Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tampa
Trash Day
Trash (blue cart) is collected twice per week, running either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling (green cart) is collected once per week on your designated service day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected once per week on your designated service day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential solid waste and recycling fees are conveniently billed together on your monthly City of Tampa utility bill along with water and wastewater services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Residents aged 65 and older may apply for the Solid Waste Senior Residential Discount. Income-qualified residents can also apply for the Customer Assistance Program (CAP).
Blue Cart Bin (Trash)
Place the blue cart curbside no later than 6:00 AM on your two designated collection days. Ensure 3 feet of clearance from obstacles. Carts must be removed from the curb by sunset and stored out of street view.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Heavily soiled paper
Green Cart Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the green cart; do not bag them. Set out by 6:00 AM once a week on your designated recycling day, leaving 3 feet of clearance around the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper, newspaper, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in a personal container, paper lawn bags, or securely bundled. Bundles must be tied with jute twine ONLY (no plastic string). Total weight per container/bundle cannot exceed 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Tree limbs and palm fronds
- ✓Shrubbery trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Annually via the scheduled S.W.E.E.P. program.
Placement
Place items curbside on the right of way by 8:00 PM the Sunday of your S.W.E.E.P. week (earliest set-out is 5 days prior). Do not block vehicles, water meters, low trees, or utility lines.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers, tables)
- ✓ Large appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpeting and rugs
- ✓ Up to 4 vehicle tires (must be separated)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous materials and wet paint
- ✕ Car parts and engines
- ✕ Commercial waste
- ✕ Cardboard (place in recycling cart instead)
The first 10 cubic yards are free during your assigned week. Debris exceeding this limit, or items picked up via an off-schedule special request, will cost $18.12 per cubic yard.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major observed holiday falls on a scheduled collection day, that day's service is suspended and pushed to the following day. Normal schedules typically resume at the end of the holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections will experience the same one-day delay if they fall on the affected holiday.
Monday routes are the most frequently impacted by federal holidays. Download the Tampa Trash and Recycling App for instant push notifications regarding schedule alterations.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberWhen a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued for the Tampa Bay area, immediately stop all major yard pruning. Do not place S.W.E.E.P bulk items, yard trimmings, or rollout carts at the curb, as high winds can easily turn these items into dangerous projectiles.
Annual S.W.E.E.P. Rollout
Year-RoundTampa's S.W.E.E.P. collections occur sequentially across different neighborhoods throughout the year. Always verify your specific zone's week using the Tampa Trash app. Placing items at the curb more than five days before your scheduled week is considered illegal dumping.
Winter Holidays
November - JanuaryTampa typically alters collection schedules for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. If your normal pickup falls on the holiday, service is usually delayed by one day. Keep an eye on the official Tampa website or app for exact schedule shifts.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans & Bottles into Cold Cash Around Tampa Bay!
Did you know you can get a few bucks back for those aluminum cans and plastic bottles? Florida has a state program for that! While Tampa itself might not have a ton of individual buyback centers right in the heart of the city, keep an eye out for scrap metal yards like Sims Metal in Tampa. They often buy aluminum, copper, and other metals. Also, check with local recycling centers listed on Hillsborough County's waste management website, as some may offer small payouts for certain materials beyond what's in your blue bin.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Tampa
Before you toss that couch or those clothes, think about donating them! Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the Tampa Bay area are fantastic spots for furniture, appliances, and building materials. You can also check out local charities like Metropolitan Ministries, which accepts clothing, household goods, and furniture. Goodwill also has many locations throughout Tampa where your donations can help fund job training programs for our neighbors.
Tackling Junk Around Tampa: Let's Keep Our Neighborhoods Clean!
Seeing illegal dumping is a real bummer, right? If you spot anything suspicious like old mattresses or piles of construction debris dumped where they shouldn't be, the City of Tampa Solid Waste Department wants to know. You can usually report it by calling (813) 274-8811. Sometimes, the county or local community groups organize neighborhood clean-up events. Keep an eye on local news or community boards for announcements – it's a great way to pitch in and make Tampa even more beautiful, especially before big events or holidays.
Drop-off Facilities
McKay Bay Scalehouse & Transfer Station
114 South 34th Street, Tampa, FL 33605
Materials Accepted
Northwest County Solid Waste Facility (HHW Drop-off)
8001 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, FL
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
I live in New Tampa; who picks up my garbage?
If you live in New Tampa, your waste collection is managed by Hillsborough County Solid Waste, not the City of Tampa. You will need to contact the county at 813-272-5680 or visit their website to find your specific collection schedule and bulk waste rules.
How does the Tampa S.W.E.E.P. program work?
S.W.E.E.P. is Tampa's free annual bulk trash pickup program. The city assigns every eligible address a specific week during the year to place up to 10 cubic yards of large items (like furniture and appliances) at the curb. You must place your items out no later than 8:00 PM on the Sunday that begins your scheduled week.
Can I dump items for free at the McKay Bay Transfer Station?
Yes, Tampa residents who have an active solid waste utility account can self-haul standard bulk items to the McKay Bay Scalehouse for free. You must bring your driver's license and a utility bill, and the name and address must match on both documents. If you do not meet these criteria, you will be charged.
What are the rules for tying yard waste bundles in Tampa?
If you are bundling tree branches or palm fronds for curbside yard waste collection, you must use natural jute twine. The city strictly prohibits the use of plastic string, zip ties, or nylon rope, as these synthetic materials wrap around and break the organic mulching equipment. Additionally, no bundle can weigh more than 50 pounds.