Recycling Requirements: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers, FL?
Cape Coral and Fort Myers have similar restriction levels.
Cape Coral, FL
Lee County
Cape Coral provides single-stream curbside recycling collection. Residents are required to separate recyclable materials from regular trash and place them in the designated recycling cart for weekly collection.
View full Cape Coral rules →Fort Myers, FL
Lee County
Residential '1-1-1' service includes weekly commingled recycling. Lee County also mandates recycling for businesses and multifamily properties in unincorporated areas: every business must recycle at least one material, collected at least once every two weeks.
View full Fort Myers rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cape Coral | Fort Myers |
|---|---|---|
| Collection | Single-stream, once per week | - |
| Accepted | Paper, cardboard, plastics #1-#7, cans, glass | Paper, cardboard, cans, glass, plastics |
| Not Accepted | Plastic bags, Styrofoam, food-soiled items | - |
| Cart | City-provided blue recycling cart | - |
| Contamination | Contaminated carts may not be collected | - |
| Residential recycling | - | Weekly commingled collection |
| Business rule | - | Recycle at least one material |
| Business frequency | - | At least every two weeks |
| Business record | - | Keep recycling program form on-site |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cape Coral FAQ
What can I recycle in Cape Coral?
Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers (#1-#7), aluminum and steel cans, and glass bottles and jars. Materials must be clean and dry. Plastic bags, Styrofoam, and food-soiled items are not recyclable.
Do I have to recycle in Cape Coral?
The city provides recycling service and encourages participation in waste diversion. While individual residents are not typically fined for not recycling, contaminating the recycling cart with non-recyclable items may result in non-collection.
Fort Myers FAQ
Is recycling mandatory for my business?
Yes, in unincorporated Lee County. Every business must run an on-site recycling program, recycle at least one material it generates, and have collection at least once every two weeks under a written agreement.
What can I put in my home recycling cart?
Commingled recyclables including fiber (mixed paper, newspaper, cardboard) and containers such as aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, and #1-#7 plastic containers.
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