Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for East Lake-Orient Park
Trash Day
Curbside trash is collected twice per week on assigned days (e.g., Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday depending on your neighborhood address).
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on your designated collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected once per week on your designated collection day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (and no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential solid waste and recycling collection fees are not billed monthly; they are included as annual non-ad valorem assessments on your Hillsborough County property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Escrow/Mortgage, Online, Mail, In Person via Hillsborough County Tax Collector
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizens (65+) are eligible for a discount of approximately 33% on the annual solid waste disposal assessment. Low-income homeowners can apply for the Hardship & Affordability Credit, and an accessory dwelling exemption is available for qualifying seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged before being placed in the gray cart. The lid must close completely, and no excess waste should be placed on the ground next to the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Paper towels
- ✓Plastic bags
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Lightly used textiles (if not donated)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. All items must be completely empty, clean, and dry, and placed loosely into the blue recycling cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Dry plastic bottles
- ✓Aluminum cans
- ✓Paper
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Plastic and paper to-go cups
Do NOT Include
- ✕Loose plastic bags
- ✕Plastic film
- ✕Bagged recyclables
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Liquid residue
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be bundled, neatly stacked, or placed in your own containers. Limbs must be under 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter. No single container may exceed 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Branches and limbs
- ✓Brush
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Untreated wood
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Year-round self-haul up to county limits
Placement
Residents must self-haul bulk waste to a designated facility and provide proof of Hillsborough County residency, such as a driver's license and a matching utility bill.
Accepted
- ✓ Bulky furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Major appliances
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Electronics
- ✓ Tires
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial construction debris
- ✕ Explosives
- ✕ Biohazardous materials
- ✕ Commercial cooking oil
Bulk disposal is generally covered under your annual residential solid waste assessment. Once your yearly free disposal limits are reached, standard commercial tipping fees will apply.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Hillsborough County does not provide make-up days for missed collections due to holidays. If your collection day falls on a holiday, wait until your next regularly scheduled service day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same rule: if your pickup is skipped for a holiday, the county will collect it on your next scheduled yard waste collection day.
Because East Lake-Orient Park residents receive twice-a-week garbage pickup, a missed holiday collection simply means keeping your refuse in the cart until the second pickup day of that week.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
February to AprilTo help residents tackle spring cleaning and pruning, Hillsborough County temporarily increases the weekly yard waste limit. During these months, you can set out up to 3 cubic yards (approximately eighteen 30-gallon containers) instead of the standard 2 cubic yards.
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberFlorida's storm season requires proactive property management. Avoid doing major tree pruning when a tropical storm or hurricane is actively named. High winds can turn piled curbside yard debris into dangerous projectiles if the trucks cannot complete their routes in time.
Post-Holiday
Late December to JanuaryAfter the holidays, you can dispose of your live Christmas tree on your regularly scheduled yard waste collection day. Ensure all lights, tinsel, wire, and ornaments are completely removed before setting it at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Get Cash Back for Your Cans and Bottles Around East Lake-Orient Park!
Did you know you can turn those empty soda cans and plastic bottles into cash right here in the Tampa Bay area? While East Lake-Orient Park itself might not have a dedicated buyback center, the state of Florida has a program for redeemable containers. Look for the 5-cent deposit on many beverage containers! You can find redemption centers in nearby Tampa. Places like Scrapbook Recycling or Tampa Bay Recycling often buy aluminum cans, scrap metal, and other recyclables. It's a great way to make a little extra money while keeping waste out of the landfill.
Give Your Old Stuff a New Home Near East Lake-Orient Park
Got furniture, clothes, or household items that are still in good shape but you don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, consider donating! Goodwill's Tampa Bay stores are always a great option, and they accept a wide range of items. For larger items or building materials, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, often with locations a short drive away in Tampa, is a fantastic place to donate. Your pre-loved goods can help other families in our community, and it's a much better alternative to the trash bin.
Keeping East Lake-Orient Park Beautiful: Tackling Dumping and Clean-Up Days
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be. If you spot illegal dumping in East Lake-Orient Park or surrounding Hillsborough County areas, the best thing to do is report it. You can usually call your local county services or the sheriff's office to report it. Keep an eye out for community clean-up events organized by local groups or Hillsborough County – these are fantastic opportunities to pitch in and make our neighborhoods even nicer. It's all about working together to keep our community clean and green.
Drop-off Facilities
Hillsborough Heights Solid Waste Facility
6209 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
Materials Accepted
Northwest County Solid Waste Facility
8001 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, FL 33625
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch in East Lake-Orient Park?
Because Hillsborough County does not offer standard curbside bulk item pickup, you will need to haul your old mattress or couch directly to a Community Collection Center, such as the Hillsborough Heights facility in nearby Seffner. You can also hire a private junk removal service.
What happens if my normal trash collection day falls on Thanksgiving?
Hillsborough County enforces a strict 'no make-up day' policy for holidays. Since there are no delays or makeup routes, your garbage simply will not be collected on Thanksgiving. You must wait to put your bin out until your next regularly scheduled collection day later in the week.
Are plastic grocery bags allowed in the blue recycling bin?
No, plastic bags are heavily prohibited in the blue recycling carts. They act as tanglers and jam up the mechanical sorting screens at the recycling center. If you have plastic bags, either return them to a local supermarket that offers a drop-off bin or throw them into your gray trash cart.
How much yard waste can I place at the curb each week?
Generally, East Lake-Orient Park residents can set out up to 2 cubic yards (about twelve 30-gallon bags) of yard waste per week. During the heavy pruning season from February through April, this allowance is bumped up to 3 cubic yards, or roughly eighteen bags.