Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Plant City
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice weekly depending on your neighborhood route (typically Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday).
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected once weekly on your designated service day through the city's voluntary program.
Yard Waste
Every Wednesday
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste and recycling charges are automatically billed monthly on your combined municipal utility statement alongside water and sewer services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Bank-to-Bank), Phone, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans to Cash In Around Plant City?
Did you know you can turn some of your recyclables into actual cash right here in the Plant City area? While our regular curbside recycling is super important for keeping things out of the landfill, for those aluminum cans and maybe some specific types of plastic or glass, you might be able to get a little something back. Check out local scrap yards; places like Sunshine Scrap Metal in Lakeland are usually a good bet, or you can look for redemption centers that specifically handle beverage containers. It's a great way to make a few extra bucks while still being good to the environment!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a New Life in Plant City!
Before you toss that couch or those clothes that just don't fit anymore, think about giving them a second chance! Plant City and the surrounding areas have some wonderful spots that would be thrilled to take your usable items. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lakeland are fantastic for furniture, building supplies, and home goods. You might also find local thrift stores or churches looking for donations of clothing, books, and household items. It’s a win-win: you declutter, and someone else gets a great deal or much-needed item.
Keeping Plant City Beautiful: Reporting Dumping and Community Cleanups
We all want Plant City to look its best, right? If you ever notice someone dumping trash illegally, it's super helpful to let the city or county know. You can usually report illegal dumping by contacting the City of Plant City's Solid Waste Management Department or even the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office if it's happening outside city limits. They have procedures to handle these situations and keep our neighborhoods clean. Also, keep an eye out for local community cleanup events that pop up now and then – they’re a fantastic way to pitch in and meet your neighbors!
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.