Zemel Road Landfill

Zemel Road Landfill is a landfill on Zemel Road in Punta Gorda where residents and commercial haulers drop off material that will be buried. People bringing home cleanup loads or contractors with bigger hauls use this site. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulates solid waste in the state, and hurricane season can sometimes disrupt operations.

There’s an entrance booth and a scale, so expect to stop to be weighed - most landfills charge tipping fees by weight, meaning a drive onto the scale both coming in and leaving is common. Pull into the lane at the booth and follow directions to the working face or unloading area; trucks and trailers are a regular sight and commercial loads are handled here like at other county landfills. The site is mostly dirt and compacted cover, with piles and heavy equipment around, so give big rigs space and watch for loose debris. Weekends and spring cleanup periods get busy, and operations can change quickly after storms.