Let's talk trash — or, more specifically, recyclables. Polk County will end curbside recycling pickups on Tuesday, Oct. 1, leaving many to wonder what it will mean for their waste (and their wallets). We found the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Why is Polk County ending pickups?

The county announced the change last year, citing that the costs of fueling trucks and sorting collections outweighed the benefits. It's expected to save the county $5.5 million per year.

Will waste collection fees change?

Annual county waste collection charges will increase by 63% from $206 to $337 next fiscal year. Charges will also increase incrementally over the next five years to keep up with rising disposal costs.

Just check the color of your carts to see if your recycling is good to go. | Image by the City of Lakeland

I live in Lakeland — will my recycling service end?

Those within city limits will still have their recycling picked up as usual. Wondering if yours is picked up by the city or county? Check for Lakeland's blue bins or Polk County's black bins with yellow lids.

What do I do with my recycling cart?

If you're a county resident, the good news is you now have an extra garbage cart. You can keep the black recycling cart for trash or yard waste, or you can call the Solid Waste Division to have it picked up.

Where can I recycle now?

The city + county do not offer dropoff centers, so find a centralized recycling point near you to give your recyclables new life. Pro tip: Auburndale offers one at its Public Works Department. You can also subscribe to curbside pickups from a private company.

What else is Polk County doing to stay green?

Polk will open a Leachate Treatment Facility where contaminated water from landfills will be filtered, as well as a Renewable Gas Plant to convert landfill gases into compressed natural gas to fuel waste collection trucks.