Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lehigh Acres
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.
Personal Cans (Any Color) or Plastic Bags Bin (Trash)
Use containers of 40-gallon capacity or less with two handles and a tight lid, or securely tied plastic bags. The weight limit is 50 pounds per container/bag. Place within 6 feet of the roadside by 6:30 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D) [1.1.2]
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and styrofoam
Blue Cart or County-Issued Recycling Bin Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables should be empty, clean, dry, and placed loosely in the cart. Never put your recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic containers (clean and empty)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Cardboard and clean paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind [2.4.1]
- ✕Lithium-ion or rechargeable batteries
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Place in a container (max 50 lbs) or tie into bundles (max 50 lbs, max 6 feet long). Up to 50 lbs of unbundled palm fronds are permitted at the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree limbs and branches
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly, on your regular household garbage collection day.
Placement
Set items less than 6 feet from the roadside no more than 24 hours before your scheduled collection day. Ensure they do not block mailboxes, water meters, or overhead power lines.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (couches, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Standard household appliances (doors removed from refrigerators)
- ✓ Large toys and bicycles
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Automobile parts and tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid paint
- ✕ Commercial landscaping debris
Standard residential bulk pickup is free. If an item is too large for the regular collection truck, the driver will notify dispatch and a separate truck will retrieve it within three business days at no extra charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Waste Pro observes six major holidays. If the holiday falls on a weekday, collections on that day and for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day (e.g., Wednesday collection moves to Thursday, Friday moves to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same one-day delay schedule as regular garbage during holiday weeks.
If an observed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no interruptions to the collection schedule for that week.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Loose is the Law for Recycling
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags or garbage bags [3.1.4]. Plastic bags wrap around the sorting gears at the Lee County Material Recovery Facility, causing expensive damage. Return plastic grocery bags to local retail stores instead.
No Batteries in the Blue Cart
It is critical to keep all batteries out of your recycling cart. While alkaline batteries can go in the regular trash, lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries must be taken to the Topaz Court Solid Waste Facility to prevent dangerous fires.
Keep Storm Debris Separate
During hurricane season, never mix storm-damaged fencing or construction materials with your regular yard waste pile. Mixed piles will not be collected by standard yard waste trucks and will delay your neighborhood's recovery.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued for Lee County, halt all major tree pruning immediately. Do not place any yard trimmings or bulk waste at the curb, as severe winds can turn uncollected debris into hazardous projectiles.
Winter Holidays
December - JanuaryReal Christmas trees that have had the stand, lights, and all decorations removed (including tinsel) can be set out with your regular yard waste to be ground into mulch. Artificial trees or heavily flocked trees must go in the regular garbage.
Spring Cleaning
March - MayTake advantage of Lee County's convenient bulk trash rules by placing old indoor furniture next to your garbage cans. However, remember that large quantities of construction and demolition debris from remodeling projects must be hauled to the landfill yourself.
About Lehigh Acres Waste Management
Navigating Unincorporated Lee County Waste Services
Lehigh Acres operates under the Lee County Solid Waste Division's franchise system, with daily curbside collections managed locally by Waste Pro USA. Unlike cities with automated systems requiring specific carts, residents here don't have strict cart limits for standard garbage. You can use multiple personal 40-gallon cans with tight-fitting lids and two handles, or heavy-duty tied plastic bags, provided each unit weighs 50 pounds or less. Cans must be placed within six feet of the roadside by 6:30 AM on collection day.
Simplified Bulk Item Disposal on Regular Trash Day
Getting rid of old furniture, mattresses, and household appliances is remarkably easy in Lehigh Acres. You don't need to call weeks in advance to schedule a standard bulk pickup. Just place the large items at the curb right next to your regular household garbage on your assigned collection day. If the standard truck cannot fit the bulky item, the driver will notify dispatch, and a specialized truck will arrive to collect it within three business days.
Palm Fronds and Yard Waste Requirements
Florida's tropical landscape requires constant maintenance, and Lee County offers weekly yard waste collection to accommodate this. Small debris like grass clippings and leaves must be placed in a standard container or paper lawn bag weighing 50 pounds or less. However, residents are uniquely allowed to place up to 50 pounds of unbundled palm fronds directly at the curb. Any extra fronds or branches beyond this must be securely tied into bundles measuring no longer than 6 feet and weighing less than 50 pounds.
Keeping Batteries Out of the Buckingham Facility
Lee County places a massive emphasis on safety regarding household battery disposal. Lithium-ion, rechargeable, and car batteries are strictly prohibited in your curbside garbage and blue recycling carts because they pose a severe fire risk to the collection trucks and the Buckingham Resource Recovery Facility. Residents must take these hazardous batteries to the Topaz Court Solid Waste Facility. Standard household alkaline batteries, however, are safe to go into the regular trash.
Drop-off Facilities
Topaz Court Solid Waste Facility (Household Chemical Waste)
6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers, FL 33966
Materials Accepted
Lee County Resource Recovery Facility
10500 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, FL 33905
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to schedule an appointment for bulk trash pickup in Lehigh Acres?
No advance scheduling is required. You can place large, bulky items like furniture and appliances at the curb next to your regular garbage on your normal collection day [3.1.4]. If the item doesn't fit in the standard truck, the hauler will automatically send a specialized truck to pick it up within three business days.
What size garbage cans am I allowed to use?
Unless you are in a specific automated collection zone with a county-issued cart, residents should use personal garbage cans with a capacity of 40 gallons or less, featuring two handles and a tight-fitting lid. Each can or plastic bag must weigh 50 pounds or less.
Can I leave palm fronds unbundled at the curb?
Yes, but with limits. Lee County Solid Waste allows up to 50 pounds of unbundled palm fronds to be placed at the curb. Any excess palm fronds beyond that 50-pound allowance must be securely tied into bundles.
Where should I dispose of rechargeable batteries and old paint?
Household hazardous waste, including lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable batteries, wet paint, and harsh chemicals, should never go in your curbside bins. They must be taken to the Topaz Court Solid Waste Facility located at 6441 Topaz Court in Fort Myers.