Recycling to resume in Port St. Lucie week of Sept. 5

The City of Port St. Lucie is pleased to announce that beginning the week of Sept. 5, curbside recycling will resume. For customer convenience and simplicity, recycling will be collected once a week on the same day as garbage and yard waste.

The City is working together with FCC Environmental Services Florida (FCC), Port St. Lucie’s new contracted waste hauler, to reduce waste that is sent to the landfill. Each household can do its part by placing clean and dry accepted materials loose, not bagged, in the green cart.

“There are only five materials that belong in your recycling cart,” said Port St. Lucie’s Neighborhood Services Director Carmen Capezzuto. “Something as simple as a greasy pizza box, or a plastic bag, can contaminate an entire load, which is then sent to the landfill.”

So what materials are accepted in the green recycling cart?

1. Paper: Almost any kind of paper is recyclable, including junk mail, newsprint, magazines, copy paper and phone books. Items that are not accepted curbside include shredded, waxed, metallic or soiled paper.


2. Metal cans: Emptied and rinsed 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). Flatten and cut the box to ensure it fits in the cart and to make room for more recyclables. Pizza boxes typically have residue and should be considered garbage.


4. Plastic containers: Emptied and rinsed bottles, tubs, jugs and jars are all accepted, with or without the lid.


5. Glass: Green, brown and clear bottles and jars that are emptied and rinsed are acceptable materials.

Residents can find a searchable list by clicking here.

Recycling materials will be collected separately from garbage. Residents are asked to please place both carts by the curb, about 3 feet apart, by 7 a.m. on their collection day. If a household was using the recycling cart as a trash can, if possible, please rinse the cart before use. This cleaning is important to prevent residue from contaminating recyclables.

As FCC drivers learn their routes, residents are asked to continue to be patient. In the first few weeks, new drivers will have to tackle a multi-week backlog of trash. FCC has the resources and equipment to bring reliable and efficient service back to Port St. Lucie, but it will take time.

The City’s voluntary drop-off site will continue to serve Port St. Lucie’s waste needs. Residents can drop off clean recyclables, yard and bulky waste seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Public Works Complex on the corner of Cameo Boulevard and Crosstown Parkway, behind the green, fenced-in area, just west of Florida’s Turnpike overpass.

Learn more about the positive changes happening with the solid waste program at the second open house on Monday, Aug. 29 from 6-8 p.m. at the Port St. Lucie’s Community Center, 2195 SE Airoso Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984. FCC’s new waste collection schedule can be found at www.CityofPSL.com/SolidWaste.