Bulk Trash Pickup in Lee & Collier County: What’s Covered, What’s Not, and What to Do Instead
A practical guide to curbside bulk pickup, what the county won’t take, and how to get rid of everything else — fast.
How Bulk Pickup Works in Lee County
Lee County provides free curbside bulk pickup for unincorporated areas and most municipalities through its solid waste franchise haulers. Here’s how it works:
- Frequency: Once per week, on your regular trash collection day. Most haulers pick up bulk items alongside normal garbage — no separate scheduling needed.
- Item limit: Up to 6 bulk items per week in most areas. Items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day.
- What counts as “bulk”: Furniture, mattresses, large toys, grills, exercise equipment, water heaters — essentially items too big for your garbage can but not construction debris or hazardous waste.
The City of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and Sanibel each have their own collection schedules and rules. If you’re inside city limits, check your municipal hauler’s guidelines — they may differ from the county program.
What About Collier County?
Collier County (Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee, Golden Gate) uses a call-ahead system for bulk pickup. Residents in unincorporated Collier must contact their hauler (typically Waste Management or WCA) to schedule a pickup date — items left at the curb without scheduling may not be collected.
- Naples: Contact the City of Naples Solid Waste at (239) 213-4700 to schedule.
- Marco Island: Republic Services handles collection — call (239) 642-7997.
- Unincorporated Collier: Call your franchise hauler directly.
Like Lee County, Collier’s bulk pickup covers household items only — no construction debris, appliances containing refrigerant, electronics, or hazardous materials.
What Curbside Bulk Pickup Won’t Take
These items are excluded from county and municipal bulk pickup programs across Southwest Florida. Each one requires a different disposal path.
Refrigerant Appliances
Refrigerators, freezers, and AC units require EPA-certified Freon recovery before disposal. The county won’t touch them at the curb.
Construction & Remodel Debris
Drywall, tile, lumber, roofing, concrete — this is contractor waste, not household bulk. It requires a dumpster rental or professional hauling.
Electronics (E-Waste)
TVs, monitors, computers, and printers contain heavy metals. Lee County accepts them free at the Buckingham Resource Recovery Facility. See our e-waste disposal guide.
Tires
Lee County charges $3–$5 per tire at the landfill. Curbside won’t take them. Tire retailers often accept old tires with a new purchase.
Paint & Chemicals
Latex paint can dry and go in regular trash. Oil-based paint, solvents, and chemicals must go to a household hazardous waste collection event.
Yard Waste Over Limits
Small amounts go in yard-waste bags or cans. Large piles from tree trimming or storm cleanup need a separate hauler or drop-off at the Buckingham landfill.
Mattresses (Sometimes)
Some haulers take mattresses curbside; others require them to be wrapped in plastic. If yours won’t, see our mattress disposal guide.
When Curbside Pickup Isn’t Enough
Bulk pickup is great for a couple of pieces of furniture or a broken grill — but it has real limits. Here’s when homeowners typically need something more:
- More than 6 items: Downsizing, estate clearing, or a big declutter can easily exceed the weekly limit. At 6 items per week, clearing a full garage could take a month or more.
- Mixed loads: If your pile includes appliances, electronics, and regular bulk items, you’d need to sort them into 3+ disposal streams — curbside, landfill drop-off, and a hazmat event.
- Time-sensitive cleanouts: Selling a home, closing an estate, or turning a rental? You can’t wait weeks for curbside to chip away at the pile.
- Heavy or awkward items: Hot tubs, sheds, pool equipment, concrete — nothing the curbside crew will touch.
For everything curbside won’t cover, request a quote and it’s handled in a single visit — sorted, hauled, donated where possible, and disposed of properly. No item limits, no scheduling delays.
Free & Low-Cost Alternatives in Lee County
Before calling a hauler, check whether any of these free or low-cost options fit your situation:
| Option | What It Covers | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Curbside bulk pickup | Up to 6 household items/week | Free (included in waste bill) |
| Buckingham landfill drop-off | Most household items, yard waste, small remodel loads | ~$40/ton (min $10) + $3 gate fee |
| Habitat for Humanity ReStore | Furniture, cabinets, fixtures in good condition | Free (tax-deductible donation) |
| Goodwill / Salvation Army | Smaller items, clothing, working electronics | Free (tax-deductible donation) |
| Scrap metal yards | Metal appliances, old grills, AC units | Free or cash paid to you |
Professional junk removal makes sense when you’re over the curbside limit, dealing with items the county won’t accept, or need everything gone in one shot.
How It Works
Tell us what’s going
A quick call or a few photos.
Get an upfront price
You approve it before anything moves.
It’s hauled away
A local crew loads up and sweeps the spot clean.
Guides for Specific Items
Need to get rid of something specific? These guides break down the options, costs, and rules for the items Southwest Florida homeowners deal with most.
Appliance Disposal
Fridges, washers, dryers — what it costs and how Freon is handled.
Mattress Disposal
Where mattresses can go and what curbside won’t accept.
Paint, Electronics & Tires
The hazardous items that need special handling in Lee County.
Lee County Landfill Guide
Hours, fees, accepted items, and what to expect at the gate.
What Can’t Go in the Trash
The full list of items banned from regular garbage in SW Florida.
Areas We Serve
Professional junk removal is available across Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Naples, North Fort Myers, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Punta Gorda, and Marco Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bulk items can I put at the curb per week in Lee County?
Most Lee County franchise haulers allow up to 6 bulk items per week, placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your regular collection day. Items must be household goods — no construction debris, hazardous waste, or refrigerant-containing appliances.
Does Collier County have free bulk pickup?
Yes, but it’s call-ahead only. Unincorporated Collier residents must contact their franchise hauler to schedule a bulk pickup date. The City of Naples and Marco Island have their own schedules.
Can I put a refrigerator at the curb for bulk pickup?
No. Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners contain refrigerant that must be professionally recovered per EPA Section 608 before disposal. Curbside crews can’t handle this. A junk removal service includes Freon recovery in the price.
What if I have more than 6 items to get rid of?
At 6 items per week, a full garage or estate cleanout could take a month through curbside alone. A professional junk removal service handles unlimited items in a single visit — request a quote for same-day or next-day pickup.
Is it cheaper to take stuff to the landfill myself?
The Buckingham landfill charges about $40 per ton with a $10 minimum plus a $3 gate fee. For a truck bed of furniture, you might spend $15–$25 plus your time and fuel. For larger loads or mixed items (some of which the landfill won’t accept), professional hauling is often the more practical option.
Do I need to sort my junk before a pickup?
No. A professional junk removal crew sorts on-site — donatable items go to local charities, recyclable metals go to scrap, electronics are handled separately, and the rest goes to the appropriate disposal facility.