Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cape Coral
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone (Monday through Friday)
Recycling
Same day as trash (once per week)
Yard Waste
Same day as trash (once per week)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (5:00 AM from May 1 to Sept 30)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential curbside trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulk pickup services are funded through an annual non-ad valorem assessment on your Lee County property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes (Annual assessment)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Backdoor solid waste collection is available at no extra charge for residents with verified physical disabilities.
Tan Bin (Trash)
Bag all trash before placing it in the tan cart. Lids must close completely. Set out after 5:00 PM the day before and before 6:00 AM (or 5:00 AM in summer). Keep 5 feet away from mailboxes and cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken items
Green Bin (Recycling)
Place items loose in the green cart; never use plastic bags. Extra recycling can be placed in a clearly labeled cardboard box next to the cart (max 50 lbs).
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (broken down)
- ✓Paper and junk mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard
- ✕Medical waste
Yard Waste Bin
Put small yard waste in paper bags or a personal 40-gallon can. Bundle branches up to 50 lbs. Leave palm fronds unbundled in a neat, separate pile.
Accepted Items
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches (under 6 feet long and 4 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly, on your regular trash collection day.
Placement
Place items within 3 feet of the road, and at least 5 feet from fire hydrants, mailboxes, and parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances (requires scheduling)
- ✓ Oversized cardboard
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor and construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Move-out piles (requires special scheduled pickup and fee)
Standard residential bulk items are collected for free. However, massive 'Move-Out' piles are not part of regular service, must be specially scheduled, and may incur an extra removal fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, trash, recycling, and bulk service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same one-day delay rule as regular garbage and recycling during holiday weeks.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no change to the weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer Heat Hours
May - SeptemberTo protect sanitation workers from the intense Florida heat, collection begins an hour early. All bins and bulk items must be at the curb by 5:00 AM from May 1st through September 30th.
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberWhen a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued for Lee County, immediately stop placing bulk waste or yard trimmings at the curb. Secure your tan and green carts inside your garage to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
Post-Storm Debris Recovery
As NeededFollowing a major weather event, the city will issue specific guidelines for storm debris. Standard Waste Pro collections may be temporarily paused to prioritize clearing roads of fallen vegetation and structural debris.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans into Cash in Cape Coral!
Hey neighbor! Ever wonder what to do with those empty aluminum cans and plastic bottles? While our regular recycling bins are great, did you know you can actually get a few bucks back? Florida has a state program where you can redeem eligible beverage containers. While I couldn't find a specific buyback center right inside Cape Coral, check out places in nearby Fort Myers, like ABC Recycling or Fort Myers Scrap Metal, as they often take aluminum and other metals. It's a neat way to make a little extra cash and keep recyclables out of the landfill.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in the Cape
Got furniture, clothes, or household items that are still good but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, consider donating! Cape Coral has several spots that would love to take your usable items. Habitat for Humanity ReStore on SE 47th Terrace is always looking for furniture, appliances, and building materials. For clothing and general household goods, check out places like Hope Hospice Thrift Store or Goodwill Industries in the surrounding Fort Myers area. It's a fantastic way to help others and reduce waste.
Keeping Cape Coral Beautiful: Tackling Blight Together
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped illegally! If you notice any instances of illegal dumping in Cape Coral, the city encourages you to report it. You can usually do this by calling the Cape Coral Public Works Department. They also organize community clean-up events from time to time, so keep an eye on the city's official website or social media for announcements. Participating in these events is a great way to meet your neighbors and make a real difference in keeping our community clean and attractive.
Drop-off Facilities
North Cape Government Complex Bulk Drop-Off
1200 Kismet Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33909 (Access from NW 14th Ave)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put extra garbage bags outside my tan cart in Cape Coral?
Yes. If your tan cart is completely full, you are allowed to place extra household garbage in secured plastic bags right next to the cart. Just ensure that no individual bag weighs more than 50 pounds.
How do I dispose of a refrigerator or large appliance?
Large appliances, also known as 'white goods,' are picked up for free, but they require a special arrangement. You must call Waste Pro at 239-337-0800 to schedule the specific date and time for your appliance removal.
What are the rules for disposing of palm fronds?
Cape Coral has a unique rule for palm fronds. Do not cut, tie, or bundle them. You simply need to stack the palm fronds in a single, neat pile on the curb, ensuring they are completely separated from your other yard waste and garbage.
What time should my trash bins be out at the curb?
During standard months, bins must be at the curb by 6:00 AM. However, from May 1st through September 30th, the city switches to 'Summer Heat' hours, meaning your carts must be placed out by 5:00 AM. You can place them curbside as early as 5:00 PM the night before your collection day.