Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for St. Petersburg
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 Trash Container (typically Black/Dark Grey) Bin (Trash)
Bring to the curb by 7:00 AM and remove by 7:00 PM. Do not park vehicles in front of the bin, do not overfill it (the lid must close), and ensure it is placed within 2 feet of the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Kitchen waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Cold fireplace ashes
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely in the Blue Cart. Ensure all cardboard is flattened and all containers are rinsed clean of food residue.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans with lids
- ✓Flattened cardboard (max 4 ft. by 4 ft.)
- ✓Glass containers (all colors)
- ✓Milk, juice cartons, and drink boxes
- ✓Paper, newspapers, magazines, and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ceramics and mirrors
- ✕Food-tainted items
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Small debris can be managed at home, but tree limbs exceeding 3 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length are banned from residential bins and must be taken to a Brush Site or scheduled for a Special Pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by scheduling a Special Pickup.
Placement
Items should be placed at your normal collection point (curb or alley) only after confirming your scheduled Special Pickup date with the Sanitation Department.
Accepted
- ✓ Televisions and electronics
- ✓ Household furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Computer equipment
- ✓ Standard household appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials and chemicals
- ✕ Large tree limbs (unless scheduled as yard waste for a fee)
- ✕ Excessive building materials
- ✕ Tree stumps over 300 lbs
While standard household bulk items are free, large quantities of accumulated waste, heavy building materials, or excessive brush piles will incur a volume-based fee per cubic yard.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday schedules vary significantly based on the day of the week the holiday falls. Generally, collections scheduled on the holiday shift to the following day, creating a cascade effect. Download the St. Pete Collects app to view your exact modified schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
All five St. Petersburg Brush Sites are completely closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Zone-specific holiday calendars are mailed to residents at the start of each year and are available digitally on the city's website.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Prevent Dangerous Truck Fires
Never throw hot coals, lead-acid batteries, pesticides, pool chemicals, or lithium-ion batteries into your regular trash container. These volatile items are a leading cause of sanitation trucks spontaneously catching fire, which endangers city workers and neighborhoods.
Keep Flimsy Plastic Out of the Blue Cart
Plastic grocery bags and flimsy plastic wrap are considered tanglers. They do not belong in your curbside recycling bin, as they will jam the automated sorting machinery at the recycling facility. Return them to a local supermarket instead.
Flatten Your Cardboard Properly
Cardboard boxes consume massive amounts of space in recycling trucks if left whole. St. Petersburg requires all cardboard to be flattened into pieces no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet and stripped of any plastic film or styrofoam packing materials before entering the Blue Cart.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberWhen a tropical storm or hurricane approaches the Gulf Coast, immediately secure your trash and recycling carts indoors or tie them down. Suspend all major yard pruning and do not schedule bulk pickups, as severe winds will turn uncollected debris into hazardous projectiles.
Winter Holidays
December - JanuaryWhile regular collection days may shift based on exactly when Christmas and New Year's Day fall, be aware that all five of the city's Brush Sites are fully closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Spring Cleaning
March - MayAs you clear out garages and spare rooms, remember that St. Pete offers free special pickups for standard furniture and TVs. Take hazardous household chemicals like old paint and fertilizers to Pinellas County's specialized chemical drop-off events.
About St. Petersburg Waste Management
Managing Solid Waste in the Sunshine City
The City of St. Petersburg's Sanitation Department oversees residential trash and recycling services, offering both once-weekly and twice-weekly garbage collections depending on your property and service level. The city utilizes designated alley or curbside containers. To ensure efficient service, containers must be brought to the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day and removed by 7:00 PM. Always place the bin within two feet of the curb with the lid opening facing the street and the handles facing your home.
Navigating the St. Pete Collects App and Color-Coded Zones
St. Petersburg manages its massive collection footprint by dividing the city into color-coded zones (like A1-Grey or B2-Yellow). The easiest way to keep track of your specific zone's schedule, especially during holiday weeks, is by downloading the St. Pete Collects mobile app. This app not only provides real-time notifications for bad weather or holiday delays but also features a Waste Wizard to help you determine exactly which items belong in your Blue Cart.
Free Brush Sites and Yard Waste Disposal
Florida's lush environment means year-round yard maintenance. While small amounts of yard debris can be managed at home, tree limbs larger than 3 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length are strictly prohibited in your regular trash container. Fortunately, St. Petersburg operates five free Brush Sites open seven days a week where residents can drop off yard waste, appliances, and traditional recyclables. Note that if you have large logs, they are exclusively accepted at the 2500 26th Ave. S location.
Taking Advantage of Special Pickups
Disposing of bulky items like old televisions, computer equipment, and broken furniture shouldn't be a headache. The city offers a Special Pickup service that allows residents to have select large household items hauled away for free. You must call the Sanitation Department to schedule this service in advance. Be aware that excessive quantities of accumulated waste, large brush piles, or heavy building materials may incur a volume-based fee per cubic yard.
Drop-off Facilities
Brush Site (2500 26th Ave. S)
2500 26th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL
Materials Accepted
Crescent Lake Park Recycling Drop-off Site
1320 5th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL
Materials Accepted
Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex
3095 114th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw large tree branches in my St. Petersburg trash bin?
No. Tree limbs that are larger than 3 inches in diameter or longer than 4 feet are prohibited in your regular residential trash container. You must either take them to one of the city's five Brush Sites for free drop-off or call the Sanitation Department to schedule a Special Pickup.
How do I get rid of an old television or sofa in St. Pete?
St. Petersburg residents can dispose of TVs, electronics, and household furniture for free using the city's Special Pickup service. You must call Sanitation Customer Service at 727-893-7398 to schedule an appointment before placing these large items at the curb or in your alleyway.
What items belong in the Blue Cart?
Your Blue Cart is strictly for single-stream recyclables. This includes flattened cardboard (no larger than 4x4 feet), clean paper, milk and juice cartons, glass containers of all colors, aluminum/steel cans, and plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs. Do not put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food residue in this cart.
Where is the only place I can dispose of large tree logs?
While the city operates five distinct Brush Sites across St. Petersburg for standard yard waste, large logs are exclusively accepted at the 2500 26th Ave. S location. Ensure any stumps you bring weigh less than 300 pounds.