Bulk Waste

What is bulk waste? 

Bulk waste collection is intended for items that are too large to fit inside the garbage cart. Bulk waste are items such as boxes, barrels, crates, furniture, mattresses, wood, exercise equipment, swing sets and basketball goals (broken down), refrigerators, stoves and other household appliances.

Acceptable curbside bulk waste items

• Boxes
• Barrels
• Crates
• Furniture
• Mattresses
• Wood
• Exercise equipment
• Swing sets and basketball goals (broken down)
• Refrigerators
• Stoves and other household appliances

Bulk items not accepted curbside

• Materials from commercial waste haulers and contractors
• Tree limbs exceeding 6 inches in diameter or root balls exceeding 50 pounds
• Land clearing debris
• Bagged household garbage
• Hazardous materials such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, sharps/needles, gasoline and oil, spray paint, stains, thinners, solvents, biological waste and radioactive waste, including smoke alarms/detectors
• Automotive, boat, RV or trailer parts
• Engines
• Any gas-powered equipment that must have the fuel drained
• Propane, acetylene and helium tanks
• Oil paint (Latex must have lids off and paint dry/hardened.)

Frequently Asked Bulk Waste Questions

When will bulky waste be picked up?

Bulk trash will be collected once per month. Items accepted for bulk trash pickup include appliances, furniture, carpet, mattresses and toys. If you cannot wait for your collection day, you may schedule an appointment for pick-up. There is a fee for this service.

 What is the limit for bulky waste?

The limit will be two cubic yards per month. One cubic yard is equivalent to a front load washing machine or a standard oven.

 Can you schedule pickup for bulk waste?

Yes, call 1PSL 772-871-1775 to schedule additional bulk pickup. The price to the resident will be $18.50 per cubic yard for pickup and disposal. Residents can use a hauler of their choice and schedule a pickup at their convenience.  Residents may also utilize the City’s Drop-Off Center located at the corner of Cameo Blvd. and Crosstown Pkwy. for disposal of these items at no additional cost.

Garbage/Trash

FCC will utilize an automated garbage collection process for the City of Port St. Lucie to make pickup easier and far more reliable than the old rear-loading trucks, which require less labor.

Residents will be required to use their new City-issued garbage cart to coincide with the automated collection.

The new cart has a larger capacity than a standard cart, two wheels for easy maneuvering and a lid to keep things tidy. Advanced automated garbage trucks equipped with a lifting mechanism on the side will pick up your new cart and empty the contents into the truck. This operation allows the collection of garbage to be more efficient, which stabilizes costs, improves service and reduces work-related injuries.

What can I put in the garbage cart?

Most household items can go into your new cart as long as they fit.

All garbage must be bagged. Garbage carts will remain cleaner and more sanitary if all waste is placed in a tied trash bag before placement.

Examples of items to be disposed:

• Dirty take-out containers
• Tissues, napkins, paper plates and shredder paper
• Meat, dairy and food waste
• Cat litter or animal waste
• Food wrappers
• Cigarette butts
• Diapers
• Packing peanuts
• Pizza boxes
• Single-use alkaline batteries

There are some things just don’t belong:

• Please DO NOT place any liquids, paints, certain batteries, propane tanks, explosives, or corrosives in your container. These items are prohibited because they can cause property damage or equipment damage or injury to collection personnel.
• Do not mix garbage and yard waste; they must be in a separate container.
• Avoid placing special waste in your cart, for example: compact fluorescent light bulbs, electronics, and hazardous waste such as paint, motor oil, pesticides, herbicides and car batteries. No auto parts, boat parts, or empty gasoline cans. Learn more about household hazardous waste.

 

Frequently asked Garbage Questions

Why can’t I use my current garbage cart?
There are several reasons why residents must use the provided carts for the new, automated garbage collection, and not use their own:

• With the new system, the garbage truck drivers are instructed to only pick up the city-issued garbage carts. Since residents can use any cart they want for yard waste, this is the only way the drivers do not risk mixing garbage and yard waste together, which will create contamination issues. With this system drivers clearly know garbage is in the city-issued cart and yard waste is in any other type of cart put by the curb.
• The automated trucks are calibrated to the exact specifications of the standardized carts. Servicing random types of carts will simply not work 100% of the time and could likely result in damaging the customer-provided cart when it is lifted or returned to the ground.
• Finally, when residents need more capacity, they must pay for this additional service to make the service equitable for all residents. Having a second City-issued cart provides verification that the contractor is being compensated for providing the additional service.

