Lee County Landfill & Recycling Guide for Residents
Where to drop off trash, recycling, electronics, tires, and hazardous waste across Lee County — all in one place.
Your Complete Guide to Lee County Waste & Recycling Facilities
Lee County has several waste disposal and recycling facilities, but finding the right one for what you need to get rid of isn’t always straightforward — information is spread across multiple county web pages, and the rules vary by material type. This guide puts it all in one place: where to go, what’s accepted, and when each facility is open.
Whether you’re cleaning out a garage, dealing with old electronics, getting rid of tires, or disposing of household chemicals, this page tells you which facility handles it — so you can get it done in one trip.
Need it all picked up instead? If hauling it yourself isn’t practical — or you’ve got more than a car load — request a junk removal quote and it’s taken care of. SunCoast Haulers handles bulk pickups across Lee County.
Lee County Waste Facilities at a Glance
The main facilities residents use for drop-offs. Always confirm hours with Lee County Solid Waste before visiting, as schedules can change around holidays.
Resource Recovery Facility (Buckingham)
The primary drop-off for household trash, bulky items, yard waste, and construction debris. Located at 10500 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers. Generally open Mon–Fri 6 AM – 6 PM, Sat 6 AM – Noon. Tipping fees apply by weight. Check with Lee County Solid Waste for current rates.
Topaz Court Household Chemical & Electronics
The place for hazardous household waste (paint, chemicals, solvents, pesticides) and electronics (TVs, computers, monitors, printers). Located on Topaz Court, Fort Myers. Generally open Mon–Fri 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, plus the first Saturday of each month 8 AM – Noon. Free for Lee County residents.
Lee/Hendry Regional Landfill
The main regional landfill, located at 5500 Church Road, Felda. Primarily for large-volume commercial and construction loads. Generally open Mon–Fri 7 AM – 4 PM, Sat 7 AM – Noon. Residential drop-offs accepted but Buckingham is closer and more convenient for most residents.
Reuse Center
Accepts usable household items for reuse and resale — furniture, working appliances, building materials. Located near the Buckingham facility. A good option before the landfill if your items still have life in them.
Buckingham Landfill — Lee County’s Main Drop-Off
The Buckingham Resource Recovery Facility is where most Lee County residents take items that don’t belong in curbside pickup — furniture, appliances, yard waste, construction debris, and more.
Location & Directions
Address: 10500 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, FL 33905
The facility is in the Buckingham area, east of Fort Myers proper. From downtown Fort Myers, take Colonial Boulevard east; it becomes State Road 82. Turn right onto Buckingham Road — the facility entrance is about 2 miles south on the left. From Cape Coral or North Fort Myers, take I-75 south to Exit 131 (SR 82 / Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd), then head east to Buckingham Road.
The facility shares the area with the Lee County Habitat for Humanity ReStore and the adjacent composting operation, so you may see signs for all three.
Hours
Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Noon)
Sunday: Closed
Holidays: Hours may vary — check with Lee County Solid Waste before visiting on holiday weekends.
What Buckingham Accepts
- Household trash & bulky items — furniture, mattresses, large household items that don’t fit curbside
- Yard waste & vegetation — tree trimmings, palm fronds, sod, landscape debris (separated from other waste)
- Construction & demolition debris — drywall, lumber, tile, roofing, concrete, renovation debris
- Tires — accepted in larger quantities (curbside limits to 2/week off-rim)
- Appliances — refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, water heaters
- Scrap metal — accepted and diverted for recycling
Not accepted at Buckingham: Hazardous household chemicals, paint, solvents, batteries, and electronics go to the Topaz Court HCW facility instead (6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers — see above).
Fees
Tipping fees are assessed by weight. Residential loads are typically weighed at the gate and charged at the current per-ton rate set by Lee County Solid Waste. For small loads (a pickup truck or trailer), expect roughly $30–$60 depending on weight. Larger loads (full truck or multiple trips) will cost more. Exact rates are updated periodically — check the Lee County Solid Waste website or call (239) 533-8000 for current pricing.
Tips for Your Visit
- Arrive early, especially on Saturdays — the facility can get busy and closes at noon
- Separate your load: yard waste, construction debris, and household trash go to different areas
- Bring a tarp or tie-down — loose items in an open truck bed aren’t allowed on public roads
- Check the banned items list before loading — some items need to go to Topaz Court instead
What Goes Where: Quick Reference
Not sure which facility to use? Here’s a breakdown by material type:
Regular household trash & bulky items — Buckingham Resource Recovery Facility or your regular curbside pickup. Oversized items that won’t fit in your bin (furniture, mattresses, large boxes) can go to Buckingham.
Yard waste & vegetation — Curbside pickup handles most yard waste. Larger loads (storm debris, tree removal) go to Buckingham. Must be separated from household trash and construction debris.
Construction & demolition debris — Buckingham or the Lee/Hendry Regional Landfill. Includes drywall, lumber, tile, roofing (check current rules on shingle acceptance), concrete, and renovation debris. Tipping fees apply by weight.
