Recycling
Download the Recycle Coach app below:
2024 Recycling Collection Schedule(PDF, 776KB)
(PDF, 776KB)
Recycling Guidelines
Recycling is mandatory in the City of North Port. Our Recycling Program provides two recycling totes, one for paper products and one for commingled glass, plastic, and cans. Collection between the two totes will rotate each week. One week we’ll collect material from the tote with a blue commingle lid, the next week we’ll collect material from the tote with the tan paper lid. The latest collection calendar is posted above. You can also sign up for collection reminders on our Recycle Coach app. The app provides a customized schedule for garbage, recycling and yard waste collection. You can also set reminders so you never miss a collection day!
Recycling Totes
Garbage and recycling totes are offered in 65 and 95 gallon sizes. If you require a bigger or smaller size than you have now, you can request a different size tote for free once per fiscal year. Additional tote swaps within the same fiscal year will come at a cost of $36.30 per tote. To request a different size tote, submit the request form.
Tan Lid Tote (Paper Products)
- Cardboard – flatten and cut down to fit in tote. If you have large amounts, call Customer Service for a larger or additional recycling tote. A courtesy collection may also be requested.
- Pizza boxes - flatten, remove liner and food.
- Paper/Paperboard – newspapers, computer paper, brown paper bags, magazines, catalogs, brochures, mail and telephone books. Cereal, cracker and other food boxes (remove liners), soda cartons, shoe boxes, tissue containers, paper towel rolls and gift boxes.
*Shredded paper is not accepted and can be placed in the garbage
Do you have a large amount of cardboard that does not fit in your tan lid container? Submit the request form to schedule a courtesy extra cardboard pick up and we will collect it on your next collection day.
Blue Lid Tote (Commingle)
- Plastics – rinsed #1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, (#6 not accepted). Look for the recycling symbol, usually found on the bottom of the item. The number inside the triangle should read 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7. Any other number (or no number at all) is not accepted.
- Glass – rinsed food and beverage containers.
- Cans - rinsed out steel, tin and aluminum. Empty aerosol cans, drink boxes and milk/juice cartons.
- Others - Empty aerosol cans, drink boxes, milk/juice cartons and rinsed out aluminum foil trays.
- Items NOT accepted include: Styrofoam, #6 plastics, plastic bags, plastic toys, dishes, un-numbered plastics, window glass, glassware, empty chemical containers, plastic film, ceramics, mirrors.
Other Recyclable Items
Call Public Works at 941-240-8050 to schedule these items for collection.
- Motor Oil - pour in a one gallon or less size container that has a screw-top lid, write "used motor oil" on the container.
- Batteries - automotive, marine and farm grade batteries are recyclable. Place them next to your recycling tote. *Single Use non-rechargeable AA or AAA batteries can be placed in the garbage.
- Rechargeable Batteries - can be placed in a bag next to your recycling tote.
- Computer Hard Drives, Tablets and Cell Phones - can be recycled as Electronic Waste along with your rechargeable batteries. Remember to terminate your service and erase your personal data. If your phone has a SIM card, remove it.
Avoid Recycling Contamination
Contaminants are items placed in the recycling stream that are not recyclable. When recycling is not done correctly it negatively affects the environment and our City financially.
The following items are NOT accepted in our recycling program:
- Un-numbered plastics, or #6 plastics - look for the recycling symbol, usually found on the bottom of the item. The number inside the triangle should read 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7. Any other number (or no number at all) is not accepted. Remember: When in doubt, throw it out.
- Styrofoam - most Styrofoam is #6 and not recyclable. Take Styrofoam trays and egg cartons to the supermarket. Many of the local pack and ship companies will take Styrofoam packing peanuts. Please remember that Styrofoam is typically very light. To prevent Styrofoam from spilling out, place it in a bag and seal it before placing it in your garbage.
- Shredded paper - it is considered garbage.
- Window glass, ceramic glass or mirrors. Household glassware can be placed with your regular household garbage.
