Guide
What can't go in a dumpster
Roll-off loads go to landfills, recyclers and the county's waste-to-energy plant, none of which want liquids, chemicals or refrigerant. Each company has its own list, but the items below are refused almost everywhere.
Where each item goes instead
| Item | Where it goes in Lee County |
|---|---|
| Paint, stain, thinner | Topaz Court household chemical facility |
| Pool and spa chemicals, pesticides, drain cleaner | Topaz Court |
| Car and boat batteries, motor oil, gas cans | Topaz Court |
| Propane tanks, fluorescent tubes | Topaz Court |
| Computers, TVs, monitors, printers | Topaz Court, or beside your garbage in unincorporated Lee County |
| Refrigerators, freezers, AC units | City or county appliance pickup, or Cape Coral's bulk site |
| Car tires | County curbside (two a week), or Cape Coral’s bulk site |
Topaz Court, the drop-off for most of it
Lee County's Household Chemical Waste and Electronics Recycling Facility is at 6441 Topaz Court in Fort Myers, east of Metro Parkway and north of Crystal Drive. It's open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of each month. It's a drive-through stop, it shuts during thunderstorms, and the phone is 239-533-8000.
Keep containers closed and upright in the car, and don't mix leftovers together.
Why a fridge is different
Refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and window AC units hold refrigerant that has to be recovered before the metal is scrapped. Inside Fort Myers, white goods go out with the weekly city collection. In unincorporated Lee County, the hauler tags a large appliance at the curb and collects it within three business days. Remove or tape the doors first.
Ask the company about these
Some companies take these for an added charge, and some refuse them:
- Mattresses and box springs
- Tires on rims
- Water heaters and dishwashers
- Railroad ties and treated lumber
- Large amounts of yard waste mixed with trash
Fort Myers and nearby Lee County
Get a size, a drop-off date and a price
Tell the company what you're throwing out, which spot on the property you have in mind and how many days you need it. Booking is up to you.
Rent by phone
You'll speak with an independent local dumpster rental company. Have the address and a rough list of what's going in.
Call (239) 312-9438Phone hours: Monday–Saturday 8 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Eastern time
You speak with an independent company, not with this website. See the referral disclosure.