Trash, bulk and yard pickup in the City of Fort Myers

First, check that you’re in the city

A Fort Myers mailing address doesn’t mean City service. Much of the area with a Fort Myers address is unincorporated Lee County, where a franchise hauler collects under the county’s rules; Lee County’s ZIP-code table lists several ZIPs (33901, 33905, 33913, 33966, 33967) as served by both. If your water or sewer bill comes from the City, City service is mandatory. Otherwise, see our unincorporated Lee County guide.

Sources: City of Fort Myers: Solid Waste (checked 2026-10-13); Lee County Solid Waste: your garbage company by ZIP code (checked 2026-10-13)

Trash and recycling

The City provides a 96-gallon trash cart, emptied once a week. Carts go out no later than 6:30 a.m., at least 5 feet from obstructions. If one cart isn’t enough, an extra cart costs $7.34 a month, or you can pay $13.25 for a one-time extra pickup; extra recycling carts are free. The City’s holiday page lists which routes slide when a holiday falls in the week.

Sources: City of Fort Myers: Solid Waste FAQs (checked 2026-10-13); City of Fort Myers: holiday week collection delays (checked 2026-10-13)

Bulk items and white goods

Bulk pickup is once a week and limited to 4 cubic yards (a bit more than one heaped pickup-truck load), such as furniture and mattresses. Appliances (stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer) are a separate weekly white-goods pickup, and junk and brush have to be in separate piles. Your bulk and yard day may not be your trash day: the City’s Schedules and Routes page has the areas by day and a map lookup, and there’s no residential pickup on Wednesday.

Sources: City of Fort Myers: Solid Waste FAQs (checked 2026-10-13); City of Fort Myers: Schedules and Routes (checked 2026-10-13)

Yard trimmings

Yard waste is collected weekly, up to 10 cubic yards. Keep the pile within 4 feet of the edge of the pavement, cut pieces to 4 feet long and 4 inches across (palm fronds are the exception), and put small clippings in recyclable paper bags. Landscaping wood and stone aren’t yard waste. Piles over 10 cubic yards cost extra, and nothing should go out more than 24 hours early.

Sources: City of Fort Myers: Yard Waste Collection (checked 2026-10-13)

Electronics, chemicals and construction debris

Electronics need a scheduled special pickup. Household chemicals go to Lee County’s Topaz Court drop-off (6441 Topaz Ct), which takes them from residents at no charge. For a remodel, the City rents roll-off boxes from 10 to 40 yards.

Sources: City of Fort Myers: Recycling (checked 2026-10-13); Lee County Solid Waste: Topaz Court facility (checked 2026-10-13); City of Fort Myers: Roll-Off Collection Service (checked 2026-10-13)

When paying for a haul makes sense in Fort Myers

The City’s service is the cheapest answer when your load fits the weekly limits and you can get it to the curb. Hiring help makes sense when there’s more than 4 cubic yards of bulk, when the items are still inside or upstairs, or when you need it gone before your bulk day. It’s also the answer for mixed loads that the City wants separated: a refrigerator, a couch and a pile of brush can go in one trip. For a whole house, see estate cleanouts; for a move, move-out cleanouts.

After a storm

If you live on a private road or in an HOA, the City asks for an Emergency Debris Removal Right of Entry form before storm season, with the association’s insurance attached. Our storm debris guide covers what each city said after its last storm.

Renting a dumpster in Fort Myers

Planning a remodel, roof or other project that needs a roll-off? Dumpster rules in Fort Myers explains who can place one here and how to book.