Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Ruskin
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice weekly (such as Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday depending on your specific address zone).
Recycling
Recycling is collected once weekly on your assigned collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected once weekly on your neighborhood's designated pickup day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential solid waste collection is not billed through a monthly utility bill; fees are assessed annually as a non-ad valorem item on your Hillsborough County property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included in Property Taxes)
Accepted Methods
Property Tax Bill (Online, Mail, Escrow)
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizens (age 65+) can receive a discount on the annual disposal assessment, and eligible low-income homeowners can apply for the Solid Waste Hardship Affordability Credit.
Gray Cart Bin (Trash)
All garbage must fit entirely inside the gray cart with the lid completely closed. Place the cart at the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the day before and no later than 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged trash
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper products
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loosely in the blue cart. Never bag your recyclables. Cardboard must be broken down and flattened to ensure it does not get wedged inside the cart during automated dumping.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Dry paper and newspaper
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags (of any kind)
- ✕Bagged recyclables
- ✕Foam containers (Styrofoam)
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
- ✕Batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Limit of 2 cubic yards per week. Do not place yard waste in your gray or blue carts. Use your own garbage cans, bags (under 50 lbs), or tie branches in small bundles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree limbs (under 4 feet long and 6 inches thick)
- ✓Shrub trimmings
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Request (Paid) or Self-Haul (Free Allowance)
Placement
If you schedule a paid special curbside pickup, place items at the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the day before the confirmed appointment, maintaining clearance from roll carts and mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Tires (limits apply)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Biomedical waste
- ✕ Explosives
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals (at curbside)
Self-hauling is free for residents paying the annual solid waste assessment. Curbside special pickups require an upfront fee, which varies based on the volume of the material.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Hillsborough County does not provide make-up days for skipped garbage collection. If a recognized holiday falls on your scheduled pickup day, your service is canceled and will resume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling generally follow the same skipped-day rule. However, on New Year's Day, garbage is skipped while recycling and yard waste are typically collected as usual.
Hillsborough County solid waste facilities and Community Collection Centers are also closed on major recognized holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued for the Tampa Bay area, secure your gray and blue roll carts inside a garage or sturdy shed. Suspend all major tree pruning, as curbside debris can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
Post-Storm Recovery
As NeededFollowing a major weather event, do not mix your standard yard waste (like fallen branches) with structural debris (like broken fencing or roofing materials). Wait for specific instructions from Hillsborough County regarding emergency FEMA debris sweeps.
Winter Holidays
November to JanuaryProtect local plumbing by participating in the county's Cooking Oil Recycling Effort (CORE). Instead of pouring leftover holiday frying oil down the drain, collect it in a sealed container and drop it off at the Gibsonton solid waste facility.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Bottles and Cans? Turn 'Em into Cash Around Ruskin!
Hey Ruskin neighbors! While we're all about proper trash and recycling, did you know you can actually get a little something back for certain recyclables? Florida has a state program for redeeming beverage containers, but for other metals and items, checking out local scrap yards can be a good move. Look for places like Sims Metal Management in nearby Tampa; they often take a variety of scrap metals that could otherwise end up as waste. It's a great way to make a few bucks while helping the environment, and it's way more rewarding than just tossing them in the bin.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Ruskin
Before you toss out items that are still in pretty good shape, think about donating them! Ruskin has some fantastic options to help others in our community. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Apollo Beach is always looking for furniture, appliances, and building materials to help fund their affordable housing projects. Plus, local thrift stores often accept clothing, household goods, and books. Giving these items a new home keeps them out of the landfill and supports great local causes. It feels good to help out a neighbor!
Keeping Ruskin Clean: Tackling Bulky Items and Dumping
We all know those big items can be a pain. For anything too large for your regular bin, like old furniture or appliances, Ruskin's Solid Waste Management Department has specific collection services – and it’s a good idea to check their guidelines so things get picked up smoothly. If you ever spot illegal dumping, which is a real eyesore and harmful to our environment, you can report it. Contacting the county or city directly is the best way to get these issues addressed quickly and keep our beautiful Ruskin clean and welcoming for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
South County Solid Waste Facility (Community Collection Center)
13000 U.S. Highway 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
Materials Accepted
Wimauma Solid Waste Facility
16180 West Lake Drive, Wimauma, FL 33598
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who manages garbage pickup for homes in Ruskin, FL?
Because Ruskin is an unincorporated community, residential trash, recycling, and yard waste services are managed directly by Hillsborough County Solid Waste Services, utilizing contracted franchise haulers.
What happens if my trash day falls on Thanksgiving in Ruskin?
Hillsborough County does not schedule make-up collection days for holidays. If your normal pickup is Thursday, your service will simply be skipped on Thanksgiving, and you must wait until your next regularly scheduled garbage day.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress in Ruskin?
You have two options: request a paid 'Special Curbside Pickup' from the county, or haul it yourself to the South County Solid Waste Facility in Gibsonton. Residents paying the solid waste assessment get up to 10 cubic yards of free self-haul bulk disposal annually.
Where can I safely dispose of paint, pesticides, or pool chemicals?
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is strictly prohibited in curbside bins. You can take items like paint, solvents, and pool chemicals to the South County Solid Waste Facility in Gibsonton, but this specific HHW drop-off is only available on the second Saturday of each month between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.