Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Plant City
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.
City-issued Cart (Color Varies) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged and fit entirely inside the cart with the lid closed. Place the cart 3 feet away from fences, mailboxes, and cars, and within 6 feet of the curb by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓General indoor refuse
Blue Bin Bin (Recycling)
Items must be emptied, rinsed, and dried. Wet items will spoil the entire load. Do NOT place your recycling in plastic bags; leave items loose in the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Milk and juice cartons
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspaper and office paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Wet or food-soiled items
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Glass (check local updates)
Yard Waste Bin
Placed out on Wednesdays by 6:00 a.m. Max weight of 40 lbs per bag/container. Branches must not exceed 5 inches in diameter or 5 feet in length. Specialized grabber trucks are required for larger loads.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree limbs and branches (tied and bundled)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request (One free load per 12-month period)
Placement
Items must be safely placed at the curb, ensuring they do not obstruct vehicular pathways or pedestrian sidewalks.
Accepted
- ✓ Old furniture (couches, mattresses)
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Horticultural refuse (large tree limbs)
- ✓ Minor DIY project materials (wood, drywall)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, pavers, and stones
- ✕ Mirrors and large sheets of glass
- ✕ HVAC ducts and solar panels
- ✕ Contractor-generated debris
After your single free annual load, you must call 813-659-4222 to request a free cost estimate for any additional bulk removals.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Plant City Solid Waste Division operates on most holidays, only suspending residential trash, recycling, and yard waste collection on Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Yard Waste Exception
If an observed holiday falls on a Wednesday, yard waste services will be suspended and typically shifted to the following day.
For any holiday not listed (such as New Year's Day or Memorial Day), you should assume normal collection schedules apply.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Dry
Moisture is the enemy of paper and cardboard recycling. If wet or dirty items are placed in the blue bin, they can easily contaminate and spoil the entire load. Always ensure cans and plastic containers are rinsed and thoroughly dried.
No Plastic Bags in the Blue Bin
Never bag your recyclables. The sorting equipment at the materials recovery facility cannot process items wrapped in plastic bags. Place all your clean, dry recyclables loosely into the blue bin.
DIY Materials Have Limits
While the city allows materials from minor DIY projects in bulk pick-ups, heavy items like concrete, pavers, bricks, stones, HVAC ducts, and sheets of glass are strictly prohibited because they damage the collection equipment.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberFollowing severe storms, massive yard debris exceeding standard limits (over 40 lbs, 5 inches in diameter, or 5 feet long) requires a specialized grabber truck. Call 813-659-4222 to schedule a special pickup for storm damage.
Spring Cleaning
March - MaySpring is an excellent time to use your one free annual 'Special Pick-up' load for oversized household clutter, old furniture, or broken appliances. Call ahead to schedule your free collection.
Winter Holidays
November - DecemberExpect collection delays exclusively during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks. Break down all cardboard gift and shipping boxes so they lay flat inside your blue recycling bin.
About Plant City Waste Management
Automated Cart Guidelines in Plant City
The Plant City Solid Waste Division manages all residential refuse collection internally, servicing homes with automated trucks. Depending on the size of your household, you can utilize a 95, 65, or 35-gallon cart. The city maintains a strict 'closed lid' policy—all garbage must fit entirely inside your cart, and no loose bags can be placed on the ground alongside it. Carts must be set out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, positioned within six feet of the curb with the lid arrows pointing toward the street.
Recycling Right with the Blue Bin
Plant City operates a focused residential recycling program utilizing dedicated blue bins. Unlike many municipalities that have stopped taking them, Plant City still actively accepts milk and juice cartons, provided they are rinsed out. The golden rule for the blue bin is keeping items completely unbagged. Throwing recyclables into plastic grocery bags or garbage bags automatically sends them to the landfill, as the sorting facilities cannot process wrapped items.
Dedicated Yard Waste Wednesdays
To keep neighborhoods looking pristine, Plant City dedicates every Wednesday to yard waste collection. Small debris, such as grass clippings and leaves, must be bagged in plastic or placed in standard containers, with each container weighing no more than 40 pounds. Tree limbs and brush must be neatly tied and bundled. Branches cannot exceed five feet in length or five inches in diameter. Commercial landscaper waste will not be collected by the city and must be hauled away by the contractor.
The Annual Free Special Pick-Up
Getting rid of oversized items like appliances or old furniture is easy for residential single-family accounts in Plant City. The city provides each household with one free 'Special Pick-up' load every 12 months. This service covers bulky furniture, household appliances, large horticultural debris, and even waste from minor DIY home projects. However, residents must call the Solid Waste Division at 813-659-4222 to request an estimate and properly schedule the specialized collection.
Drop-off Facilities
GFL Environmental - Plant City Transfer Station
402 N Frontage Road, Plant City, FL 33563
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old couch in Plant City?
Plant City offers residential single-family accounts one free load of bulky items (like old furniture or appliances) per 12-month period. You must call 813-659-4222 to arrange this 'Special Pick-up'.
What should I do if I have extra bags of garbage that don't fit in my cart?
The city strictly mandates that all garbage must be inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Loose bags placed on the ground will not be collected. If you routinely exceed your limit, contact the Utility Billing Department to upgrade to a 95-gallon cart for a small fee.
Does Plant City recycle milk and juice cartons?
Yes, unlike many neighboring municipalities, Plant City specifically accepts emptied, rinsed, and dried milk and juice cartons in the residential blue recycling bins.
Will my garbage be picked up on Memorial Day?
Yes. Plant City Solid Waste crews only observe three holidays per year: Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Your trash will be collected as normal on Memorial Day.