Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Port St. Lucie
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.
Black Cart Bin (Trash)
Place the black cart at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the night before and no later than 7:00 AM on collection day. All garbage inside the cart must be bagged to prevent pests and odor.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Wrappers and heavily soiled paper
Green Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely in the green cart, never bagged. Ensure all containers are completely empty, clean, and dry before tossing them in.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Clean paper, mail, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam and bubble wrap
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Hoses, cords, and tanglers
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Must be bagged (paper preferred over plastic), containerized, or securely tied in bundles. No single bag, can, or bundle can weigh more than 50 pounds. Do not mix yard waste with household garbage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Shrubbery trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a month on your designated collection day.
Placement
Place items at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled bulk day. Keep piles 3 feet away from your rollout carts, mailboxes, and utility poles.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large toys
- ✓ Appliances (remove doors from refrigerators)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paints, chemicals)
- ✕ Propane tanks
If you exceed the 2 cubic yard limit, you must call 1PSL at 772-871-1775 to schedule an oversized pickup for $18.50 per cubic yard. Alternatively, residents can use the City Drop-Off Center for free.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all collection days for the remainder of that week are pushed back by one day, excluding Sundays.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and the monthly bulk waste collection will also shift by one day alongside the regular garbage pickup during holiday weeks.
Verify exact holiday schedule shifts by downloading the 1PSL app or using the city's online Waste Wise tool.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Green Cart
The number one contaminant in Port St. Lucie's recycling stream is the plastic grocery bag. These bags wrap around the gears at the St. Lucie County processing facility and cause operations to halt. Return them to your local grocery store for recycling instead.
Combatting Summer Pests in Your Black Cart
The intense Florida heat can quickly cause odors in your garbage cart. The city recommends tightly double-bagging garbage during the summer. To deter maggots and bugs, spray the inner and outer lid of your black cart with a one-to-one mixture of water and vinegar.
No Greasy Pizza Boxes
While cardboard is highly recyclable, oil and grease ruin the paper fibers. If the bottom of your pizza box is stained with grease or cheese, tear it off and throw it in the black trash cart. Only the clean lid should go into your green recycling cart.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued for the Treasure Coast, secure your carts inside a garage or shed immediately. Stop all yard trimming and do not place bulk waste at the curb, as high winds can turn debris into dangerous projectiles.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryCardboard gift boxes and standard wrapping paper are recyclable. However, foil wrapping paper, metallic ribbons, bows, and styrofoam packaging peanuts cannot be recycled and must be thrown in the black garbage cart.
Summer Heat
July - SeptemberHigh temperatures mean trash odors escalate quickly. Make a habit of occasionally hosing out your black garbage cart, drying it completely, and using essential oils like peppermint or lemongrass inside to mask odors and ward off flies.
About Port St. Lucie Waste Management
Navigating Port St. Lucie's Waste Collection System
Residential solid waste in Port St. Lucie is managed through a franchise agreement with FCC Environmental Services. Residents receive automated curbside service using designated rolling carts: a black cart for standard household garbage and a green cart for single-stream recycling. Because the trucks use mechanical arms to lift the carts, you must position your carts at least three feet away from mailboxes, trees, fire hydrants, or other vehicles, with the handle facing your home.
Monthly Bulk Waste Pickups and Excess Limits
Unlike cities with weekly bulk collection, Port St. Lucie schedules bulk waste pickup exactly once a month on the same day as your regular trash and recycling. There is a strict volume limit of 2 cubic yards per month, which equates roughly to the size of two standard front-loading washing machines. If you have excess debris beyond this limit, you can call 1PSL to schedule a special pickup for $18.50 per cubic yard, or you can haul the items yourself to the City's Convenient Drop-Off Center for free.
Yard Waste Disposal Rules on Florida's Treasure Coast
With a year-round growing season, managing yard debris is a constant in Port St. Lucie. Yard waste is picked up once a week alongside regular garbage. The city strongly recommends using paper lawn bags rather than plastic bags, as paper can be easily mulched at the processing facility along with the vegetative debris. Make sure no individual can, bag, or tied bundle weighs more than 50 pounds.
Leveraging the 1PSL System for Waste Solutions
Port St. Lucie centralizes all its citizen requests through the 1PSL network. If your FCC garbage cart is damaged, stolen, or if you simply experience a missed collection day, you do not need to call the hauler directly. Instead, residents can call the 24/7 1PSL hotline at 772-871-1775, or use the 1PSL mobile app, to report disruptions, request an additional cart for a fee, or schedule a claw truck for large move-out piles.
Drop-off Facilities
Port St. Lucie Convenient Drop-Off Center
Corner of Cameo Blvd. and Crosstown Pkwy., Port St. Lucie, FL
Materials Accepted
St. Lucie County Solid Waste Baling & Recycling Facility
6120 Glades Cut-Off Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I have more than 2 cubic yards of bulk waste?
If you are renovating or moving and have more than the monthly 2 cubic yard limit, you have two options. You can take the excess items yourself to the City's Convenient Drop-Off Center at Cameo Blvd. and Crosstown Pkwy at no extra charge, or you can call 1PSL at 772-871-1775 to schedule a special claw truck pickup for an additional fee of $18.50 per cubic yard.
Should I use plastic or paper bags for my yard waste?
The City of Port St. Lucie strongly encourages residents to use heavy-duty paper lawn bags instead of plastic. Paper bags can be easily processed and turned into mulch along with grass clippings and leaves, whereas plastic bags disrupt the mulching process. Regardless of the bag used, each bag must weigh less than 50 pounds.
Who do I contact if my trash cart is broken or stolen?
Do not contact the hauler (FCC Environmental Services) directly. Port St. Lucie centralizes customer service through the 1PSL system. Call 772-871-1775 (press 5) or use the 1PSL mobile app to report a damaged cart, request a replacement, or report a missed collection.
How do I keep maggots and bugs out of my black garbage cart in the Florida heat?
To deter pests, ensure absolutely all of your household garbage is tightly bagged before tossing it in the cart; consider double bagging food waste during the hottest summer months. The city also recommends periodically rinsing out the cart with a hose and spraying the inside and outside of the lid with a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar, as the pungent smell wards off insects.