Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Riverview
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.
Gray Cart Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. Leave at least a 3-foot clearance around the cart, with the arrow on the lid pointing toward the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (mandated by county)
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loose inside the blue cart. Do not bag recyclables. Carts containing prohibited items like glass or plastic bags will be tagged and left unemptied.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper (newspaper, mail, magazines)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (numbers 1 and 2)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
Yard Waste Bin
Limit of 2 cubic yards per week. Use personal containers (up to 50 lbs), paper yard bags, or tie into bundles. Bundles must be under 4 feet long and under 6 inches in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree limbs and branches
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Self-service drop-off (up to 12 times per year)
Placement
Must be dropped off in person. You must present a valid Florida ID and a copy of your Hillsborough County property tax bill to prove residency.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ White goods (appliances)
- ✓ Tires (up to 4 per year)
- ✓ Electronics
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial waste
- ✕ Contractor-generated debris
- ✕ Explosives or biohazards
Disposal is free for county residents as it is included in your annual solid waste non-ad valorem property tax assessment.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Hillsborough County only suspends garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Yard Waste Exception
If your yard waste collection falls on Thanksgiving or Christmas, it will not be collected that day. You must wait until your next scheduled yard waste collection day.
There are no makeup days. If your service is missed due to these two holidays, hold your materials until the next regular collection day for that specific bin.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass in the Gray Cart
Remember that Hillsborough County does not accept glass in the blue recycling carts. All glass bottles, jars, and broken glass must go directly into your gray garbage cart or be taken to a specialized drop-off site.
No Plastic Grocery Bags
Never bag your recyclables in plastic grocery bags, and do not throw empty bags into the blue cart. They jam the mechanical sorters at the processing facility. Return them to local grocery stores instead.
Ditch the Tanglers
Items like garden hoses, holiday lights, and extension cords are known as 'tanglers.' They wrap around the sorting gears, shutting down the entire recycling plant. Throw them in the regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued for Hillsborough County, immediately secure your gray and blue carts inside a garage. Do not place yard debris or bulk items at the curb, as they can become dangerous windborne projectiles.
Summer Rainy Season
May to OctoberHeavy afternoon thunderstorms can flood open garbage carts, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes and making the carts too heavy for the trucks to lift. Always ensure your cart lids are completely closed.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December to JanuaryAfter the winter holidays, ensure all shipping boxes are broken down and flattened before going into the blue cart. Foil wrapping paper and ribbons cannot be recycled and must go into the gray garbage cart.
About Riverview Waste Management
Hillsborough County Manages Riverview's Waste Services
Because Riverview is an unincorporated community, residential garbage and recycling are governed by the Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management Division. The county contracts with private haulers to provide automated curbside services. Residents are issued a large gray cart for household garbage and a blue cart for recycling, ensuring standardized and efficient collection across the rapidly growing Southshore region.
The Strict No-Glass Recycling Policy
A highly unique aspect of Riverview's recycling program is the complete ban on glass in the blue curbside carts. To reduce contamination and improve the marketability of other recyclables, Hillsborough County requires all glass bottles and jars to be thrown in the regular garbage. Alternatively, eco-conscious residents can take their clean glass containers to designated county drop-off centers for specialized processing.
Managing Rapid Florida Plant Growth
Riverview's warm, wet climate leads to rapid yard growth, making vegetative waste collection a crucial weekly service. You can place up to two cubic yards of yard waste at the curb each week. Unlike standard trash, you must use your own reusable containers, recyclable paper lawn bags, or securely tie your branches into bundles. Avoid using plastic bags for leaves, as they will not be collected by the yard waste trucks.
Disposing of Large Bulk Items at the South County CRC
Unlike cities that offer curbside bulk pickup on demand, Hillsborough County utilizes a self-service model for large items. Riverview residents can dispose of furniture, mattresses, and appliances at no extra out-of-pocket cost by visiting a Community Collection Center (CRC). The South County facility in nearby Gibsonton is the most convenient option, requiring only a photo ID and a copy of your annual property tax bill for entry.
Navigating Holiday Service Disruptions
Hillsborough County runs a remarkably consistent collection operation, observing only two major holidays per year: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If your normal pickup falls on one of these two days, service is simply skipped and resumes on your next regularly scheduled day for that specific material. There are no cascading delays or makeup days to keep track of.
Drop-off Facilities
South County Solid Waste Facility (Community Collection Center)
13000 US Highway 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I put glass in my recycling bin in Riverview?
Hillsborough County removed glass from its curbside recycling program to prevent contamination. Broken glass ruins other valuable recyclables like paper and cardboard, and wears down the sorting machinery. All glass must go in your gray trash cart.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch in Riverview?
Because Riverview is in unincorporated Hillsborough County, there is no curbside bulk pickup. You must take large items to a Community Collection Center, like the South County Solid Waste Facility in Gibsonton. Bring your ID and property tax bill for free disposal.
How much yard waste can I throw away each week?
Residents can place up to two cubic yards of yard waste at the curb each week. Leaves and clippings must be in your own reusable containers or paper lawn bags (no plastic bags). Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet.
Will my trash be picked up on holidays?
Hillsborough County solid waste collections run normally on almost all holidays, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If your collection falls on one of these two days, service will be skipped and will resume on your next regularly scheduled pickup day.