Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Valrico
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.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be bagged before being placed in the gray cart to prevent odors and litter. The lid must close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loosely in the blue cart. Do not bag your recyclables. Break down all cardboard boxes to save space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1 and #2)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Limit of 2 cubic yards per week. Limbs must be under 6 inches in diameter. Use your own containers, bags, or bundle the debris with twine.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree limbs (under 4 feet)
- ✓Palm fronds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free pickups per calendar year
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb no earlier than 24 hours before your scheduled pickup date. Keep items at least 3 feet away from mailboxes, cars, and regular roll carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, mattresses)
- ✓ Large household appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Commercial waste
The first two scheduled pickups are free. Additional volume or pickups may incur extra fees from the hauler, or residents can haul items to a Community Collection Center at no extra charge with a valid property tax bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no collection on Thanksgiving and Christmas. For trash and yard waste, there are no makeup days; collection resumes on your next regularly scheduled day. For recycling, the makeup collection day is typically the Saturday following the holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
No makeup day is provided for yard waste on these two holidays.
All other holidays (including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day) operate on a normal collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Glass Out
Never put glass in your curbside blue cart. Broken glass shards contaminate paper bales and destroy sorting machinery. Take it to a county drop-off site instead.
Loose is Best
Bagged recyclables end up in the landfill because sorting facilities cannot safely open them. Always toss your paper, cans, and plastics loosely into the blue bin.
Beware of Tanglers
Garden hoses, electrical cords, and clothing are considered 'tanglers'. They wrap around the gears at the recycling plant, forcing the entire facility to shut down for hours.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberIf a named storm is approaching Valrico, secure all roll carts indoors or in a garage. Do not place yard waste or bulk items at the curb if a storm warning has been issued, as they can become dangerous projectiles.
Spring Cleaning
March - MayDuring peak yard cleanup months, ensure your lawn waste strictly follows the 2-cubic-yard limit. If you have excess brush from heavy trimming, utilize a Community Collection Center rather than overloading the curb.
Holiday Season
December - JanuaryFoil wrapping paper, ribbons, and styrofoam packaging peanuts belong in the gray trash cart. Only plain paper gift wrap and flattened cardboard shipping boxes should go in the blue recycling cart.
About Valrico Waste Management
Navigating Valrico Residential Waste Services
Because Valrico is an unincorporated area within Hillsborough County, local waste management is directly handled by the county's franchised haulers. Residents receive automated curbside collection utilizing standardized county carts. Trash is typically collected twice weekly, while recycling and yard waste are picked up once a week. Ensuring your bins are at the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated days helps maintain smooth neighborhood operations.
The Importance of Glass-Free Recycling
One of the most critical aspects of recycling in Valrico is the exclusion of glass from curbside blue carts. Hillsborough County updated its recycling guidelines to exclude glass to prevent contamination and equipment damage at processing facilities. Instead of placing jars and bottles in your blue bin, Valrico residents are encouraged to drop off clean glass containers at designated Community Collection Centers throughout the county.
Managing Yard Waste in a Subtropical Climate
Florida's rapid plant growth means yard maintenance is a year-round job. Valrico residents can place up to 2 cubic yards of yard debris at the curb each week. However, precision is key: branches must be cut to lengths of four feet or less and cannot exceed six inches in diameter. Leaves and grass clippings must be containerized in personal cans or bagged securely to prevent storm drain blockages.
Tackling Oversized Items with Bulky Waste Appointments
Getting rid of old furniture or broken appliances doesn't have to be a headache. Through the Hillsborough County Solid Waste program, Valrico households are entitled to two free bulky waste curbside pickups per calendar year. You must contact your specific franchise hauler to schedule this service in advance. Alternatively, residents with an active solid waste assessment on their tax bill can bring bulk items directly to local Community Collection Centers.
Drop-off Facilities
Hillsborough Heights Community Collection Center
6209 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recycle glass in my blue bin in Valrico?
No. Hillsborough County, which services Valrico, removed glass from curbside recycling to reduce contamination. You must dispose of glass in your gray trash cart or drop it off at a Community Collection Center.
Who do I call if my garbage wasn't picked up on time?
You should report missed collections directly to Hillsborough County Solid Waste Customer Service at 813-272-5680, or use the county's online 'Report a Missed Pickup' tool.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress?
Valrico residents get two free bulk curbside pickups per year. Call your franchised hauler to schedule an appointment, or take the furniture to the nearby Seffner Community Collection Center.
What is the holiday schedule for New Year's Day or Memorial Day?
Hillsborough County solid waste haulers only take Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day off. Trash, recycling, and yard waste are collected as normal on all other holidays, including New Year's Day and Memorial Day.