Tampa Trash Pickup Schedule (2026 Calendar & Holiday Delays)
Source-reviewed schedule
No regular trash pickup is scheduled for this date.
- Trash pickup days
- Monday & Tuesday & Thursday & FridaySet carts out Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street.
- Next trash pickup
- Oct 12Based on the listed schedule
- Recycling days
- Monday & Tuesday & Wednesday & Thursday & FridaySingle-stream collection
Regular trash pickup & collection details
| Service | Collection days | Placement or collection rule |
|---|---|---|
| Trash | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday · Twice weekly | Placement cutoff: Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street. |
| Recycling | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | Single-stream recycling |
| Bulk waste | Residential customers get one prescheduled S.W.E.E.P. collection every year for up to 10 cubic yards of bulky items at no additional charge. For off-cycle or additional bulky disposal, residents can schedule a special pickup with customer service at $18.12 per cubic yard, or drop off large items for free at the McKay Bay Scale House. | Up to 10 items per pickup |
| Yard waste | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | Year-round. Curbside collection provided once weekly up to 4 cubic yards. Yard waste must be placed in non-city issued garbage cans (32-gallon recommended), paper yard waste bags, or tied in bundles with jute twine. Maximum weight 50 lbs per bundle or container; limbs and logs up to 4 feet in length. Plastic bags of any kind are strictly prohibited. |
Trash container requirements
- City-issued blue garbage cart with lid closed
- Place all trash inside the cart with no garbage extending out
- Curbside placement no later than 6:00 a.m. on pickup day or evening before
- Maintain at least 3 feet of clearance from obstacles, vehicles, and other carts
- Remove cart by sunset on collection day to a location not visible from street
Tampa recycling overview
Single-stream recycling · Collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Accepted items
- Paper: clean paper envelopes (including plastic window envelopes), magazines, catalogs, mail, office paper
- Cardboard: corrugated cardboard boxes and clean paperboard egg cartons
- Aluminum and metal cans: beverage cans, food cans, and clean aluminum bottles
- Plastic bottles and containers: rigid bottles and jugs larger than the size of a fist
Prohibited items
- Plastic bags, plastic wrap, and film tanglers (never bag recyclables; place loose in cart)
- Aseptic cartons (juice boxes, broth cartons, and shelf-stable milk cartons)
- Pizza boxes soiled with grease, cheese, or food residue
- Shredded paper (cannot be sorted properly and ruins glass quality)
- Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam cups, plates, foam egg trays, and packing foam)
- Electronics, batteries, and hazardous materials
- Clothing, textiles, ropes, cords, and garden hoses
- Single-use disposable cutlery, plastic straws, plates, cups, and napkins
- Scrap metal items and automotive parts
Recycling safety alerts: Never place lithium batteries (fire risk), electronics or TVs, or loose shredded paper into residential recycling carts.
Tampa bulk pickup rules
| Collection rule | Residential customers get one prescheduled S.W.E.E.P. collection every year for up to 10 cubic yards of bulky items at no additional charge. For off-cycle or additional bulky disposal, residents can schedule a special pickup with customer service at $18.12 per cubic yard, or drop off large items for free at the McKay Bay Scale House. |
|---|---|
| Limit per pickup | 10 items |
| Permitted materials | Furniture, Appliances |
| Advance notice | Not required under the listed rules. |
| Dispatch phone | 813-274-8811 |
Tampa yard & garden waste rules
| Collection schedule | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday |
|---|---|
| Service type | Year-round collection |
| Curbside rules | Curbside collection provided once weekly up to 4 cubic yards. Yard waste must be placed in non-city issued garbage cans (32-gallon recommended), paper yard waste bags, or tied in bundles with jute twine. Maximum weight 50 lbs per bundle or container; limbs and logs up to 4 feet in length. Plastic bags of any kind are strictly prohibited. |
Accepted: grass clippings, leaves, garden weeds, and soft yard trimmings. Place directly inside your green organics cart or heavy 30-gallon brown paper lawn bags. Never use plastic trash bags; plastic tears in compost equipment and ruins finished mulch.
Cut tree branches to 3 to 4 feet in length and tie into bundles under 40 to 50 lbs. Use natural sisal or jute twine only. No wire or plastic rope; wire damages commercial chippers. Keep limb diameter under 4 inches.
Tampa Curbside Timing & HOA Fine Protection
Avoid costly municipal code citations ($50 to $100) and neighborhood HOA fines by following the verified set-out and retrieval windows for Tampa.
6:00 PM the Evening Before
Roll carts to the street after 6:00 PM prior to your scheduled pickup days (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday). Ensure carts are set out no later than Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street. collection morning.
7:00 PM on Collection Day
Empty carts must be removed from the curb line and returned to an approved storage location (garage, behind side gate, or screened enclosure) within 24 hours.
