If you need a Collier County trash can replacement, call Solid Waste at (239) 252-2380 or submit a request through Collier311. The county replaces damaged, missing, or stolen garbage and recycling carts at no charge for homes in unincorporated Collier County, and a new cart is delivered to your curb.
When Replacement Is Free
The carts belong to the county or its contracted hauler, not to you, so repairs and replacements are the county’s responsibility. You qualify for a free replacement if your cart is cracked, has broken wheels, is missing a lid, was stolen, or has simply disappeared. The county will either repair or replace it at no cost.1Collier County Government. Collier County Solid Waste Division Frequently Asked Questions
There is one exception. If the damage resulted from your own negligence, you may be charged for the replacement cart plus a delivery fee.1Collier County Government. Collier County Solid Waste Division Frequently Asked Questions The county doesn’t define exactly where normal wear ends and negligence begins. Running over your cart with your car is the sort of thing that would land on your tab; a lid cracked from years of sun exposure would not.
How to Request a Replacement
By Phone
The fastest route is calling (239) 252-2380, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Select Option 2 for solid waste, then Option 1.1Collier County Government. Collier County Solid Waste Division Frequently Asked Questions Have your service address, contact information, and a description of the problem ready. If the cart was stolen, say so upfront. You may also want to file a police report for your own records.
Through Collier311
If you’d rather not call, there are a few other options. You can submit a request through the Collier311 online portal, use the Collier311 mobile app, or text (239) 449-9994 with your first and last name, home address, and a description of the issue.2Collier County. Collier 311 Staff respond to text requests during regular business hours, generally within one business day. The online portal and app accept submissions around the clock and let you upload photos of a damaged cart, which can speed things along.
You can also dial 311 directly from within Collier County, or (239) 252-4311 from outside the county, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.3Collier County. Contact – Collier County
What Happens Next
The county doesn’t publish a guaranteed delivery window. In practice, replacement carts often arrive on your next scheduled collection day, though timing varies with demand and availability. If your old cart is damaged but still at the curb, leave it out when the replacement arrives so the crew can swap it. If it was stolen, there’s nothing to leave.
Requests submitted through the portal or app generate email status updates. For phone or text requests, call (239) 252-2380 back to check progress if your replacement hasn’t shown up after a pickup cycle or two.
Yard Waste Carts Aren’t Part of This
One boundary worth knowing: the county does not issue a separate yard waste cart, so there’s nothing to replace on that front. Yard waste is collected curbside on your recycling day, but you prepare it yourself using bundles, paper bags, or your own container within the county’s size and weight limits.4Collier County. Yard Waste Collection Do not put yard waste in your garbage cart.