As the weather cools down in Southwest Florida, fall is the perfect season to tackle outdoor projects — trimming palms, clearing brush, and prepping your landscaping for the months ahead. But when yard debris piles up, many homeowners ask the same question:
Should I rely on city yard waste pickup or rent a dumpster?
If you live in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, or Lehigh Acres, this guide will help you decide which option fits your fall cleanup needs best.
What Counts as Yard Waste in Southwest Florida?
Before deciding how to dispose of your yard debris, it’s important to know what’s considered “yard waste” in our area.
In Lee County, Charlotte County, and Collier County, yard waste typically includes:
- Tree branches and limbs
- Palm fronds
- Grass clippings and leaves
- Shrubs, plants, and mulch
- Small logs or root balls (within size limits)
However, city yard waste pickup programs have specific rules:
- Branches must be cut under 4 feet long and tied into bundles.
- Piles can’t exceed 50 pounds each.
- Leaves and grass must be bagged in biodegradable paper bags.
Exceed those limits, and you risk the city skipping your pickup — leaving piles of debris on your curb.
City Yard Waste Pickup: What to Expect
City collection services are convenient for small jobs, but not always ideal for heavy fall cleanups or storm debris.
Pros of City Yard Waste Pickup
- Free or included in your waste bill.
- Consistent schedule (usually weekly or biweekly).
- Works well for light yard maintenance like leaf bags and small branch piles.
Cons of City Yard Waste Pickup
- Strict bundle and bag rules. Long branches or heavy piles won’t be collected.
- Limited capacity. Larger piles must wait for future pickups.
- Unpredictable delays after holidays or storms.
- No flexibility. You must wait for your city’s pickup day.
Pro Tip: Residents in Fort Myers and Cape Coral should check their collection calendar before starting cleanup to avoid missed pickups.
Dumpster Rental for Yard Waste: The Flexible Solution
For larger or more demanding cleanups, renting a roll-off dumpster gives you flexibility, speed, and space to handle everything at once.
Pros of Dumpster Rental
- Flexible timing. Keep your dumpster for several days to work at your own pace.
- No bagging or bundling required. Toss palm fronds, branches, or clippings directly inside.
- Handles bulk loads. Ideal for major landscaping projects or storm cleanup.
- Fast delivery & pickup. DumpsterFire.Rent delivers to your home and hauls it away when you’re done.
- Local compliance built-in. We follow all city and county disposal guidelines.
Cons of Dumpster Rental
- Rental cost. There’s a small fee for the container, though it saves hours of labor and hassle.
- Driveway space needed. Requires a flat, accessible area for delivery.
Dumpster Rental vs. City Pickup: Which Is Right for You?
| Cleanup Situation | Best Option |
| Small pile of leaves or light trimming | City pickup |
| Multiple palm tree trimmings | Dumpster rental |
| Post-storm debris cleanup | Dumpster rental |
| Routine lawn clippings | City pickup |
| Landscaping overhaul or full yard clear-out | Dumpster rental |
Example:
In Lehigh Acres or Cape Coral, where palm trimming creates bulky waste, a 15-yard or 20-yard dumpster can handle the entire cleanup — saving multiple city pickups and hours of bagging.
Choosing the Right Dumpster Size for Yard Waste
At DumpsterFire.Rent, we offer three convenient dumpster sizes designed specifically for residential yard waste cleanup in Southwest Florida:
7-Yard Dumpster
Perfect for small yard projects or light cleanups.
- Great for grass clippings, leaves, or small branch piles.
- Fits easily in most residential driveways.
- Affordable and ideal for short weekend projects.
15-Yard Dumpster
The most popular choice for medium-sized yard work.
- Perfect for trimming several trees or clearing garden beds.
- Handles bulky palm fronds, mulch, and debris easily.
- A great balance of size and value.
20-Yard Dumpster
The go-to for large landscaping or storm debris projects.
- Holds entire tree removals, large branch piles, or heavy organic debris.
- Ideal for contractors, HOAs, or homeowners tackling major fall cleanups.
Tip: Always load yard waste evenly and avoid overfilling. Debris should stay level with the top rim for safe transport.
Local Yard Waste Disposal Rules (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples)
Each city in Southwest Florida has its own disposal rules:
- Fort Myers & Cape Coral (Lee County): Yard waste is collected separately for mulching; bundles must follow size limits.
- Naples & Marco Island (Collier County): Yard waste must be in biodegradable bags; mixed debris is not accepted.
- Punta Gorda & Port Charlotte (Charlotte County): Large yard waste loads may require special collection or drop-off.
With DumpsterFire.Rent, we manage all of that for you. Our team ensures your debris is properly processed and recycled per local regulations.
Eco-Friendly Yard Waste Disposal
We’re committed to sustainable disposal practices that protect our Florida environment.
When you rent a dumpster from DumpsterFire.Rent, your yard waste is taken to local composting and recycling facilities instead of the landfill.
We help keep Southwest Florida green by:
- Composting organic materials.
- Turning palm fronds and wood into mulch.
- Recycling soil and organic waste responsibly.
You can also help by composting leaves or grass at home for garden use.
Why Homeowners Choose DumpsterFire.Rent
From Fort Myers to Naples, local homeowners and landscapers trust DumpsterFire.Rent for a reason:
Same-day or next-day delivery available. 
Transparent, flat-rate pricing — no hidden fees. 
Local experts familiar with city disposal rules. 
Friendly service that makes cleanup simple.
Whether you’re tackling a quick palm trim or cleaning up after a storm, we’ve got the right dumpster for your job.
Final Thoughts: Simplify Fall Cleanup with DumpsterFire.Rent
City yard waste pickup is great for small projects — but when your fall cleanup gets serious, a roll-off dumpster saves time, effort, and frustration.
With flexible sizes (7-yard, 15-yard, and 20-yard), fast delivery, and eco-friendly disposal, DumpsterFire.Rent makes it easy to handle all your yard debris safely and affordably.
Get your free quote today for yard waste dumpster rental in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, or Naples — and make your fall cleanup a breeze.