- Plastic toys, tarps and microwaveable containers
- Empty pesticide, herbicide, auto fluids and paint containers
- Single Use Batteries can be placed in your garbage
- Coated cardboard signs used for elections, yard sales, etc.
- Air conditioning filters
- Cardboard wrapped in plastic
Where do I place my tote?
North Port uses one side of the street garbage and recycling collection which reduces costs and carbon emissions. You may need to place your garbage or recycling container across the street for collection or your neighbor may need to place their garbage or recycling container on your side of the street. Call Customer Service at 941-240-8050 if you’re unsure of where you should place your container. Yard waste and bulk waste should remain in front of your home.
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Place totes curbside by 7:00am on your collection day with arrows facing toward the street and 5 feet away from other objects (fences, cars, mailboxes, utility poles, trees, etc). If your container is set out after the 7:00am deadline, we cannot guarantee the collection of your garbage or recycle.
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Do not place totes curbside before 6:00pm the night before your collection day. All containers must be stored in your garage, side or back yard and not in the front yard. Emptied containers should be returned to the proper storage no later than 10:00pm on your collection day.
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The container should be placed three to seven feet from the edge of the street or if possible, on the driveway. The automated arm of the truck needs to extend several feet outward from the truck. When the container is positioned too close to the edge of the street, the garbage truck must stop in the middle of the street, where it will block traffic. Also, do not place the automated container in the middle of your bulk debris. It will not be emptied.
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Tote missing? Call Public Works at 941-240-8050 to schedule a replacement.
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Tote Damaged? Please submit the request form or call public Works at 941-240-8050 to schedule a repair or replacement. If tote is damaged as a result of a vehicle hitting the tote, please obtain a Police Report from North Port Police Department and call Public Works customer service once you have the report number 941-240-8050.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have extra recycling?
You can call Customer Service at 941-240-8050 for information on obtaining a larger recycling tote at no additional cost.
What if I forget which recycling tote is being collected this week?
Try our Recycle Coach app. Using the app helps you stay organized with a custom curbside collection and events calendar. You can also receive pick-up reminders. As always, Customer Service is available to answer your questions at 941-240-8050.
Why do we need two recycling totes? Can't we just go single-stream and use one?
Solid Waste is always looking for ways to improve service and become more efficient. To collect recyclables in one tote would be called single-stream. However at this time, there is not a single-stream processor close enough for North Port to utilize.
What if my street already has one-sided pickup for garbage?
If you live on a street in North Port that has one-sided garbage collection, your new recycling totes will be placed on the opposite side of the street as your garbage tote.
If garbage totes on your street are:
- On Both Sides: Recycling totes will stay on your side.
- On Your Side: Residents who keep their garbage tote on their side of the street, will roll the recycling totes across the street for collection.
- Across The Street: Residents who place their garbage tote across the street will keep recycling totes on their side.
How can I identify my recycle container from my neighbor’s container?
Each automated recycle container has a unique serial number stamped on it. Please record your recycling tote’s serial number and save it for your reference. This will help you identify your tote each collection day. Also, you can call our Customer Service staff at 941-240-8050 to make sure that we have the serial number of your container in our database.
I just moved into a new home and have a lot of cardboard moving boxes. What should I do with them?
Submit the request form or Call Customer Service at 941-240-8050 to schedule a courtesy cardboard pick up and we will collect it on your next collection day.
Why reuse?
The best way to reduce waste in our local landfills is not create it. New products require new materials. When we reuse an item in a fun, new way - it saves our resources and helps protect the environment for future generations.
Donation Locations
Have unwanted items that can be used by others? Donating saves resources and supports your community, and area agencies would love your gently used items.
Reuse examples here in North Port
The photos below were sent in by North Port residents, showing how they are reusing materials in creative ways! Send your reuse pictures to wcarlson@cityofnorthport.com. If they meet our criteria, we will post them on our website.