Homeowner Associations frequently target trash carts left at the street with $25 to $100 penalty letters. Keep in mind:
- State-Level Protections: Several states protect residents with statutory 24-hour collection grace periods that override restrictive HOA covenants.
- Contesting Selective Enforcement: If you receive a fine while neighboring bins are left out unpenalized, document the dates with photos and request a formal hearing in writing within 14 days.
- Approved Concealment: Store containers out of sight from the street to remain fully compliant with deed restrictions.
Why was my trash skipped in Tampa?
If your street had pickup today but your cart is still full, work through this quick diagnostic checklist before reporting a missed collection.
1. Check the set-out deadline (Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street.)▼
Tampa routes begin collection as early as Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street.. If your cart was rolled out after the truck passed, drivers cannot turn around for late set-outs without a dispatcher work order.
2. The 3-foot clearance rule▼
Automated mechanical arms need space to grip your container. Carts placed closer than 3 feet to mailboxes, parked cars, other bins, or low tree limbs cannot be safely grabbed by the truck.
3. Lid closure and overweight bins▼
Carts with lids resting open over 45 degrees or overflowing with extra bags are routinely skipped to prevent trash from spilling across the road. Ensure your cart lid shuts completely flat.
4. Wait until 7:00 PM before reporting▼
Trucks frequently experience equipment issues, heavy loads, or relief driver swaps. Collection often continues until 7:00 PM. Wait until evening before logging a formal missed pickup ticket.
If your cart was curbside on time with proper clearance, call dispatch or submit a ticket using this verified wording:
Tampa Snow, Ice & Severe Weather Pickup Policy
Heavy snowfall, black ice, and tropical storms can make streets dangerous for 30-ton sanitation compactor trucks. Here is how service suspensions and makeup collections are handled in Tampa.
If morning road conditions ground trucks, collection typically slides by one business day for the rest of the week, with Friday routes completed on Saturday. If sub-zero conditions or unplowed roads persist past 48 hours, missed routes are rescheduled for the following regular cycle.
When an official severe weather emergency forces the cancellation of a full collection week, haulers generally permit residents to place up to two extra tied garbage bags next to their cart on the next service day without purchasing special overflow tags.
During active winter storm warnings or hurricane advisories, monitor the Tampa emergency alert portal for real-time truck deployment status, or review our national storm delay recovery guide.
Tampa Seasonal Disposal & Cleanup Calendar
Special city cleanup programs run during key seasonal transitions throughout the year in Tampa.
Natural Christmas trees are collected curbside during the first two weeks of January. Strip all lights, stands, and tinsel. Cut trees over 6 feet in half and do not bag in plastic.
Rake leaves to the curb edge for vacuum trucks or pack into 30-gallon brown paper lawn bags. Never use plastic bags or rake leaves into bike lanes or storm drains.
Many county landfills and city yards host free residential dump days in April and May where gate tipping fees are waived for bulky household items and scrap metal.
Moving to Tampa? New Resident Waste Setup Guide
Setting up utilities at a new home can be overwhelming. Here is what you need to know about trash collection, billing, and moving boxes in Tampa.
Municipal Public Works (City DPW)
Trash and recycling services are automatically provided and funded through your municipal property taxes.
Carts Remain With the Property
Wheeled trash and recycling carts are assigned to the street address by serial number. If your home has missing or broken bins upon move-in, contact public works for a replacement.
Do not leave towering piles of unflattened moving boxes at the curb. Empty all Styrofoam and bubble wrap completely, slit all tape seams flat with a utility knife, and cut boxes to 3x3 foot sections so they fit inside your blue cart.
Tampa Broken Cart Repair & Extra Bin Requests
Mechanical lift arms on collection trucks can crack plastic bin bodies or snap wheels off over time. Follow these steps for free cart repairs or ordering a second container.
Damaged Wheels, Lids & Bodies
If your cart is damaged by normal collection wear or dropped by the truck arm, public works will repair or replace it at no charge. Locate the 6 to 8 digit serial number hot-stamped on the front of the cart body before calling.
Order a Second Cart
Large households generating extra waste can lease an additional 64 or 96 gallon container. Extra bins typically add an affordable fee ($5 to $12 monthly) to your city utility bill.
Tampa Wildlife, Pest & Odor Prevention
Warm summer weather turns outdoor carts into fly breeding zones, while overnight food smells attract raccoons and neighborhood wildlife. Use these verified sanitation practices to keep your property clean.
Pour a kettle of boiling water directly into your empty cart to eliminate fly larvae instantly with zero harsh chemicals. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda across the bottom to absorb liquids, and double-bag seafood or meat scraps in summer.
Do not rely on elastic bungee cords, which raccoons easily unhook with their paws. Use heavy-duty ratchet straps or certified mechanical lid latches. Where wildlife is active, roll carts out on collection morning rather than leaving them overnight.
