How Fort Lauderdale Handles Trash & Recycling: A Practical Guide

Fort Lauderdale maintains 109 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Fort Lauderdale falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Recycling Requirements

Fort Lauderdale provides curbside single-stream recycling through WM (Waste Management). Residents receive a blue recycling cart for paper, glass, plastics #1-7, metals, and cardboard. Florida does not mandate residential recycling but the city provides the service as part of standard waste collection.

Key details: Type: Single-stream curbside recycling. Provider: WM (Waste Management). Accepted: Paper, glass, plastics #1-7, metals, cardboard. Not Accepted: Plastic bags, styrofoam, food-contaminated items. State Mandate: No statewide mandatory residential recycling.

Heavily contaminated recycling carts may not be collected or may be tagged with a contamination notice. Repeated contamination may result in additional guidance from WM.

Bulk Item Disposal

Fort Lauderdale provides bulk trash collection through WM (Waste Management) on a scheduled basis. Items too large for the regular cart, tree trimmings up to 12 feet long and 12 inches in diameter, and furniture are accepted as bulk items.

Key details: Provider: WM (Waste Management). Schedule: Specific collection day — check city map. Tree Limits: 12 ft long, 12 inches diameter max. Not Accepted: Hazardous waste, electronics, tires, construction debris. Contact: Neighbor Support Center — 954-828-8000.

Placing bulk items out on non-scheduled days may result in code enforcement notices. Illegal dumping may result in fines and criminal penalties. Contact the Neighbor Support Center at 954-828-8000.

Bin Placement Rules

Fort Lauderdale requires trash and recycling carts to be placed curbside by 7 AM on collection day, at least 3 feet from cars, mailboxes, and obstacles. Carts may be set out after 6 PM the night before and must be retrieved after collection.

Key details: Provider: WM (Waste Management). Placement Time: By 7 AM (or after 6 PM night before). Distance: 3 feet from cars, mailboxes, obstacles. Orientation: Handles toward house, opening toward street. Retrieval: Must be removed from curb after collection.

Leaving carts at the curb past collection time may result in code enforcement notices. Improperly placed carts may not be serviced. Contact the Neighbor Support Center at 954-828-8000.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Fort Lauderdale's trash is collected twice weekly and recycling once weekly by WM (Waste Management). Trash must be bagged before placing in the black cart. Recycling in the blue cart accepts paper, glass, plastics #1-7, metal cans, and cardboard.

Key details: Provider: WM (Waste Management) — since July 2023. Trash Collection: Twice weekly. Recycling Collection: Once weekly. Recycling Accepted: Paper, glass, plastics #1-7, metals, cardboard. Schedule Tool: Interactive map at fortlauderdale.gov.

Contaminated recycling carts may not be collected. Trash placed out on non-collection days may result in code enforcement notices. Contact WM customer service or the Neighbor Support Center at 954-828-8000.

The Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Fort Lauderdale is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Fort Lauderdale's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.