Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tampa
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Tape Your Broken Glass
If you are disposing of flat glass like mirrors, windows, or glass tabletops in your regular trash or during a S.W.E.E.P. collection, you must heavily wrap or duct-tape the glass first. This prevents the glass from shattering and injuring sanitation workers.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Green Cart
Plastic grocery bags and garbage bags are the most common contaminants in Tampa's recycling stream. They tangle in the automated sorting machinery, causing delays and damage. Take plastic bags back to the grocery store for recycling and keep your green cart materials loose.
Avoid 'Tanglers' in Yard Waste
When bundling tree branches or palm fronds, it is critical to use natural jute twine. Synthetic materials like nylon rope, plastic string, or zip ties cannot be processed by the city's organic mulching equipment and will contaminate an entire load of yard waste.
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.
About Tampa Waste Management
Twice-Weekly Garbage Collection and the New Tampa Exception
The City of Tampa offers a robust residential waste program, providing household garbage collection (blue carts) twice per week for all active utility customers. Recycling (green carts) and yard waste are collected once weekly. An important distinction for residents is location: those living in New Tampa are serviced by Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management, not the City of Tampa, and must follow the county's specific pickup guidelines and schedules.
The Generous S.W.E.E.P. Bulk Trash Program
Tampa’s Solid Waste Enhanced Environmental Program (S.W.E.E.P.) is a cornerstone of the city's waste management. Every eligible residential household is assigned one scheduled week per year to dispose of up to 10 cubic yards of bulk items (about the size of 10 standard ovens) completely free of charge. Items must be placed on the curb by 8:00 PM on the Sunday kicking off your neighborhood's S.W.E.E.P. week. If you miss this date or have excess debris, special pickups can be scheduled for $18.12 per cubic yard.
Utilizing the McKay Bay Transfer Station
If your annual S.W.E.E.P. collection has passed but you urgently need to dispose of an old mattress or broken refrigerator, you don't have to wait a full year. Tampa residents with an active solid waste utility account can self-haul bulk waste and yard debris to the McKay Bay Scalehouse on South 34th Street for free. To gain entry, you must present a driver's license and a utility bill that both match the name on your active account.
Managing Tropical Yard Debris
Given Florida's humid climate and fast-growing vegetation, yard maintenance is constant. The City of Tampa collects yard waste once a week, but strict rules apply. All leaves, grass clippings, and small trimmings must be placed in a personal container or heavy-duty paper lawn bags. Branches must be securely bundled. Most importantly, bundles must be tied with natural jute twine only—plastic bags, zip ties, or nylon ropes will ruin the city's mulching equipment. No single bag, can, or bundle can exceed 50 pounds.
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.