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.
Buckingham Dump Fees (FY 2025–2026)
Current per-ton gate rates at the Buckingham Resource Recovery Facility, effective for Lee County’s FY 2025–2026 fiscal year. These are the rates weighed and charged at the scale — confirm with Lee County Solid Waste (239-533-8000) before a large load, since rates are set annually and can change.
| Material | Rate |
|---|---|
| Municipal solid waste (MSW) / household trash | $69.83 per ton |
| Construction & demolition (C&D) debris | $67.78 per ton |
| Yard waste / vegetation | $42.37 per ton |
| Residential horticulture waste (bypass rate) | $34.83 per ton |
| Tires (standard passenger/light truck) | $225 per ton |
| Tires (oversized/XL — tractor, commercial) | $250 per ton |
| Residential drop-off (flat minimum) | $15 minimum |
Most small residential loads — a pickup truck bed or single-axle trailer of household junk — land close to the $15 minimum. Heavier loads (full truck, trailer piled with construction debris) are weighed and billed at the per-ton rate above.
Gate Cutoff & Late Fees — Don’t Get Caught at Closing
Arrive 30 Minutes Before Close
Buckingham requires vehicles to enter the gate at least 30 minutes before posted closing — 5:30 PM on weekdays, 11:30 AM on Saturdays. Arrive after that cutoff and you may be turned away for the day.
$10 Per 5 Minutes If You’re Still Unloading
If your vehicle is still on the scale or in the unloading area after closing time, the facility charges a late fee of $10 for every 5 minutes over. Give yourself extra time, especially with a full or mixed load that takes longer to sort.
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).
Policy change: asphalt shingles are no longer accepted at Buckingham. Roofing shingles cannot be dropped off at the Buckingham Resource Recovery Facility. Shingles now have to go to the Lee/Hendry Regional Landfill (5500 Church Road, Felda) instead. This is a recent change and many general guides online still list Buckingham as accepting shingles — call ahead or confirm with Lee County Solid Waste (239-533-8000) before hauling a roofing tear-off to Buckingham, or you’ll be turned around at the gate.
Fees
Tipping fees are assessed by weight. See the Buckingham Dump Fees (FY 2025–2026) table above for current per-ton gate rates: $69.83/ton for household trash (MSW), $67.78/ton for construction & demolition debris, and $42.37/ton for yard waste. Most small residential loads land close to the $15 minimum. Rates are set annually — check the Lee County Solid Waste website or call (239) 533-8000 to confirm before a large trip.
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
- You must enter the gate at least 30 minutes before closing (5:30 PM weekdays, 11:30 AM Saturdays) — arrive early or you may be turned away, and a $10-per-5-minute late fee applies if you’re still unloading after close
- Got a roofing tear-off? Asphalt shingles are no longer accepted at Buckingham — take them to the Lee/Hendry Regional Landfill 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, concrete, and renovation debris. Asphalt shingles are no longer accepted at Buckingham — take roofing tear-offs to the Lee/Hendry Regional Landfill instead. 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? A truck and crew handle the heavy lifting
- 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 — for FY 2025–2026, household trash (MSW) is $69.83 per ton, construction & demolition debris is $67.78 per ton, and yard waste is $42.37 per ton, with a $15 minimum for small residential drop-offs. See the fee table above for the full breakdown. Rates are set annually, so confirm with Lee County Solid Waste (239-533-8000) before a large 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.
How do I dispose of a mattress in Lee County?
You’ve got three main options: put it out with a scheduled curbside bulk pickup (call your hauler to confirm a date), take it to the Buckingham Resource Recovery Facility yourself and pay the gate fee, or skip the trip and have it picked up. See the full mattress disposal guide for step-by-step instructions, what it costs, and how to handle bed frames and box springs at the same time.
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.