Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fort Myers
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.
City-Issued Cart (96-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed at the curb no later than 6:30 a.m. on the scheduled collection day, or the night before. Carts must not be out more than 24 hours before or after pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓General refuse
City-Issued Cart (65-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream recycling is collected on the same day as garbage. Place all recyclable materials loose in the cart without bagging them.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Limit piles to 10 cubic yards. Branches must be 4 feet or shorter and under 4 inches in diameter (palm fronds exempt from length). Small items must be in paper bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches
- ✓Trimmings
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Pine needles
- ✓Fallen fruit
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a week
Placement
Place items no more than 4 feet from the edge of the pavement. Brush and junk must be separated.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Stoves
- ✓ Refrigerators
- ✓ Washers
- ✓ Dryers
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous household waste
- ✕ RV holding tank waste
- ✕ Construction debris (unless using roll-off service)
- ✕ Mixed yard waste
Bulk pickups up to 4 cubic yards are included in your standard service. Exceeding this limit will require a special pickup and additional fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
No collection on observed holidays. If a holiday falls on a Monday or Tuesday, service is delayed by one day for the rest of the week. If a holiday falls on a Thursday or Friday, only Thursday and Friday routes are delayed. Wednesday routes (commercial only) do not impact residential schedules.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard and bulk waste collections follow the same holiday delay protocol as regular household garbage.
Weekend holidays generally do not affect weekday residential collection schedules.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Junk and Brush Separated
When putting out heavy waste, make sure your artificial household bulk items (furniture, mattresses) are placed in a completely separate pile from your organic yard waste. Mixed piles will not be collected by the city.
No Landscaping Stones or Wood
Do not include landscaping wood, stones, or treated lumber in your yard waste piles. These materials cannot be composted and will damage the Lee County Horticulture Recycling Facility's mulching equipment.
Paper, Not Plastic, for Yard Debris
Leaves, grass clippings, and pine needles must be contained in recyclable paper bags. Plastic bags contaminate the compost pile and will be left at the curb by collection crews.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberBefore a named storm arrives, secure all trash and recycling carts inside a garage or shed. Cease all major yard trimming and do not place bulk items at the curb if a hurricane watch or warning is issued, as they can become dangerous projectiles.
Summer Rainy Season
June to SeptemberHeavy tropical downpours can wash loose debris into storm drains, causing localized flooding and illicit discharges. Ensure all grass clippings are bagged in paper or swept away from the street to protect the Caloosahatchee River.
Snowbird / Winter Peak Season
December to AprilAs seasonal residents return, collection volumes increase significantly. Be mindful to break down all cardboard boxes for recycling and ensure carts are out precisely by 6:30 a.m., as routing times may fluctuate with heavier neighborhood loads.
About Fort Myers Waste Management
City of Fort Myers Solid Waste Collection Overview
The City of Fort Myers Solid Waste Division operates as the sole municipal hauler for residential trash, recycling, and yard waste within city limits. Servicing the City of Palms, the division utilizes an extensive fleet to pick up waste weekly, transporting it to the Lee County Resource Recovery Facility. Residents are issued a 96-gallon trash cart and a 65-gallon recycling cart, keeping local neighborhoods clean and sustainable.
Dealing with Tropical Yard Waste and Palm Fronds
Fort Myers' lush, tropical climate generates substantial yard debris, especially palm fronds and branches. The city offers a generous yard waste program, collecting up to 10 cubic yards per week without additional fees. While most branches must be cut to four feet in length and under four inches in diameter, palm fronds are uniquely exempt from the length rule. Remember to use recyclable paper bags for smaller clippings, as plastic bags are not permitted.
Heavy Bulk Item and White Goods Removal
Moving or renovating your Fort Myers home? The municipal service includes once-a-week bulk item pickup for up to four cubic yards of furniture, mattresses, and household junk. Appliances, also known as white goods, are collected weekly as well. For efficient curbside service, it is strictly required to separate your artificial bulk junk from your vegetative brush and yard waste.
Navigating Holiday Collection Delays
Fort Myers recognizes six major holidays that pause solid waste services, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day. Because regular residential collection does not occur on Wednesdays, mid-week holidays have a unique cascading effect on the schedule. Typically, if a holiday lands on a Monday or Tuesday, pickups shift by one day for the rest of the week, while Thursday or Friday holidays only delay the end-of-week routes.
Commercial and Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance
To combat landfill overflow, Fort Myers enforces Ordinance 3502, making recycling mandatory for all commercial entities, non-profits, and special events. Multi-family complexes and businesses must subscribe to recycling services, either through the city or a private provider, to ensure valuable materials are recovered and diverted from the Lee County solid waste stream.
Drop-off Facilities
Lee County Resource Recovery Facility
10500 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, FL 33905
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should my trash and recycling carts be at the curb in Fort Myers?
Residents should place their 96-gallon trash and 65-gallon recycling carts out the night before, or no later than 6:30 a.m. on the scheduled collection day, to avoid missed pickups. They must be removed within 24 hours after collection.
Are there any restrictions on the size of branches for yard waste collection?
Yes. Standard branches and limbs must be cut to no longer than four feet in length and must be less than four inches in diameter. However, palm fronds are a specific exception to this rule and do not have to meet the four-foot length limit.
How much bulk waste can I throw away each week in Fort Myers?
The city allows up to four cubic yards of large household items (such as furniture and mattresses) and one white good appliance (like a refrigerator, washer, or stove) per week at no extra charge. Ensure it is placed away from your yard waste.
Can I use plastic bags for my leaves and grass clippings?
No. Small yard debris like leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings must be placed in recyclable paper bags. Alternatively, residents can request a dedicated 96-gallon horticulture cart from the Solid Waste Division for a small monthly fee of $2.75.