Trash & Recycling in Port St. Lucie, FL: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Port St. Lucie or are thinking about moving there, trash & recycling are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Port St. Lucie has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of trash & recycling, and some of them might surprise you.

Recycling Rules

Port St. Lucie offers weekly single-stream curbside recycling. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers (numbers 1-5 and 7), aluminum and steel cans, and glass bottles and jars. Contamination is a growing enforcement concern.

Key details: Format: Single-stream commingled. Plastics: Numbers 1-5 and 7 bottles. Paper: Clean paper and cardboard. Not Accepted: Bags, styrofoam, food waste. HHW Site: County facility on Glades.

Non-recyclable contamination may result in the cart being rejected (not emptied) with a tag indicating the problem. Repeat contamination can result in a warning or loss of service.

Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping in Port St. Lucie is prohibited under city code and Florida Statute 403.413 (Litter Law). Penalties range from $100 for small litter to $5,000 for commercial or hazardous dumping, plus potential felony charges.

Key details: State Law: FL Statute 403.413. Small Litter: $100 noncriminal. Misdemeanor: 15-500 lbs. Felony: Over 500 lbs. Report: 772-871-5190.

Under 15 lbs: $100 fine. 15-500 lbs: misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine and 1 year jail. Over 500 lbs: felony, up to $5,000 fine and 5 years prison. Plus cleanup and restitution costs.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Port St. Lucie actively enforces its illegal dumping requirements.

Collection Schedule

Port St. Lucie provides weekly curbside collection of garbage, recycling, yard waste, and bulk items through a contracted hauler (FCC Environmental Services). Service is mandatory for all residential properties within the city.

Key details: Hauler: FCC Environmental Services. Garbage: Weekly, 95-gallon cart. Recycling: Weekly, 65-gallon cart. Yard Waste: Weekly. Set-out Time: By 6 AM collection day.

Late cart placement, early cart placement (before day prior), or leaving carts curbside after collection day may result in code warnings and fines starting at $50.

The Bottom Line

Port St. Lucie'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 Port St. Lucie is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Port St. Lucie can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.