Fort Myers, FL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential
- Curbside recycling offered by city
- If declined
- Must self-deliver to a facility
- Commercial
- Hauler contract or self-deliver
- C&D debris
- City collection service only
- Penalty
- $100-$500 per offense per day
Summary
City of Fort Myers offers curbside recycling collection to residential users; if declined, residents must deliver program recyclables to a recycling facility themselves. Commercial users must contract with a hauler or deliver recyclables to a facility in Lee County.
(a)Program recyclables.(1)Residential users within the city shall be offered curbside collection service as provided by the city. If such service is declined, the user shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, all their program recyclables to a recycling facility that processes such program recyclables.(2)Commercial users may either contract with a private hauler for collection services of all source-separated recyclable materials, which shall be delivered to a recycling facility, or deliver directly, or cause to be delivered, such recyclable materials to a recycling facility within the county.(b)Recyclable construction and demolition debris. Commercial and residential users shall contract for city collection service for all non-source-separated construction and demolition debris. (Ord. No. 3502, § 1, 3-2-2009)
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
Under Fort Myers Code of Ordinances § 70-51, in Chapter 70's collection article, residential curbside recycling is offered by the city; residents who decline curbside service must personally deliver their program recyclables to a facility that processes them. Commercial users have two options: contract with a private hauler for collection of source-separated recyclable materials (delivered to a recycling facility), or deliver recyclables directly to a facility within Lee County. Recyclable construction and demolition debris is treated differently, both commercial and residential generators of non-source-separated construction and demolition debris must contract for the city's own collection service rather than self-hauling that material.
Violations & Fines
Violating this article's recycling and collection rules is a misdemeanor under Sec. 70-54: fines run $100 to $500 per offense per day, and the city can pursue any combination of remedies against a noncompliant person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fort Myers require residents to recycle?
Can Fort Myers businesses skip recycling pickup?
What's the penalty for violating Fort Myers's recycling rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Myers
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