Fort Myers, FL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Effective date
- January 1, 2010
- Residential collector
- City-run only
- Business pickup minimum
- Every 2 weeks
- Max civil fine
- $500 per violation/day
Summary
Fort Myers requires every residential, commercial and multi-family property to separate recyclable materials from trash and set them out for collection, with the city as the mandatory hauler for residential and multi-family recycling.
Effective January 1, 2010, every owner, lessee or occupant of residential property shall separate recyclable materials from other mixed municipal solid waste and shall set recyclable materials out for collection in the manner and at such frequency as shall be prescribed by the city's director of public works or designee, or shall deliver the recyclable materials to a recycling facility approved by the public works director or designee.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 60).
Full Breakdown
Since January 1, 2010, owners, lessees and occupants of residential property in Fort Myers must separate recyclables from other solid waste and set them out for collection on the schedule set by the public works director, or self-haul to an approved recycling facility. Residential and multi-family properties must use the city for recycling collection; businesses must set up an on-site program, recycle at least one material, and contract for pickup at least every two weeks. Commercial and multi-family collection under the mandatory recycling program must occur at least weekly.
Violations & Fines
Owners get 20 business days after notice of a violation to respond before enforcement proceeds; continued noncompliance draws a civil fine of up to $500 per violation, assessed for each day the violation continues, enforced by the solid waste division, community development department, or police.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Fort Myers residents choose their own recycling hauler?
What happens if a Fort Myers property doesn't recycle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Myers
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Fort Myers to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Lee County handle recycling requirements.