Sarasota, FL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

City Code Sec. 16-17 makes recycling by source separation mandatory for every "residential user" and "commercial user" in the City of Sarasota. Residential users must accumulate recyclable materials in containers approved by the city manager and place them at the curb on their designated collection day. Commercial users that are multifamily dwellings must work with the city manager to develop a site-specific recycling plan covering education, in-building collection methods, container types and sizes, pickup frequency and transport equipment; other commercial users must likewise develop a plan with the city manager covering collection frequency and container size, and must contract with a private hauler for the service (Sec.

16-17(a)-(c)). Sec. 16-18 layers on a source-separation duty: solid waste, yard waste/yard trash, and recyclable materials must be kept in three separate streams, corrugated cardboard must be broken down and flattened at the curb, and it is unlawful to commingle yard waste with any other matter; a household or business that fails to separate can be billed for a special collection at the section 16-27(14) rate. Sec. 16-20 requires anyone who transports or disposes of recyclable materials collected in the city, other than the resident or an authorized collector, to first obtain a special permit from the city manager, and requires monthly reports (due by the 10th of the following month) on the type, weight, volume and disposition of recyclables collected.

Since October 1, 2006 the residential recycling fee is folded into the monthly utility bill under Sec. 16-21, so there is no separate recycling charge unless yard waste is commingled or improperly prepared.