Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Port Charlotte
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected once per week on your scheduled trash collection day.
Set Out Time
By 5:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste services are billed annually as a non-ad valorem assessment on your Charlotte County real estate tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included in Property Taxes)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Drop Box, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Early payment discounts of up to 4% apply to annual property tax bills paid early in November.
Gray or Green Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be bagged before going into the cart. The lid must close tightly, and the cart must weigh less than 250 lbs (for a 96-gallon cart). Place it at the curb with the wheels facing your home by 5:00 a.m. on your collection day, leaving 5 feet of clearance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small, non-hazardous household items
Blue or Green Cart with Yellow/Blue Lid Bin (Recycling)
Charlotte County utilizes a single-stream recycling system. All accepted recyclables must be placed loosely in the cart. Do not bag your recyclables, and ensure items are relatively clean and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics with labels 1-7 (no foam)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Dairy and juice cartons
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Clean paper and flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam/foam cups
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Hypodermic needles
Yard Waste Bin
Place up to 10 properly bundled, paper-bagged, or containerized yard trimmings at the curb per week. Each container/bundle must weigh less than 40 pounds. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited and will be left at the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Small branches (under 6 feet long and 10 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular service day.
Placement
Place bulk items within 5 feet of your regular garbage cart at the edge of the right-of-way by 5:00 a.m. Ensure items are not blocking mailboxes or parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Up to 4 cubic yards of household bulk
- ✓ Up to 6 passenger tires (smaller than 22 inches) per year
- ✓ Unbundled yard trimmings (within the 4 yard limit)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition (C&D) debris from home renovations
- ✕ Any waste exceeding 4 cubic yards
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Debris placed on adjacent property
Standard limits are covered under your annual sanitation assessment. Oversized loads or construction debris must be hauled to a transfer facility or landfill by the homeowner or a private contractor at their own expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all curbside collections for the rest of that week are pushed back by one day (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday). Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk item collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard garbage and recycling.
There are no delays if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. All Charlotte County Solid Waste facilities are also closed on these specific holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberWhen a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued for Charlotte County, immediately stop all major yard trimming and do not place bulk items at the curb. Secure all your roll carts in a garage to prevent them from becoming airborne.
Snowbird Departure Cleans
April to MayAs seasonal residents head north for the summer, trash volumes peak. Ensure large property cleanouts adhere to the 4-cubic-yard weekly bulk limit. If you have more, you must stagger your disposal or utilize the local transfer station.
Fiscal Year Reset
OctoberCharlotte County's waste program limits households to four free appliance pickups and four free electronic pickups per year. This quota resets every October 1st, alongside the start of the county's new fiscal year.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Get Cash Back Right Here in Port Charlotte!
Did you know you can get a little money back for those aluminum cans and plastic bottles? Florida has a state program where you can redeem certain beverage containers. While there aren't specific buyback centers listed *directly* in Port Charlotte for this, keep an eye out for local redemption centers in nearby Punta Gorda or even Fort Myers. Many convenience stores also participate in the state's redemption program. It's a great way to turn your empties into a few extra bucks while helping the environment!
Giving Your Goods a Second Life in Port Charlotte
Before you toss that couch or those gently used clothes, think about donating them! In the Port Charlotte area, you've got options. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are fantastic places to drop off furniture, appliances, and building materials that are still in good shape. They help fund Habitat for Humanity's work. You can also check out local thrift stores like the ones benefiting organizations such as Goodwill or Salvation Army. They're always looking for donations and help support great local causes.
Keeping Our Shores Clean: Port Charlotte's Waste Warriors
Seeing trash where it shouldn't be is a bummer for everyone in Port Charlotte. If you ever spot illegal dumping, the best thing to do is report it to Charlotte County Solid Waste. They have a process for dealing with it and keeping our beautiful community clean. Also, keep an eye on local event listings or the county's website for any upcoming community clean-up days. Participating in these events is a fantastic way to meet neighbors and make a real difference right here at home.
Drop-off Facilities
Mid-County Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facility
19765 Kenilworth Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33954
Materials Accepted
Charlotte County Landfill
29751 Zemel Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33955
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of yard waste can I put out each week in Port Charlotte?
You can place up to 10 properly prepared items at the curb per week. These can be bundled branches, paper lawn bags, or personal garbage cans containing yard waste. Each unit must weigh under 40 pounds. Additionally, you can have up to 4 cubic yards of unbundled loose yard trimmings as part of your weekly bulk allowance.
What holidays will delay my Waste Management trash pickup in Charlotte County?
Charlotte County observes four main holidays that interrupt waste collection: New Year's Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If the holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week are delayed by one day.
Does Port Charlotte recycle glass in the curbside bins?
Yes. Unlike some neighboring Florida counties, Charlotte County's single-stream recycling program accepts glass bottles and jars. Just ensure they are empty and rinsed before placing them loosely in your blue or green recycling cart.
How do I dispose of old tires in Port Charlotte?
Charlotte County residents can place up to six passenger tires (smaller than 22 inches, with or without rims) at the curb per fiscal year. You can set them out on your regular garbage collection day without calling ahead.