What do I do if an item is not picked up?
Any time an item is not picked up it will be tagged with an explanation as to why and what needs to be done so that it can be removed. 

What are the dimensions of the new garbage cart?
The 96-gallon garbage cart is 43.2 inches high, 23 inches wide, and 32.1 inches deep. The new 96-gallon cart holds up to seven, 13-gallon garbage bags which provides a similar capacity to what most households use for the current twice-per-week service.

Can I swap out my garbage cart for a different size? 
Yes, however there will be a one-time fee of $75 for swapping carts through the hauler.

Can I request an additional cart and what is the cost?
Additional carts will be available for a monthly fee. An additional garbage cart will cost a household $6.22 and a recycling cart will cost $5.19. This monthly additional cost includes the cart, delivery and the additional collection service. Residents can request the additional cart by (772) 871-1775 

What do you recommend about odor and bugs with the once-a-week service?
Residents that are concerned about food waste should consider bagging and tying these items before discarding them into the garbage cart. The new cart has a tight fitting, secure lid that should eliminate most odors.

Why can’t residents take their trash to the City voluntary drop-off site?
Yard waste, bulky waste and recyclables are the only materials accepted at the City drop-off site. Facilities that store, treat, or dispose of hazardous or solid waste are required to obtain a permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Cameo voluntary drop-off site is not a permitted site.

Why isn’t the cost of the new garbage cart free?
This automated service requires the purchase of new garbage carts in order to work with the automated trucks. This cost will be a part of the solid waste fee on your property tax bill.

 

Household Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste exhibits one or more characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity, making it dangerous. Paint products, pool chemicals, household cleaners and pesticides are typical examples. When disposed of in the municipal solid waste stream or otherwise improperly managed, these materials have the potential of contaminating the ground water – our drinking water supply.

Household hazardous waste cannot be picked up with regular household garbage, but can be disposed of in two ways:

1. The St. Lucie County Sanitary Landfill (located at 6120 Glades Cutoff Road, Ft. Pierce) is a 331-acre site that receives and processes solid waste products from residents and commercial properties year-round in St. Lucie County. Call 772-462-1768 for hours and for information about what will be accepted.
2. The Public Works Department hosts a free Hazardous Household Waste Collection Day twice a year. The department also has free drop-off sites at city buildings for rechargeable batteries (cell phones, etc.). Call 772-871-5100 for more information.

Acceptable Hazardous Waste Items

• Automotive Fluids & Fuels (Antifreeze, Gas, Motor Oil) in containers no larger than 5 gallons and limited to no more than (3) three 5-gallon containers per household per day
• Cleaners & Polishes in containers no larger than 5 gallons or over 100 pounds
• Cooking Oil/Grease/Fat in clean containers no larger than 5 gallons (do not mix with any other liquids, remove food/bones, and label containers as “Cooking Oil”)
• Fertilizer, Herbicides, Pesticides in containers no larger than 5 gallons or over 100 pounds
• Fire Extinguishers
• Helium Tanks (14.9 cu. ft. or smaller)
• Kerosene, Lamp Oil, Lighter Fluid in containers no larger than 5 gallons
• Oil-Based Paints, Stains, Thinners, Solvents in containers no larger than 5 gallons
• Pool & Spa Chemicals in containers no larger than 5 gallons or over 100 pounds
• Rechargeable Batteries – Please note: Single-use Alkaline batteries can be put in your garbage
• Vehicle Batteries (Wet Cell Lead Acid Batteries)

 

Prohibited Materials and Quantity Limits

•  Acetylene Tanks
• Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, Flares
• Biological Wastes
• Business* Generated Hazardous Waste
• Containers larger than 5 gallons
• Latex Paint** Please see disposal information below.
• Medication (call the Sheriff’s office for details 772-462-7300)
• Out-of-County Waste
• Over (3) three 5 gallon containers of Antifreeze, Gas and Motor Oil per household per day
• Over 100 pounds of dry/granular material per household per day
• Radioactive Waste including Smoke Alarms/Detectors
• Sharps/Needles (call the Health Dept. 772-873-4931)
• X-Rays (contact a local hospital or clinic)

 

Report Illicit Discharge

 To Report an illicit discharge within the City of Port St. Lucie, contact the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Hotline at 772-344-4319.

