
What should I do with used syringes?
"Sharps" are items having the potential to puncture or lacerate. These include syringes with attached needles and disposable lancets. Place in an empty bleach bottle and place full bottle in with regular garbage.
Are garbage and recyclables picked up on holidays?
No, residential garbage and recyclables are not collected on the City observed Holidays.