Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Keystone
Trash Day
Twice weekly (typically Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday depending on your route)
Recycling
Once weekly on your assigned collection day
Yard Waste
Once weekly on your designated service day
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential curbside trash collection is not billed as a monthly utility; instead, it is assessed annually as a non-ad valorem fee on your Hillsborough County property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Hillsborough County provides a Senior Citizen (65+) discount on the disposal assessment, accessory dwelling exemptions for seniors or individuals with disabilities, and a Solid Waste Hardship & Affordability Credit for qualifying low-income homeowners.
Gray Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage should be bagged and fit completely inside the gray cart with the lid closed. Place carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the arrows on the lid pointing toward the street. Leave a 3-foot clearance around the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste and soiled wrappers
- ✓Plastic bags and film
- ✓Foam egg cartons and takeout containers
- ✓Hoses, cords, and tanglers
- ✓Clothing and non-donatable textiles
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Never bag your recyclables. All accepted items must be clean, dry, empty, and tossed loosely into the blue cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and shipping boxes
- ✓Cartons (beverage or broth) with caps attached
- ✓Paper, junk mail, and magazines (not shredded)
- ✓Paperboard (cereal and tissue boxes)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs only (with caps attached)
- ✓Metal food and drink cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (no lids)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or bagged recycling
- ✕Foam packaging, cups, or styrofoam
- ✕Food or liquids
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Hoses, wires, and cables
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use the gray or blue county carts for yard waste. Use your own bags, boxes, or cans (each under 50 lbs). Limbs must be under 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter. The standard limit is 2 cubic yards per week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Branches, limbs, and brush
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Clean, untreated wood and lumber
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by request (fee applies) or via self-hauling to a county facility
Placement
If a special pickup is scheduled, place items at the curb at least 3 feet away from your gray and blue carts, mailboxes, and parked cars, avoiding low-hanging power lines or tree branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, recliners, and bulky furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Excessive brush (requires coordination)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (chemicals, paint, motor oil)
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, and roofing materials
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Industrial or commercial waste
Scheduling a special curbside bulk pickup incurs a fee. Alternatively, Keystone residents can use their annual 2-ton solid waste assessment allowance to self-haul large items to a Community Collection Center for free.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
In Hillsborough County, there are no holiday makeup days for residential garbage, recycling, or yard waste. Because trash is collected twice a week, if your collection date falls on a holiday, services will simply resume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling follow the same rule: there are no makeup days. If your weekly recycling or yard waste day falls on a holiday, it will not be picked up until the following week.
If an observed holiday falls on a Sunday, the normal schedule still applies for Saturday and Monday collections.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
February to AprilTo help manage intense spring growth on Keystone's heavily wooded properties, the county temporarily increases the weekly curbside yard waste limit from 2 cubic yards to 3 cubic yards (up to 18 bags or bundles).
Summer/Fall
June to NovemberDuring Atlantic Hurricane Season, avoid initiating major tree pruning if a tropical system is approaching. If a hurricane warning is issued for Hillsborough County, immediately secure all carts and do not put yard waste at the curb, as high winds turn loose branches into dangerous projectiles.
Winter
December to JanuaryLive Christmas trees can be placed curbside on your normal yard waste collection day. Remember to strip the tree of all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand. Extremely large trees should be cut to fit the 4-foot branch rule.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans into Cash Right Here in Keystone!
Hey neighbors! Did you know you can make a few bucks off those empty aluminum cans and plastic bottles? While Keystone Heights Environmental Convenience Center is a great spot for general recycling, if you're looking to get cash back for recyclables, you'll want to check out places like the scrap yards or redemption centers a bit further out. Sometimes making a trip to Gainesville or St. Augustine can get you paid for those materials. Keep an eye out for local events too; sometimes community groups host collection drives where you can contribute your recyclables for a good cause and potentially get a small payout.
Give Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life in Keystone!
Got furniture, clothes, or household items that are still in good shape but you don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, think about donating them! The nearest Habitat for Humanity ReStore is often a fantastic place to drop off usable building materials, furniture, and appliances. You can also look for local thrift stores in surrounding communities that accept donations. Giving items a second chance not only helps others but keeps perfectly good stuff out of the landfill. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Keeping Keystone Clean: What to Do About Junk!
Let's keep our beautiful Keystone tidy! If you've got bulky items beyond the usual limits, or items that just don't belong in your regular bin, it's good to know the proper channels. For specific hazardous waste or large item disposal that isn't covered by regular pick-up, contacting the local waste management services directly is your best bet. They can guide you on special collection days or where to take specific items. Reporting illegal dumping is super important too – if you see something, say something! Your local authorities will have information on how to report it safely and effectively to help keep our community clean.
Drop-off Facilities
Northwest County Solid Waste Facility
8001 W. Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, FL 33625
Materials Accepted
Hillsborough Heights Solid Waste Facility
6209 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Is trash pickup delayed for holidays in Keystone, FL?
No. Hillsborough County does not schedule holiday makeup days. If your collection day falls on an observed holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, your items will be picked up on your next regularly scheduled service day.
What is the rule for recycling plastics in Keystone?
Hillsborough County asks residents to ignore the recycling numbers on plastic items. You should only recycle plastic items based on their shape: clean and empty plastic bottles and jugs are the only plastics allowed in the blue cart.
How can I throw away an old mattress in Keystone?
Bulky items are not collected with standard curbside service. You must either call Hillsborough County at (813) 272-5680 to schedule and pay for a special pickup, or self-haul the mattress to a Community Collection Center using your annual property assessment allowance.
Are there limits to how much yard waste I can put out?
Yes. Standard regulations allow for up to 2 cubic yards of yard waste per week. However, during the spring growth months of February, March, and April, this limit is temporarily expanded to 3 cubic yards (about 18 bags or bundles).