North Port, FL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Cans/bottles prep
- Drained of liquid, food residue
- Cardboard prep
- Flattened, cut to fit container
- Pizza boxes
- Flattened, liner and food removed
- Container rule
- Only city-issued recycling container
- Governing sections
- City Code §§ 62-47, 62-48
Summary
North Port requires residents to drain and clean cans, bottles, and food containers, flatten cardboard, and remove liners from pizza boxes before curbside recycling pickup.
(4)Cans, bottles, and food containers. All cans, bottles and food containers shall be drained of liquid and free of food residue before being deposited for recycling collection.(5)Cardboard. Cardboard shall be flattened and cut down to fit in the automated recycling container.(6)Pizza boxes and paperboard food boxes. Pizza boxes and paperboard food boxes shall be flattened and have any liner and food removed before placing for recycling collection.(7)Tree trimmings and foliage. For removal on any scheduled pickup day, tree trimmings, hedge clippings and other foliage which originated at the residence shall be cut in lengths not to exceed four feet, securely tied in bundles not more than two feet thick and not exceeding 35 pounds.(8)Bulk waste.a.Persons wishing to dispose of bulk waste shall schedule the collection of said item(s) through the solid waste division. Each residential unit shall receive two free bulk collections each fiscal year starting October 1. Bulk collections are limited to five cubic yards each.b.Bulk collections in excess of two per fiscal year shall be charged at rates as adopted by the city.c.Bulk items shall not be placed curbside for collection prior to receiving a collection date from the division. (Code 1990, § 132-6; Ord. No. 07-40, § 1(1.03), 10-9-2007; Ord. No. 08-30, § 1.05, 6-9-2008; Ord. No. 2017-02, § 2.01, 4-25-2017)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of the City: Supplement 65 | Unified Land Development Code: Supplement 22).
Full Breakdown
North Port's solid waste division requires cans, bottles, and food containers to be drained of liquid and free of food residue before recycling collection. Cardboard must be flattened and cut down to fit inside the automated recycling container, and pizza boxes or paperboard food boxes must be flattened with any liner and leftover food removed before collection. Residents must place recyclables in the curbside location the city authorizes, using only city-provided recycling containers: automated recycling containers and cardboard boxes themselves cannot be used to hold solid waste or yard waste.
Violations & Fines
Using a city-owned recycling container for any purpose other than recycling storage, damaging it, or failing to return it is unlawful and a violation of Chapter 62.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put loose cardboard boxes out for recycling in North Port?
Do greasy pizza boxes count as recyclable cardboard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in North Port
Florida rules heatmap·Compare North Port to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sarasota County handle recycling requirements.