Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Palm River-Clair Mel
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice weekly, with specific collection days (such as Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday) determined by your neighborhood address via Hillsborough County's schedule lookup tool.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week in the blue roll cart on your neighborhood's designated pickup day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected once per week on your scheduled collection day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside collection and disposal services are billed annually as non-ad valorem assessments on your Hillsborough County property tax bill rather than through a separate monthly utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Annual Property Tax Bill (Online, Mail, In-Person via Tax Collector)
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen discounts (for homeowners 65+), low-income hardship credits, and free disability back-door collection services are available for qualifying residents.
Gray Cart Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged and fit entirely inside the gray cart with the lid completely closed. Place the cart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the arrows pointing toward the street, ensuring 3 feet of clearance on all sides.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam (foam cups and packing materials)
- ✓Soiled paper, napkins, and pizza boxes
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Broken glass or ceramics (securely wrapped)
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. All items must be deposited loosely into the blue cart. Ensure materials are reasonably clean and dry to prevent mold and contamination.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry paper, mail, and flattened cardboard
- ✓Rinsed plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Empty aluminum cans and tin food cans
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Empty paperboard cartons (cereal boxes, milk cartons)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or plastic film of any kind
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Batteries, electronics, or hazardous waste
- ✕Yard debris
- ✕Clothing or textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use county roll carts for yard waste. Place materials in your own trash cans, cardboard boxes, or heavy-duty bags (under 50 lbs each). Branches must be cut to 4 feet or less in length and be less than 6 inches in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree branches and palm fronds
- ✓Shrubbery trimmings
- ✓Untreated wood scraps
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By pre-arranged special request or via self-hauling to a designated facility
Placement
If you pay for a special pickup, items must be placed at the curb away from trees, mailboxes, parked cars, and overhead power lines, so the grapple truck can safely reach them.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and reclining chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large kitchen appliances
- ✓ Dressers and shelving units
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Liquid paint and hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Car parts and lead-acid batteries
- ✕ Commercial business waste
A special curbside collection incurs a fee (typically $30 to $50). Alternatively, residents can transport bulk items to a Community Collection Center for free, provided they bring a matching photo ID and property tax bill proving their residency and paid assessment.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Hillsborough County solid waste services operate normally on most holidays (like Memorial Day or July 4th). However, there is no garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day. If your collection falls on one of these three holidays, your items will be picked up on your next regularly scheduled day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is subject to the exact same delay rules as standard trash and recycling during the major three winter holidays.
Community Collection Centers are also closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, and may have altered hours on the day before a major holiday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
February, March, AprilTo accommodate heavy spring landscaping, the weekly yard waste collection limit increases from 2 cubic yards to 3 cubic yards. Take advantage of this window to do major tree trimming and brush clearing.
Summer/Fall
June to NovemberDuring Atlantic Hurricane Season, pay close attention to local weather alerts. Do not trim trees or place bulk items at the curb if a tropical storm or hurricane warning has been issued for Hillsborough County, as these materials can become dangerous airborne projectiles.
Winter
Late December to JanuaryLive Christmas trees can be placed curbside on your regular yard waste collection day. You must remove all lights, tinsel, ornaments, and the stand. If the tree is exceptionally tall, chop it into sections measuring 4 feet or less.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Those Bottles and Cans into Cold Cash Around Palm River-Clair Mel!
Hey neighbors! Did you know you might be able to get a little money back for those empty soda cans and plastic bottles? While Palm River-Clair Mel doesn't have a dedicated buyback center right in town, you're not too far from options that pay. Head over to the Tampa area, and you'll find places that take aluminum cans and plastic bottles. It's a great way to clear out your recycling bin and pocket some extra cash. Check out local scrap yards in the Tampa vicinity – some will pay for metals and certain plastics. Every little bit helps, right?
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Our Community
Got items you're done with but are still in good shape? Instead of tossing them, consider donating! Right in or near Palm River-Clair Mel, there are organizations that would be thrilled to give your pre-loved items a new home. Think about dropping off usable furniture, clothing, or household goods to places like Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the Tampa Bay area. They help fund affordable housing projects and give items a new lease on life. You'll declutter your home and support a good cause at the same time!
Keeping Our Neighborhood Sparkling: Tackling Litter Together
Let's be honest, nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be. If you ever spot illegal dumping happening in Palm River-Clair Mel, it's important to report it to Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management. They have resources to help clean up these areas and prevent it from happening again. Keep an eye out for community clean-up events too; these are fantastic opportunities to pitch in and make our shared spaces look their best. Staying proactive keeps our community beautiful for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
South County Solid Waste Facility
13000 US Highway 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
Materials Accepted
Hillsborough Heights Solid Waste Facility
6209 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palm River-Clair Mel have city-run trash pickup?
No. Because Palm River-Clair Mel is an unincorporated area, residential waste collection is managed by Hillsborough County Solid Waste, which assigns private franchised haulers to service the neighborhoods.
Is bulk trash pickup free in Palm River-Clair Mel?
Curbside bulk pickup is not free. You must call Hillsborough County Customer Service to arrange a special collection, which comes with a fee. However, you can haul bulk items yourself to a Community Collection Center for free if you show proof of your annual solid waste assessment.
What happens if my trash day falls on a holiday?
Collection only pauses for three major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your pickup falls on one of these days, you must wait until your next regularly scheduled collection day. Services run normally on all other holidays.
Can I put my yard waste in the blue or gray county carts?
No. Yard waste must never be placed in the county-provided roll carts. You must use your own trash cans, heavy-duty bags, or cardboard boxes, and ensure no container exceeds 50 pounds.