Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bonita Springs
Florida residential routes generally operate Monday through Friday. Your specific household collection depends on your local county zoning map.
State Mandate
Do not mix yard trimmings with regular household garbage.
Standard garbage cart (varies by franchised hauler) Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be tied securely in plastic bags before being placed in the cart to prevent litter. Place the cart curbside by 6:00 AM on your scheduled day, keeping it at least 3 feet away from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Standard recycling cart (varies by franchised hauler) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be clean, dry, and placed completely loose in the cart. Never bag recyclables. Remove caps from glass bottles, but you may leave caps on compressed plastic bottles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastics #1 - #7
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be placed in a standard trash can, heavy-duty paper lawn bags, or tied into bundles. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste and will result in a missed pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Branches (under 6 feet long and 4 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on designated pickup day
Placement
Place bulk items away from low-hanging tree branches, mailboxes, and your regular waste carts to ensure the collection trucks have safe clearance.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, desks, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Rolled carpet (cut to manageable lengths)
- ✓ Large broken-down boxes
- ✓ Incidental DIY building materials
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and wet paint
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris
- ✕ Tires and vehicle parts
- ✕ Boats
- ✕ Propane tanks
Standard residential bulk pickup is typically covered under the Lee County franchise assessment, though excessive construction debris or tire disposal may incur special hauling fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If one of these recognized holidays falls on a weekday, all collection services for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday). If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is no disruption to your service.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk pickups follow the exact same one-day holiday delay schedule as regular household garbage.
Always leave your bins out by 6:00 AM even during holiday weeks, as substitute drivers or heavy volumes may cause the trucks to run earlier or later than usual.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bag the Trash, Never the Recycling
While all standard garbage must be bagged to prevent windblown litter, your recyclables must remain completely loose. Flimsy plastic grocery bags wrap around the sorting gears at the Lee County MRF, forcing hazardous manual shutdowns.
Palm Fronds are the Exception
Generally, yard branches cannot be longer than six feet or thicker than four inches in diameter to be collected. However, due to their natural shape and size, palm fronds are the sole exception to this rule and will be collected if neatly piled.
Toss the Tanglers
Keep garden hoses, holiday lights, ropes, and clothing out of your recycling cart. These items, known in the industry as 'tanglers,' cause immense damage to recycling facility equipment and pose a safety risk to plant workers.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued for Lee County, cease all major yard pruning immediately. Do not place bulk trash or debris at the curb, as high winds turn these unsecured piles into severe safety hazards and projectiles.
Snowbird Surges
Winter/SpringDuring the winter and early spring, Bonita Springs sees a massive influx of seasonal residents. This spike in population significantly increases waste volumes. Always ensure your carts are out by 6:00 AM, as route times may fluctuate heavily during peak season.
Holiday Cardboard Management
November - DecemberThe influx of online shopping during the holidays leads to overflowing recycling bins. Break down and flatten all corrugated cardboard boxes completely so they fit inside your recycling cart without jamming the mechanical lifting arm of the truck.
About Bonita Springs Waste Management
Lee County Franchise System in Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs residents receive their curbside services through the Lee County Solid Waste franchise system. Rather than using in-house municipal crews, the county contracts with major private haulers to service different zones. This provides Bonita Springs homes with a standardized schedule and reliable service for household trash, single-stream recycling, and yard waste collection, billed conveniently through annual assessments.
Powering Homes with the Waste-to-Energy Plant
A standout feature of the local waste program is the Buckingham Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility. Instead of simply burying Bonita Springs' household trash in a landfill, Lee County combusts the waste at over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. This advanced process reduces the volume of garbage by 90% and generates enough renewable electricity to power tens of thousands of local homes continuously.
Single-Stream Recycling at the MRF
Bonita Springs utilizes a highly efficient single-stream recycling model. Residents can combine approved plastics (#1 through #7), clean cardboard, glass bottles, and metal cans loosely into one cart. These materials are then sent to the county's Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where a sophisticated combination of magnets, air density separators, and manual sorting lines separate the commodities to be sold on the secondary market.
Horticulture Recycling and Free Resident Mulch
Florida's tropical climate requires year-round yard maintenance. Lee County processes Bonita Springs' collected yard debris at the Horticulture Recycling and Reduction Facility, ensuring organic material isn't wasted in the incinerator. The debris is ground into nutrient-rich compost and mulch, which the county generously offers back to residents for free at various community distribution centers.
Drop-off Facilities
Lee County Topaz Court Solid Waste Annex (Household Chemical Waste)
6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers, FL 33966
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who manages trash pickup in Bonita Springs?
Solid waste collection in Bonita Springs is managed by the Lee County Solid Waste division through a franchise system. The county contracts with private companies, such as Waste Management, to handle the actual curbside pickup.
Can I put my grass clippings in a plastic bag?
No. Lee County strictly prohibits the use of plastic bags for yard waste. Grass clippings, leaves, and trimmings must be placed in a standard trash can, heavy-duty paper lawn bags, or securely bundled.
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and pool chemicals?
Household chemical waste (HCW) cannot go in your curbside bins. Bonita Springs residents must bring wet paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, and hazardous materials to the Lee County Topaz Court Solid Waste Annex in Fort Myers.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress?
Bulky items like couches and mattresses are collected weekly. You can place them at the curb on your designated bulk pickup day. Be sure to keep them at least three feet away from your regular garbage carts and mailboxes.