Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fort Pierce
Trash Day
Twice weekly (varies by neighborhood zone)
Recycling
Once weekly (varies by neighborhood zone)
Yard Waste
Once weekly (varies by neighborhood zone)
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and beautification fees are conveniently bundled into your monthly Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Text, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Fixed-income assistance is offered through FPUA's Golden Years Program and Project CARE, though no standalone solid waste discount is listed.
Green Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be placed inside the green cart. Carts must be placed at the curb no later than 7:00 AM on your collection day, spaced exactly five feet apart from other carts and obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely inside the blue cart, placed loosely without plastic bags. Items from the blue cart are transported to the St. Lucie County Recycling Facility. Place at the curb by 7:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard debris
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Use the designated black cart for small yard debris. Do not commingle yard waste with regular garbage. Large branches (up to 6 feet long) must be stacked neatly in a separate pile for brush collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Twigs and small branches
- ✓Garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Monthly on designated days
Placement
Ensure the bulk waste pile has a strict clearance of five feet on all sides from garbage carts, recycling carts, parked cars, fences, and mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (freon and doors removed)
- ✓ Small household trash (bagged/containerized)
- ✓ Tree branches (under 6 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Soil, rocks, and stones
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, fuel)
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
Nonconforming trash collection, or piles exceeding the two-cubic-yard weekly limit, will be subjected to an additional hauling fee billed to the resident.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Fort Pierce Solid Waste Division operates on almost all holidays. Services are ONLY suspended on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If your normal collection falls on one of these two days, your trash will be picked up on your next regularly scheduled service day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collection follow the exact same exception. They operate normally on holidays like Memorial Day and July 4th, but skip Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Because pickups are not 'pushed back' a day but rather skipped until the next cycle, you may need to rely on the second weekly pickup day for your household garbage.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring named tropical storm or hurricane watches, the city requires residents to immediately halt all major tree trimming. Do not place bulk items, black yard waste carts, or loose brush piles at the curb, as high winds turn these materials into severe projectile hazards.
Post-Holiday Volumes
Late December - JanuaryBecause Fort Pierce collects trash twice a week, massive post-holiday cardboard accumulation can easily overwhelm the system. Ensure you flatten all holiday shipping boxes completely so they fit securely inside the blue cart, allowing the lid to close entirely.
Summer Yard Maintenance
July - SeptemberSummer rains spur rapid lawn growth. Ensure all routine grass clippings and leaves are placed entirely inside the black yard waste cart rather than blown into street gutters, which blocks storm drains and violates city stormwater regulations.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Castoffs into Cash in Fort Pierce!
Did you know you can get a few bucks back for your aluminum cans and plastic bottles right here in Fort Pierce? While the big Waste Management recycling program is great for your regular bins, there are places locally that pay for empties. For instance, check out Fort Pierce Recycling Center on Selvitz Road. They often accept various recyclable materials beyond just what goes in your curbside bin. It's worth giving them a ring to see exactly what they're buying these days, and you might end up with a little extra spending money just by sorting a bit differently!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in the Fort Pierce Area
Before you toss out items that are still perfectly good, think about giving them a new home! In Fort Pierce, there are fantastic organizations that would love your unwanted furniture, clothes, or household goods. The Salvation Army Thrift Store on U.S. 1 often accepts donations, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Port St. Lucie is another wonderful option where your contributions help fund local projects and provide affordable housing. It's a win-win for you and for the community.
Keeping Fort Pierce Clean: What to Do About Piles and Pranks
Seeing dumped junk on the side of the road is never a good look for our beautiful Fort Pierce. If you spot anything like old mattresses, construction debris, or bags of trash that aren't supposed to be there, don't just drive by! The St. Lucie County Solid Waste Authority has a system for reporting illegal dumping. You can often call them directly or use their online portal to let them know the location. They also host special collection days for hazardous waste and sometimes organize community clean-up events, which are great ways to pitch in and keep our neighborhoods looking sharp.
Drop-off Facilities
St. Lucie County Solid Waste, Baling & Recycling Facility (Landfill)
6120 Glades Cut-Off Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Fort Pierce pick up trash on holidays?
Yes, the Fort Pierce Solid Waste Division picks up trash on almost every holiday, including Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. The only two holidays where service is suspended are Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Can I get a new garbage cart if mine is old and smells bad?
No. The city requires residents to maintain and clean their own carts using water, bleach, and deodorizer. The Solid Waste Division will only replace your cart if it is broken beyond repair (such as a cracked body or missing wheel).
What are the color codes for the trash carts in Fort Pierce?
Fort Pierce uses a strict color-coded system: Green carts are for household garbage only, Blue carts are for single-stream recycling, and Black carts are exclusively for yard waste and garden trash.
How much bulk trash can I put on the curb at once?
You are allowed to set out a maximum of two cubic yards of bulk trash per week, which is roughly the size of a small pickup truck bed. Any piles exceeding this limit, or piles containing unauthorized construction debris, will be subject to extra fees.