Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fish Hawk
Trash Day
Wednesday, Saturday
Recycling
Wednesday
Yard Waste
Wednesday
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside collection services in Fish Hawk are managed by Hillsborough County and billed once per year as an annual non-ad valorem assessment on your property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Escrow, Online, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Hillsborough County offers a senior citizen (65+) discount on the annual solid waste disposal assessment and a hardship affordability credit for qualifying low-income homeowners.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be securely bagged before it is placed in the gray cart to prevent odors, pests, and litter. The lid must close completely. Set the cart out by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Plastic grocery bags
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✓Soiled paper and diapers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do NOT bag recyclables. Items must be placed loosely into the blue cart. Ensure all bottles, cans, and newly accepted to-go cups are empty, clean, and completely dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Dry paper and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastic and paper to-go cups
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Bagged recyclables
- ✕Food residue and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Garden hoses and cords
Yard Waste Bin
Place yard waste in your own reusable cans, cardboard boxes, or heavy-duty bags (no plastic bags for branches). Bundles must be under 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter, weighing no more than 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Shrub and tree trimmings
- ✓Untreated wood
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Self-haul year-round or on-demand for a fee
Placement
If you pay for a special pickup, place the items at the curb following the operator's exact instructions. Otherwise, you must transport the items directly to a nearby CCC.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Large appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Electronics
- ✓ Scrap metal and tires (at drop-off sites)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial construction waste
- ✕ Biohazardous materials
- ✕ Explosives
- ✕ Large tree stumps
Self-hauling to a CCC is covered by your annual solid waste assessment (up to a specific tonnage limit). Requesting an at-home pickup requires calling (813) 272-5680 to arrange payment.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a county-observed 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). If the holiday falls on a weekend, there are no delays.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as the gray and blue cart collections.
Always ensure your carts are at the curb by 6:00 a.m., even on a holiday make-up day, as route times often vary significantly from normal schedules.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring Overhaul
February to AprilDuring the active spring growing season, Hillsborough County boosts the weekly yard waste limit for Fish Hawk residents from 12 containers to 18 containers (or 3 cubic yards). This is the best time for major tree pruning.
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberStorm prep is critical in Florida. If a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued for Hillsborough County, immediately stop all tree trimming. Do not place yard debris or carts at the curb, as high winds turn loose items into dangerous projectiles.
Winter Holidays
Late December to JanuaryAfter Christmas, residents can dispose of live Christmas trees by placing them curbside on their standard yard waste collection day. You must remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and stands first. Do not place the tree in a plastic bag.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Old Cans into Cash Near Fish Hawk!
Hey neighbors! Did you know some of your recyclables could actually put a little money back in your pocket? While Fish Hawk's regular recycling program is awesome for the environment, if you've got a stash of aluminum cans or plastic bottles you're looking to cash in on, check out the bottle and can redemption centers scattered around Florida. The state has a program, and while specific buyback centers might be a short drive, places like Lakeland or Tampa often have options. A quick search for "Florida bottle redemption centers" will give you the latest details on what they take and how much they pay. It's a neat way to make a few bucks while still being kind to our planet.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in the Fish Hawk Area
Before you toss something that's still perfectly good, think about giving it a new home! For items like furniture, clothing, or household goods that are in decent shape, there are some fantastic local donation spots. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Brandon is a great option that supports building homes in our community. You can also often find local thrift stores or charities that are happy to accept donations. It’s a win-win: you declutter your home, and your items help someone else or fund a good cause right here in our area.
Keeping Our Neighborhood Clean: Tackling Dumped Trash in Fish Hawk
Let's all pitch in to keep Fish Hawk looking its best. While WM handles our regular trash and recycling, sometimes folks leave things where they shouldn't. If you ever spot illegal dumping – things like old mattresses or piles of construction debris left on the roadside – it's good to know how to report it. In Hillsborough County, which Fish Hawk is part of, you can usually report these issues to the county's code enforcement or public works department. They often have online forms or a hotline to make reporting easy. Keeping an eye out and letting the right people know helps us all enjoy a cleaner, healthier Fish Hawk.
Drop-off Facilities
South County Solid Waste Facility (CCC)
13000 US Hwy 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
Materials Accepted
Hillsborough Heights Solid Waste Facility
6209 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away an old couch or mattress in Fish Hawk?
Because Fish Hawk is in unincorporated Hillsborough County, there is no free curbside bulk pickup. You can haul your old couch to a Community Collection Center (like Hillsborough Heights or South County) for free disposal, or call (813) 272-5680 to schedule a curbside pickup for an extra fee.
Can I recycle my paper coffee cup in the blue bin?
Yes! Hillsborough County recently updated its recycling guidelines to officially accept both plastic and paper to-go cups in residential blue carts. Just ensure the cup is completely empty and dry before tossing it in.
What happens if my trash day falls on Thanksgiving?
Hillsborough County shifts collection days for major weekday holidays. If your normal pickup falls on Thanksgiving Thursday, your carts will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will have their waste collected on Saturday.
Are there any specific rules for setting out my yard waste?
Yes. Yard waste must be placed in your own reusable containers, cardboard boxes, or heavy-duty bags (never use plastic bags for branches). Branches must be cut to less than 4 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter, and no single container can weigh more than 50 pounds.