Report an illicit discharge to the unincorporated areas of the St. Lucie County storm water system or contact the County’s Illicit Discharge Hotline directly at 772-462-1668.

Examples of illicit discharge are:

• Sewage
• Household Chemicals
• Automotive Fluids
• Trash / Garbage / Litter
• Chlorinated Pool Water
• Sand / Sediment (Severe Erosion)

 

Recycling

FCC asks that each household places only clean and dry items loose, not bagged, in the green cart.

 Recycling Tips

• Recyclables conveniently go into the green recycling cart; there is no need to sort items.
• Recyclables should be loose, not bagged, inside the green cart.
• Recyclables must be empty, clean and dry. Dirty recyclables become breeding grounds for bacteria and cannot be recycled after pick-up.

 What Can I put in my Recycle Cart?

Looking for detailed recycling tips, check out St. Lucie County’s online recycling tool. https://www.stlucieco.gov/departments-and-services/solid-waste/single-stream-recycling Search by item and then the tool will advise you on whether you should recycle or dispose of it.

There are only five materials that are accepted in your green recycling cart:

1. Paper: Almost any kind of paper is recyclable (Junk mail, newsprint, magazines, copy paper, phone books), except shredded, waxed, metallic or soiled paper.
2. Metal cans: Both aluminum or steel (tin) cans can be recycled and there is no need to remove the labels. 
3. Cardboard: Any kind of box is accepted unless it held a liquid (such as those used to hold milk, juice, wine and broth). To save room in the cart flatten it. Pizza boxes typically have residue and should be considered garbage.
4.  Plastic containers: Emptied and rinsed bottles, tubs, jugs and jars are all accepted either with or without the lid.
5.  Glass: Emptied and rinsed green, brown and clear bottles and jars are acceptable materials.

What can be returned?

Return plastic grocery bags and Styrofoam egg cartons to your local store.

Resources for Educators and Students

For Educator and Student resources, please visit the EPA’s website here

St Lucie County’s Waste and Recycling Tool and App

For access to St Lucies County’s Waste and Recycling Tool and App, please visit the site here

Yard Waste

What is yard waste? 

Yard waste is vegetative matter resulting from yard and landscaping maintenance, and includes, but is not limited to, shrub and tree trimmings, grass clippings, palm fronds, branches and bulky yard waste. When disposing of yard waste, cut tree limbs and branches to a manageable size, not exceeding 4 feet, excluding palm fronds.

Is there a limit on yard waste?

There is a yard waste limit up to 4 cubic yards (including large piles of vegetation) collected weekly. Four cubic yards equals four front-loading washing machines or four standard ovens. This gives everyone nearly 20 cubic yards of service per month (think of your typical construction dumpster).

Can you schedule pickup for yard waste?

Yes, beginning in September, call 1PSL 772-871-1775 to schedule additional yard waste pickup. The City has negotiated a $18.50 cubic yard rate for its residents for pickup and disposal. Residents can use a hauler of their choice and schedule a pickup at their convenience. Residents may also utilize the City’s Drop-Off Center located at the corner of Cameo Blvd. and Crosstown Pkwy. for disposal of these items at no additional cost. 

 

Follow these guidelines when preparing yard waste for collection:

• Don’t mix garbage and yard waste. The waste must be free of items such as metal, food waste, garbage, soil, sod and stones.
• Individual containers cannot weigh more than 50 pounds.
• Containerize or bag yard waste by using paper bags instead of plastic; paper bags can be mulched up along with the debris; plastic cannot.
• Yard waste cannot be obstructed or too close to powerlines, mailbox or other obstruction(s).
• Place yard waste along the street in front of your home and avoid placing debris in a vacant lot or neighbor’s home.