Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sun City Center
Trash Day
Curbside garbage is collected twice per week (typically Monday/Thursday, Tuesday/Friday, or Wednesday/Saturday depending on your street address). Residents can verify their exact collection days using Hillsborough County's address lookup tool.
Recycling
Collected once per week on your neighborhood's designated recycling day.
Yard Waste
Collected once per week on your neighborhood's designated yard waste day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (or no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and yard waste services are not billed monthly; they are included as an annual non-ad valorem assessment on your Hillsborough County property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Hillsborough County Property Tax Bill (Online, Mail, In-Person)
Pro Tip / Discount
Hillsborough County offers a Senior Citizen Discount (ages 65+) on the annual solid waste assessment, a Solid Waste Hardship/Affordability Credit for eligible low-income homeowners, and accessory dwelling exemptions for seniors or individuals with disabilities.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All household garbage should be bagged before placing it in the gray cart to prevent odors, pests, and litter. Do not overfill the cart; the lid must close tightly to be serviced.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Plastic bags and wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Textiles and worn clothing
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do NOT bag recyclables. All acceptable items must be placed loosely into the blue cart. Ensure all food and beverage containers are completely empty and rinsed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean and empty plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Clean and empty aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean and empty glass bottles and jars
- ✓Dry paper, newspaper, and junk mail
- ✓Clean flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags, film, or shrink wrap
- ✕Bagged recyclables
- ✕Styrofoam packing materials
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, clothing)
Yard Waste Bin
Limit of 2 cubic yards weekly. Use personal containers or bags (max 50 lbs each). Branches must be under 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter, and must be bundled or stacked.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Tree limbs and branches
- ✓Shrub trimmings and palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Self-haul only (up to 10 cubic yards annually)
Placement
Do not leave bulky items at the curb. You must bring them to a designated Community Collection Center during operating hours and show a valid photo ID and your property tax bill.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, mattresses, tables)
- ✓ Large household appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Tires (limit of 12 per year)
- ✓ Scrap metal and bulky household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Dump trailers are not allowed (must unload by hand)
- ✕ Commercial construction waste
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals (unless at specific HHW events)
Residential customers receive 10 cubic yards of free bulky waste disposal per year. Once this limit is reached, standard commercial tipping fees apply.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the rest of the week will be pushed back by one day. For example, a Thursday holiday means Thursday service moves to Friday, and Friday service moves to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling follow the same holiday shift schedule as regular household garbage.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are typically no delays to the weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring Cleanup
February - AprilDuring peak landscaping months, residents frequently undertake major yard cleanups. Ensure you do not exceed the 2-cubic-yard weekly limit, and never mix contractor-generated debris into your personal curbside piles.
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued for Hillsborough County, immediately secure all gray and blue carts inside your garage. Do not place any yard waste or branches at the curb, as high winds can turn them into dangerous projectiles.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryLive Christmas trees are collected at the curb on your regular yard waste collection day. You must remove all lights, tinsel, and ornaments, and the tree must be cut into sections no larger than 4 feet long.
Local Tips & Community Info
Pocket Some Extra Change in Sun City Center: Where to Turn Your Cans & Bottles!
Did you know some of your recyclables can actually put money back in your pocket right here near Sun City Center? While our regular bins handle a lot, for those aluminum cans and plastic bottles, a quick trip might be worthwhile. While there aren't specific 'buyback centers' listed directly within Sun City Center, you'll want to look for scrap metal yards in the general Tampa Bay area that might accept sorted recyclables. For that state-mandated bottle and can redemption, Florida does have programs, so keep an eye out for redemption centers further afield in Ruskin or Bradenton, or ask your local scrap yard if they participate in any state-specific refund programs. Every little bit helps!
Giving Your Old Treasures a Second Life in Sun City Center
Got items that are still perfectly good but just don't fit your life anymore? Instead of letting them go to waste, consider donating them locally. Sun City Center residents have a few great options! The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Ruskin is always looking for furniture, appliances, and building materials. You might also find local churches or community centers that accept donations for their own thrift shops or outreach programs. Giving your gently used items a new home not only helps others but also keeps them out of the landfill. It's a win-win for our community!
Keeping Sun City Center Spick and Span: Reporting Dumping & Special Cleanups
We all want Sun City Center to look its best! If you ever spot illegal dumping – folks leaving trash where it doesn't belong – it's important to let the right people know so it can be cleaned up. For general bulk item pickup that might not fit your regular schedule, or if you're dealing with potentially hazardous waste like old paint or electronics, it's best to check with Hillsborough County's Solid Waste Department. They often have special collection events or designated drop-off sites throughout the year. You can usually find information on their website or by giving them a call to ensure waste is handled responsibly and safely.
Drop-off Facilities
Wimauma Solid Waste Facility (Community Collection Center)
16180 W. Lake Dr., Wimauma, FL 33598
Materials Accepted
South County Solid Waste Facility
13000 US Hwy 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recycle glass in Sun City Center?
Yes. While some neighboring counties have removed glass from their programs, Hillsborough County still accepts clean and empty glass bottles and jars in your curbside blue recycling cart [1.4.1].
How do I get rid of an old mattress or refrigerator?
Hillsborough County does not offer regular curbside bulk pickup. Residents must self-haul large bulky items or appliances to a Community Collection Center, such as the nearby Wimauma Solid Waste Facility. You are provided an annual 10-cubic-yard free disposal allowance; just remember to bring your photo ID and a copy of your property tax bill.
Why didn't the hauler empty my blue recycling cart?
The most common reason for a missed recycling collection is that items were placed inside plastic bags. Hillsborough County strictly requires all recyclables to be placed loosely inside the blue cart. If they see plastic grocery or trash bags, they will leave the cart at the curb.
What happens if my garbage day falls on Thanksgiving or Christmas?
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all waste collections for the remainder of that week are pushed back by one day. For example, Thursday pickups will occur on Friday, and Friday pickups will occur on Saturday.