Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bloomingdale
Florida residential routes generally operate Monday through Friday. Your specific household collection depends on your local county zoning map.
State Mandate
Do not mix yard trimmings with regular household garbage.
Gray Cart Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be bagged and fit completely inside the gray cart so the lid can close tightly. Roll carts to the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the handles pointed toward your home.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging and old clothes
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do NOT bag recyclables—this is strictly enforced. All items must be empty, clean, dry, and placed loosely inside the blue cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper and plastic to-go cups (New)
- ✓Clean plastic bottles, jugs, and containers
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Dry flattened cardboard and paperboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags, bagged recyclables, or film
- ✕Food, liquids, or dirty materials
- ✕Foam cups or Styrofoam containers
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Batteries and chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Use your own cans, boxes, or bags (each cannot exceed 50 lbs). The weekly set-out limit is 2 cubic yards (approx. 12 containers). Limbs and branches must be under 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Shrub and tree trimmings
- ✓Untreated wood and palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Self-Haul (Free up to 10 cubic yards annually) OR Curbside (By Request / Fee Required)
Placement
If you pay for a scheduled curbside bulk pickup, place the items safely at the curb prior to the designated day, ensuring they do not block sidewalks, mailboxes, or rest under low-hanging wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, desks, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators, washers, ovens)
- ✓ Televisions
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (chemicals, paint)
- ✕ Commercial large appliances
- ✕ Auto parts
- ✕ Construction waste
Curbside pickups incur a fee ranging from $30 (mattresses, furniture, small TVs) to $50 (refrigerators, washing machines, large TVs). Self-hauling to a Community Collection Center is free up to 10 cubic yards per year with proof of residency.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week will be pushed back by one day (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday, and Friday service moves to Monday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as normal household trash and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays to the weekday curbside collection routes.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Banish the Plastic Grocery Bags
The most frequent cause of recycling contamination in Hillsborough County is the plastic grocery bag. These thin films tangle in the recycling facility's mechanical sorters. Always return plastic bags to local retail stores instead.
Empty the To-Go Cups
While paper and plastic to-go cups are a wonderful new addition to the accepted recycling list, the liquid and ice inside them are not. You must completely empty the cups before placing them loosely in your blue cart.
Don't Hide Cords and Hoses
Garden hoses, ropes, and extension cords are known as 'tanglers.' Keep them out of your blue recycling cart, as they can cause severe damage and force shutdowns at the local sorting facility.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberWhen a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued for the Tampa Bay area, do not place new yard waste or bulky items at the curb. Ensure your gray and blue carts are stored safely inside your garage to prevent them from becoming dangerous wind-blown projectiles.
Winter Holidays
December to JanuaryFollowing the holidays, all cardboard shipping boxes must be broken down and cut to fit entirely inside the blue cart. Overflow stacked on the ground will not be collected by the automated trucks.
Spring Cleaning
March to MaySpring is the perfect time to utilize your annual 10-cubic-yard free self-haul allowance. Take your large garage cleanout items, including old appliances and scrap metal, directly to the Hillsborough Heights Community Collection Center in Seffner.
About Bloomingdale Waste Management
Waste Collection Governance in Bloomingdale
As an unincorporated census-designated place, residential solid waste collection in Bloomingdale is fully managed by Hillsborough County Solid Waste. Residents are provided with a gray cart for household garbage and a blue cart for recycling. To ensure smooth automated pickup, all carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the lid arrows pointing toward the street. Always maintain a three-foot clearance between your carts, parked cars, and mailboxes.
Exciting Updates to Curbside Recycling
Hillsborough County recently expanded its single-stream recycling guidelines, directly benefiting Bloomingdale households. You can now place empty plastic and paper to-go cups directly into your blue recycling cart! This initiative helps divert thousands of pounds of convenience waste from local landfills. However, you must always empty out any remaining ice or liquid, and never place your recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag.
Taking Advantage of the 10-Cubic-Yard Allowance
If you are clearing out your garage or tackling a major landscaping project, you don't necessarily have to pay for a curbside bulk pickup. Through their annual solid waste assessment, Bloomingdale residents receive up to 10 cubic yards of free self-haul disposal per year for bulky items and appliances. You can bring these items to a local Community Collection Center (CCC), such as the Hillsborough Heights facility in nearby Seffner, simply by presenting a photo ID and your property tax bill.
Paid Curbside Bulk Waste Options
For residents who lack a truck or trailer to haul a broken washing machine or an old couch to a CCC, Hillsborough County offers a convenient curbside alternative. By calling Solid Waste Customer Service, you can schedule a bulky item pickup right from your Bloomingdale home. This is a fee-based service, with prices ranging from $30 for items like mattresses to $50 for refrigerators and large televisions over 50 inches. You must request and pay for the pickup before placing anything on the curb.
Drop-off Facilities
Hillsborough Heights Solid Waste Facility
6209 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
Materials Accepted
South County Solid Waste Facility
13000 US Hwy 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of a mattress or old refrigerator in Bloomingdale?
You can schedule a special curbside pickup with Hillsborough County Solid Waste for a fee (typically $30 to $50). Alternatively, use your 10-cubic yard free annual self-haul allowance and take it to the Hillsborough Heights Community Collection Center in nearby Seffner.
What goes in the blue recycling cart?
Clean plastic bottles, glass jars, aluminum cans, flattened cardboard, and recently added: plastic and paper to-go cups! Never bag your recyclables or include plastic grocery bags.
What is the yard waste limit per week?
You are allowed up to 2 cubic yards (approximately 12 30-gallon bags or containers). Branches must be less than 4 feet long and under 6 inches in diameter, and no single container can exceed 50 pounds.
Does my trash get delayed on holidays in Hillsborough County?
If a county-observed holiday (like Thanksgiving or Labor Day) falls on a weekday, collections for the rest of the week are pushed back by one day. Weekend holidays do not cause any service delays.