Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for University
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice per week. Specific pickup days (e.g., Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday) depend on your neighborhood and street address.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week in the blue roll cart on your designated neighborhood collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected once per week on your designated pickup day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (and no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential curbside collection and disposal fees are billed annually as a non-ad valorem assessment on your Hillsborough County property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included on Property Tax Bill)
Accepted Methods
Property Tax Escrow, Online, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen (65+) discounts are available on the annual solid waste disposal assessment, as well as disability accessory dwelling exemptions and hardship affordability credits.
Gray Cart Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged. The lid must close tightly with no overflow. Place the cart wheels against the curb by 6:00 a.m., keeping it at least 3 feet from other carts, mailboxes, and parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled paper items and diapers
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging and old grocery bags
- ✓Incandescent light bulbs
- ✓Cords, wires, and garden hoses
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do NOT bag recyclables; place them loosely inside the blue cart. The lid must close completely. Place exactly 3 feet away from your gray cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry plastic bottles and containers (#1-#7)
- ✓Empty aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Dry paper, newspaper, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard (must fit in cart)
- ✓Plastic and paper to-go cups
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags, bubble wrap, or film
- ✕Bagged recyclables
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Use your own reusable cans, boxes, or non-plastic bags. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. The weekly limit is 2 cubic yards or twelve 30-gallon containers. Each container/bundle must not exceed 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Shrub trimmings
- ✓Tree limbs (under 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
- ✓Live Christmas trees (all decorations removed)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request (Fee applies) or Self-Haul (Up to 10 cubic yards annually free)
Placement
If you schedule and pay for a Special Curbside Pickup, place the items directly at the curb away from your carts, mailboxes, and overhead wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Large yard and wood waste (exceeding curbside limits)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, paint, motor oil)
- ✕ Biohazardous or medical waste
- ✕ Liquid waste
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris
Special Curbside Pickups range from $30 to $50 depending on the size and type of items. Alternatively, residents can self-haul up to 10 cubic yards of bulky waste per year to a Community Collection Center for free by showing a photo ID and their property tax bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There are absolutely no holiday make-up days in Hillsborough County. If your scheduled collection day falls on an observed holiday, your service is skipped, and collection will simply resume on your next regularly scheduled collection day for that specific material.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same 'no make-up day' policy. If a holiday falls on your yard waste day, wait until the following week.
For New Year's Day, garbage is NOT collected, but recycling and yard waste ARE collected normally. Always double-check the county's digital schedule tool during major holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring Cleaning
February, March, AprilDuring the peak spring landscaping months, Hillsborough County temporarily increases the weekly curbside yard waste limit. You may set out up to eighteen 30-gallon containers or 3 cubic yards of stacked materials each week, rather than the standard limit of twelve.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryLive Christmas trees can be placed curbside on your regular yard waste collection day. You must remove all lights, tinsel, and decorations, and cut the tree into sections no larger than 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter.
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring active storm warnings, residents should immediately halt all yard trimming and secure their gray and blue roll carts indoors or firmly against their homes to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans to Cash In Around Gator Country?
While University itself doesn't have a dedicated municipal buyback center listed, don't let those aluminum cans and glass bottles go to waste! Florida has a statewide program, but for a real local cash-out, your best bet is to check out scrap metal yards in nearby Gainesville. Places like Gainesville Metal Recycling often take more than just scrap metal, sometimes including those recyclables. It's always a good idea to give them a quick call to see what they're buying and what their current rates are – you might be surprised how much a few bags of bottles can add up to!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in University
Instead of tossing perfectly good items, why not pass them on? For furniture, clothing, or household goods, consider donating to the Alachua County Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Gainesville. They’re always looking for donations to help fund their home-building projects. You might also find local thrift stores in the Gainesville area that accept a variety of items, giving your old treasures a new home and helping out a good cause.
Keeping Our University Town Spick and Span Together
Illegal dumping can really spoil the beauty of our area, and it's a problem we can tackle together. While there aren't specific recurring community clean-up events advertised for University at this moment, staying informed is key. Keep an eye on the UF Facilities Services Recycling and Solid Waste Management Office announcements – they sometimes organize campus or local clean-up drives. If you spot any illegal dumping, it's best to report it directly to UF's Solid Waste Management Office or the Alachua County Solid Waste & Public Works Department, as they handle enforcement and cleanup in the area.
Drop-off Facilities
Northwest County Solid Waste Facility (Community Collection Center)
8001 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, FL 33625
Materials Accepted
Sheldon Road Household Hazardous Collection Center
9805 Sheldon Rd., Tampa, FL 33615
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
If my garbage day falls on Thanksgiving in the University area, when will it be picked up?
Hillsborough County does not offer holiday make-up days. Since Thanksgiving is an observed holiday and no collection occurs, you must hold your garbage until your next regularly scheduled collection day (which would typically be the following Monday, as garbage is collected twice a week).
Can I leave extra bags of trash next to my gray cart if it is full?
No. All garbage must fit completely inside your gray cart with the lid closed. Overflowing trash or bags left on the ground will not be collected by the automated trucks and may be subject to additional fees. If you consistently have extra trash, you can request an additional cart from the county for an annual fee.
How do I get rid of an old mattress in the University CDP?
You have two options: You can self-haul the mattress to the Northwest County Solid Waste Facility (Community Collection Center) on Linebaugh Avenue for free as part of your annual 10-cubic-yard bulk allowance, or you can call 813-272-5680 to schedule a 'Special Curbside Pickup' at your home for a $30 to $50 fee.
Why didn't they pick up my yard waste in plastic bags?
Hillsborough County strictly prohibits the use of plastic bags for yard waste. Because the county processes yard debris into mulch, plastic bags contaminate the final product. You must use reusable cans, boxes, or compostable paper yard bags for your leaves and grass clippings.