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Indian River County, FL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Mandatory
No; state goal only
State Goal
75% by 2020
Curbside
Weekly single-stream
Not Accepted
Bags, film, Styrofoam

Summary

Florida sets a statewide 75% recycling goal, not a homeowner mandate, so no unincorporated Indian River County resident is fined for skipping the blue cart. Waste Management collects single-stream recycling curbside weekly.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Indian River County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

By the year 2020, the long-term goal for the recycling efforts of state and local governmental entities, private companies and organizations, and the general public is to recycle at least 75 percent of the municipal solid waste that would otherwise be disposed of in waste management facilities, landfills, or incineration facilities.

Source: Florida StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Florida law sets a long-term goal of recycling 75 percent of municipal solid waste, but it's a goal for governments and the public, not a legal duty on individual homeowners - so curbside recycling in unincorporated Indian River County is provided, not mandatory. Waste Management collects the 65-gallon blue cart weekly for cardboard, paper, glass, metal cans, and rigid plastics, placed loose rather than bagged. Keep out plastic bags, plastic wrap, white Styrofoam, scrap metal, electronics, tires, and yard waste; they contaminate loads. Customer Convenience Centers take those plus household hazardous waste. Note that some municipalities, like Indian River Shores, have adopted their own mandatory recycling rules.

Violations & Fines

Homeowners in unincorporated areas face no fine for not recycling. Contaminated carts get tagged and skipped rather than emptied, and chronic contamination can prompt the hauler to pull a household's recycling cart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recycling mandatory in Indian River County?
Not in unincorporated areas. Florida sets a 75% recycling goal, but homeowners aren't fined for skipping it. Some towns like Indian River Shores have their own mandatory rules.
Why was my recycling cart left full?
It was likely contaminated. Plastic bags, film, Styrofoam, and garbage get whole carts tagged and skipped. Keep only clean paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and rigid plastics.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Indian River County

Bulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: BeekeepingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsFew RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Artificial TurfSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Native PlantsFew RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesFew Restrictions

All Indian River County rules

Florida rules heatmap·Compare Indian River County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview

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