Home Departments Public Works General Support/Services Division Solid Waste, Recyclables, Horticulture and Bulk Trash Removal Bulk Waste

Bulk Waste

Acceptable & Unacceptable Bulk Waste

BULKY WASTE includes, but is not limited to, wheels, tires, furniture such as sofas, desks, entertainment centers, tables, chairs, mattresses, carpet, incidental building materials, packing boxes, and containers, provided that the boxes and containers shall be broken down.

Unacceptable Items:

Bulk items too large to fit in the hopper of a rear load trash truck
Horticulture/Yard Waste
White Goods/Appliances

Residential Bulk Waste Pick-Up

Bulk waste, garbage, recycling, and yard waste are all collected on the same day. Go to the "Check Your Trash Day" Search Tool above to determine your pick-up day.

The following rules apply when placing bulk items out for disposal:

Bulk items should not be stacked.
Cardboard should be broken down and placed in the recycle bin.
All items need to be placed within 3 feet of the road.
Any item that can fit in a trash bin should be placed in the bin.
"Move-Outs" are not part of the normal bulk pick-up process and must be scheduled for removal. Note: A fee may be imposed.

Examples of bulk trash that IS in compliance:

The bulk trash items pictured are:

Set out neatly within three feet of the curb
Not stacked on top of each other
Easy for two people to pick up

Examples of bulk trash that IS NOT in compliance:

What's wrong with the bulk waste shown in these pictures?

Bulk waste has not all been placed within three feet of the road
Bulk trash and cardboard should not be stacked
Bulk trash contains small loose items and/or closed containers
Bulk waste is not neatly stacked and/or too close to totes

Examples of "Move-Outs":

"Move-Outs" are not part of the normal bulk pick-up process and must be scheduled for removal. Note: A fee may be imposed.

Bulk Waste Drop-Off Site for Residents

Map of Bulk Waste Site Location 1200 Kismet Parkway
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm
*Proof of residency may be required to dispose of items.

Bulk Waste Site Location at the west side of the North Cape Government Complex. The bulk waste drop-off site is located on the west side of the North Cape Government Complex. The address for the complex is 1200 Kismet Parkway; however, the bulk-drop off-site entrance is off NW 14th Avenue, at the western portion of the complex.

Acceptable Bulk Waste at Drop-Off Site

Regular garbage and recyclables are not accepted at the Drop-Off site.

Commercial businesses are not permitted to use the facility because the program is an optional complementary service for residential use only. Per City Code 9-18: Disposal of residue and rubbish of tree surgeons, fence companies, similar work: It shall be the responsibility of all fence companies, tree surgeons, nurseries and landscaping contractors, or any individual or company doing work on private property, to remove from the premises all residue and rubbish resulting from the work.

Construction debris is not accepted at this location, even if the debris is generated by a resident. The City of Cape Coral does not maintain a list of recommended drop-off sites for construction debris, but residents are encouraged to search online for private or municipal drop-off sites in their area.

Household chemical waste and recycling will also not be accepted at the 1200 Kismet Parkway drop-off location. For household chemicals, paints, and liquids residents can bring them to the Lee County Topaz Court Solid Waste Annex located at 6441 Topaz Court Fort Myers, FL 33966.

Full List of Bulk Waste Site Permissibles:

Acceptable Bulky Waste: Any debris that weighs more than 50 pounds or is of such bulk that it cannot fit into the cart, can, or refuse bag, excluding white goods. BULKY WASTE includes, but is not limited to, wheels, tires, furniture such as sofas, desks, entertainment centers, tables, chairs, mattresses, carpet, incidental building materials, packing boxes, and containers, provided that the boxes and containers shall be broken down.
Unacceptable Bulky Waste: Drop-off waste shall not include automotive vehicles or boats, vehicle components (excluding wheels and tires), liquid waste including paint, hazardous waste, or industrial waste. Construction and demolition debris, such as discarded building material, construction blocks, concrete, roofing, trees or tree stumps, tree limbs larger than four inches in diameter or longer than 6’ feet in length (except palm fronds), dirt, rock, plaster, lumber, metal or other like material originating from private property preliminary to, during or subsequent to the construction of a new building, alterations, additions or remodeling to the existing building of whatever type.
Acceptable White Goods: Household appliances, such as a refrigerator, washer, dryer, freezer, air conditioner, water heater, or similar items.
Acceptable Horticultural Waste: The products of pruning resulting in refuse not suitable for standard containers, but with stems or branches not exceeding four inches in diameter or six feet in length; or leaves, cuttings of grass, weeds and branches, and vines.
Unacceptable Horticultural Waste: Stone, dirt, land clearing, stumps, root balls, logs, or branches greater the 4” in diameter and longer than 6’ except for palm fronds.

Bulk Waste Events

The city partners with Waste Pro and Lee County's Solid Waste Division to offer semi-annual drop-off events to collect bulk items and household chemical waste (HCW). Waste will be collected in the City Hall parking lot at 1015 Cultural Park Boulevard from 7-11 a.m. :

November 1, 2025
May 2, 2026

These events give residents another way to dispose of large items and a safe and responsible way to dispose of HCW. Residents should drop off items at the main entrance to City Hall on Cultural Park Blvd. Materials for drop-off will be collected from vehicle trunks and truck beds.

Proof of residency may be required to drop off items. Photo IDs with a Cape Coral address and Cape Coral utility bills from an active account are acceptable items to prove your residency.

Items that will be accepted at the event include:

Drain cleaners and pool chemicals
Pesticides/herbicides
Liquid paint and thinners
Polishes and strippers
Fluorescent tubes
Electronics
Car and boat batteries
Automotive oil
Gas propane tanks

No white goods will be accepted.

For Household Chemicals, paints, and liquids residents can also bring them to the Lee County Topaz Court Solid Waste Annex located at 6441 Topaz Court Fort Myers, FL 33966.