The Solid Waste department oversees waste collection, disposal and recycling in Highlands County. The County contracts with a private company, Florida Waste Solutions, for curbside residential and commercial services. Solid Waste oversees that contract.
Additionally, the department operates the Highlands County Solid Waste Management Center on Arbuckle Creek Road. This facility accepts trash, yard debris and construction & demolition debris.
Staff also operate the Skipper Road Recycling Center in Sebring. This facility accepts hazardous waste (such as used oil, gas, chemicals, pesticides, paint and antifreeze) and E-waste (Electronic Waste) from homeowners.
The department is also responsible for the long-term care and environmental monitoring of the Highlands County Solid Waste Management Center, as well as the DeSoto City Landfill which is a closed landfill.
Solid Waste operates as an Enterprise Fund and is funded by the revenues generated from the non-ad valorem assessment that is assessed on all residential properties in unincorporated areas, and disposal tipping fees, the sale of scrap metals and other recyclables.