Solid Waste Requirements
Stay compliant. Avoid fines. Keep your property clean.
Businesses, institutions and nonprofit organizations in Collier County play an important role in keeping our community clean and protecting the environment. Proper garbage collection, recycling and hazardous waste management help prevent litter, reduce pollution and help preserve our paradise.
Businesses must arrange for proper solid waste collection, maintain adequate containers, prevent litter and comply with recycling requirements. Requirements may vary depending on the location and type of business.
Need help understanding your requirements?
Contact the Collier County Solid & Hazardous Waste Management Division at recycling@collier.gov
Is Your Business Meeting Solid Waste Requirements?
Is Your Business Meeting Solid Waste Requirements?
- Contract with the County-designated solid waste contractor for garbage collection.
- Maintain garbage collection service appropriate for your business.
- Use adequate containers and keep lids closed.
- Schedule collection often enough to prevent overflow and odors.
- Keep dumpster and loading areas clean and free of litter.
- Identify and recycle primary recyclable materials generated by your business.
- Keep garbage and hazardous waste out of recycling containers.
- Never place hazardous waste in regular garbage or recycling containers.
- Contact the County for assistance when your business generates hazardous waste.
Collier County Ordinance Chapter 118(PDF, 403KB)
Solid Waste Collection Requirements
Collection Requirements
Businesses that generate garbage must have appropriate collection service. Regular garbage collection service is limited to waste properly contained within approved containers. Bulky items and materials placed outside containers are not included in standard garbage collection service and require separate collection and disposal arrangements.
Businesses must:
- Contract with the County-designated solid waste contractor for garbage collection.
- Maintain an appropriately sized container for the amount of waste generated.
- Keep a copy of the current solid waste collection contract available for inspection at the property being serviced.
- Keep containers accessible to the collection vehicle.
- Keep areas around containers free of litter, overflow and debris.
- Prevent waste from blowing, leaking or scattering from containers.
Property owners remain responsible for compliance, even when a tenant enters into a collection contract with the property owner’s approval
Collier County Ordinance Chapter 118(PDF, 403KB)
Minimum collection frequency
Commercial properties must receive solid waste collection at least once per week, with collections no more than seven calendar days apart, except for holidays.
Restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses that generate significant amounts of food waste or other putrescible waste must receive collection at least twice per week.
Container Requirements
Commercial garbage and recycling containers must have lids that remain closed except when materials are being deposited. Businesses must use commercial containers, such as dumpsters or compactors, unless otherwise approved.
A business generating one cubic yard or less of solid waste per week may use up to two garbage roll carts. If space or access restrictions prevent the use of an appropriate commercial container, the County may approve a variance for additional roll carts.
Container placement and maintenance
Businesses must:
- Place commercial containers on a paved or concrete level surface.
- Provide access areas capable of supporting collection vehicles.
- Place containers where they are convenient for customers and accessible to collection vehicles.
- Provide alternative approved containers if a compactor breaks down.
- Clean up spills and overflow immediately.
Prevent Litter at Your Business
Businesses must store waste in containers that prevent wind-driven debris and unsightly litter. Regular garbage collection service is limited to waste properly contained within approved containers. Bulky items and materials placed outside containers are not included in standard garbage collection service and require separate collection and disposal arrangements.
Commercial establishments must:
- Maintain enough containers to keep the property clean, neat and sanitary.
- Never pile up bags of garbage or debris outside of dumpsters.
- Have garbage and recycling containers lids closed, except when materials are being deposited.
- Immediately clean up spilled or overflowing waste.
- Provide litter receptacles in loading and unloading areas for loose debris, cardboard, paper and packaging materials.
- Provide adequate receptacles anywhere litter is generated.
- Prevent unauthorized accumulation of litter on the property.
Expert Tip! Dumpster enclosure gates or doors need to remain closed, except when materials are being deposited.
Construction and demolition contractors, owners or agents must provide on-site receptacles for loose debris, paper, building material waste and other litter-producing materials unless those materials are properly disposed of daily.
Recycling Requirements
Recycling is Mandatory for Businesses
Collier County requires businesses and other non-residential properties to identify and recycle the primary recyclable materials they generate.
Items You Can Recycle
- Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, tubs and cups
- Glass bottles and jars
- Metal cans
- Paper, cardboard, cartons and cups
Property Owner Responsibilities
Owners of non-residential property must:
- Provide recycling containers so businesses and other generators on the property can recycle their designated materials.
- Arrange for recycling collection service or self-haul recyclable materials to a recycling facility.
- Maintain documentation showing that recyclables are being properly collected or transported.
- Provide documentation to the County upon request.
Collier County Recycling Ordinance(PDF, 1MB)
Hazardous Waste from Businesses
How to Dispose of Commercial Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste must not be placed in garbage or recycling containers.
Examples of commercial hazardous waste may include:
- Paints and stains
- Solvents and thinners
- Fuels and gasoline
- Used oil and oil filters
- Antifreeze
- Batteries
- Fluorescent lamps and ballasts
- Mercury-containing devices
- Pesticides and poisons
- Corrosive cleaners
- Electronics
Businesses that qualify as Very Small Quantity Generators may be eligible to bring hazardous waste to the Hazardous Materials Collection Center by appointment under the County’s contracted rate. According to the County’s current Commercial Hazardous Waste webpage, a Very Small Quantity Generator produces less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month or less than 2.2 pounds of acute hazardous waste per month.
For appointments, rates or additional information, businesses should call 239-252-8480 or email recycling@collier.gov.
Inspections and Enforcement
Inspections and Enforcement
Collier County may inspect non-residential properties, containers, vehicles and equipment to verify compliance with solid waste and recycling requirements.
Failure to maintain required recycling containers, prevent litter, arrange for proper collection or comply with other ordinance requirements may result in enforcement action.
Litter violations in unincorporated Collier County may be subject to penalties of up to $500. Each day a violation continues may be treated as a separate offense.