Household hazardous waste — Topaz Court ONLY. Includes paint (latex and oil-based), solvents, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, automotive fluids, cleaning chemicals, propane tanks, and fluorescent bulbs. Never put these in your regular trash or curbside recycling.
Electronics & e-waste — Topaz Court. TVs, computer monitors, printers, cell phones, and other electronics contain materials that can’t go in the regular trash. Free for residents.
Tires — Up to 2 tires per week can go out with curbside trash (must be off the rim). Larger quantities go to Buckingham. No commercial tire loads accepted curbside.
Batteries — Household batteries (AA, AAA, etc.) can go in regular trash in Florida. Car batteries and lithium batteries should go to Topaz Court or an auto parts store.
Appliances with freon — Refrigerators, freezers, and AC units containing refrigerant must have freon properly removed before disposal. Many appliance dealers and junk removal services handle this. Do not attempt to vent freon yourself — it’s federally regulated.
Mattresses — Curbside bulk pickup or Buckingham. See our mattress disposal guide for all options.
Medical sharps & medications — Sharps containers go to designated drop-off locations (check with Lee County or local fire stations). Unused medications can be dropped at Lee County Sheriff’s Office collection sites — do not flush or trash them.
Curbside Pickup: What You Should Know
Most Lee County residents have regular curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup. A few things to keep in mind:
- Container size: Standard bins are typically 40 gallons. If you have more than fits in the bin, call your waste hauler about extra pickups or take the overflow to Buckingham.
- Set-out time: Bins should be out by 6:30 AM on your collection day.
- Bulk items: Most haulers will pick up a limited number of bulky items (furniture, appliances) on your regular collection day — but call ahead to schedule it. Items that are too large or heavy may need a special pickup or a trip to Buckingham.
- Recycling: Single-stream recycling (paper, cardboard, plastics #1–#7, aluminum, glass) goes in the recycling bin. No plastic bags, food-contaminated containers, or Styrofoam.
- Yard waste: Containerized or bundled, separate from trash. Branches must typically be cut to 4 feet or shorter.
For large-volume cleanouts, renovation debris, or anything that won’t fit in curbside pickup, full-service junk removal is the fastest option — one call and it’s handled.
Free Mulch & Compost
Lee County offers free mulch to residents at several locations throughout the county — a good resource for landscaping projects. Check the Lee County Solid Waste website for current locations and availability, as sites and hours can change. Mulch is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and residents typically need to load it themselves.
Why SunCoast Haulers
When self-hauling isn’t practical, SunCoast Haulers handles the trip for you.
- Bulk pickup — more than a car load? We bring the truck and muscle
- Electronics, appliances, tires, mattresses — all taken care of in one load
- No need to sort what goes where — we handle proper disposal and recycling
- Same-day and next-day pickup available across Lee County
- Upfront pricing — know the cost before anything moves
- Donation-first approach — usable items go to local charities
Related Services & Guides
More resources for getting rid of specific items across Southwest Florida.
Junk Removal Services
Full-service junk pickup across SW Florida.
Furniture & Appliance Removal
Pickup and disposal for large items.
Construction Debris Removal
Post-renovation and remodel cleanup.
What Can’t Go in the Trash?
Banned items and how to handle them.
How to Dispose of Old Appliances
Freon rules, recycling, and pickup options.
Mattress Disposal Guide
All your options for getting rid of a mattress.
How Much Does Junk Removal Cost?
Pricing breakdown for SW Florida.
Hurricane Debris Removal
Storm cleanup guidance for homeowners.
Areas We Serve
This guide covers Lee County facilities. Residents of Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Estero, North Fort Myers, Punta Gorda (Charlotte County), and surrounding communities can use these facilities or request a pickup instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to drop off trash at Buckingham?
Yes — the Buckingham Resource Recovery Facility charges tipping fees based on the weight of your load. Fees can vary, so check with Lee County Solid Waste for current rates before your trip. Household hazardous waste and electronics drop-off at Topaz Court is free for Lee County residents.
Can I drop off electronics and old TVs for free?
Yes — the Topaz Court Household Chemical & Electronics Collection facility accepts TVs, monitors, computers, printers, and other electronics at no charge for Lee County residents. This is the only proper disposal option for e-waste in Lee County.
What do I do with old paint?
Latex and oil-based paint should be taken to the Topaz Court facility — never pour paint down drains or put cans in regular trash. If you have a large amount of paint (e.g., from a renovation), Topaz Court handles it at no charge for residents.
Where do I take old tires?
You can put up to 2 tires per week (off the rim) out with your regular curbside trash. Larger quantities should be taken to the Buckingham Resource Recovery Facility. Tire shops also accept old tires when you’re buying replacements.
What if I have too much stuff for my car?
If you’ve got more than a car load — or heavy items like furniture, appliances, or construction debris — request a junk removal quote. SunCoast Haulers picks up across Lee County and handles proper disposal, recycling, and donation so you don’t have to make multiple trips.