Tampa Street Sweeping & Parking Ticket Shield
Mechanical street sweepers frequently run on or immediately following residential trash pickup days. Avoid $45 to $85 parking tickets with these curbside rules.
Place Carts Behind the Curb Line
Never place garbage or recycling carts in the street asphalt gutter on street sweeping days. Keep wheels on the sidewalk or parkway grass strip so street sweeping broom brushes can clean curb gutters without tipping carts over.
Check Posted Parking Restriction Hours
Verify street signs for posted sweeping hours. Parking enforcement officers routinely ticket vehicles parked on the scheduled curb side during sweeper operating hours ($45 to $85 citation).
Tampa Area Landfills & Citizen Drop-Off Stations
When you have large renovation loads, dirt, concrete, or bulky waste exceeding curbside limits, self-haul directly to a verified transfer station or county landfill serving Hillsborough County.
📍 114 South 34th Street, Tampa, FL 33605
Tampa residents with active solid waste accounts can dispose of large items like yard waste, furniture, mattresses, and appliances for free. Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
All open truck beds and trailers must be secured with a tarp. Unsecured loads face an immediate $20 to $50 state fee at the scale.
Most facilities have a minimum entry fee ($25 to $45) covering up to 1,000 lbs, with prorated per-ton rates for heavier commercial debris.
To receive discounted residential gate rates, bring a valid state driver license and a current local municipal water or utility bill.
Tampa holiday trash delays
Listed strategy: skip. Collection on a listed holiday is skipped.
Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. Named holidays recur each year; explicit dates apply only to their listed year.
2026 Holiday Collection Calendar: Tampa, FL
Official schedule adjustments for recognized 2026 holidays. When a holiday falls on or before your collection day, review whether curbside pickups slide forward:
| Holiday | Observed Date | Schedule Status | Curbside Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday, Jan 1, 2026 | Canceled | Pickups on Thursday are canceled. Service resumes on your next regular collection day. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, Jan 19, 2026 | Canceled | Pickups on Monday are canceled. Service resumes on your next regular collection day. |
| Presidents' Day | Monday, Feb 16, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25, 2026 | Canceled | Pickups on Monday are canceled. Service resumes on your next regular collection day. |
| Juneteenth | Friday, Jun 19, 2026 | Canceled | Pickups on Friday are canceled. Service resumes on your next regular collection day. |
| Independence Day | Friday, Jul 3, 2026 | Canceled | Pickups on Friday are canceled. Service resumes on your next regular collection day. |
| Labor Day | Monday, Sep 7, 2026 | Canceled | Pickups on Monday are canceled. Service resumes on your next regular collection day. |
| Columbus Day | Monday, Oct 12, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026 | Canceled | Pickups on Wednesday are canceled. Service resumes on your next regular collection day. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, Nov 26, 2026 | Canceled | Pickups on Thursday are canceled. Service resumes on your next regular collection day. |
| Christmas Day | Friday, Dec 25, 2026 | Canceled | Pickups on Friday are canceled. Service resumes on your next regular collection day. |
Curbside collections on Thanksgiving Day are canceled until the next regularly scheduled cycle.
Christmas Day collection is skipped until the next regular pickup day.
Natural evergreen trees can be set out curbside in January. Remove all tree stands, lights, nails, ornaments, and tinsel before placing at the curb.
Personalized Route Reminders & Holiday Push Notifications
Never miss trash day or get surprised by holiday delays. Subscribe directly to your device calendar for free lock-screen alerts at 7:00 PM the night before and automatic holiday schedule shift warnings.
Step 1: Choose Your Street Collection Day
Showing personalized schedule for each routeTrash: Weekly collection (Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street.)
Recycling: Collected on Monday (single stream)
Trash: Weekly collection (Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street.)
Recycling: Collected on Tuesday (single stream)
Normal schedule across holidays
Trash: Weekly collection (Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street.)
Recycling: Collected on Thursday (single stream)
Trash: Weekly collection (Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street.)
Recycling: Collected on Friday (single stream)
Tampa, FL Sanitation Schedule
Hauler: City of Tampa Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management | Support: 813-274-8811
Days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Frequency: twice weekly
Cart Time: Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street.
- City-issued blue garbage cart with lid closed
- Place all trash inside the cart with no garbage extending out
Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Stream: single stream
Bulk Allowed: Yes (max 10 items)
Bulk Rule: Residential customers get one prescheduled S.W.E.E.P. collection every year for up to 10 cubic yards of bulky items at no additional charge. For off-cycle or additional bulky disposal, residents can schedule a special pickup with customer service at $18.12 per cubic yard, or drop off large items for free at the McKay Bay Scale House.
Yard Waste: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Curbside collection provided once weekly up to 4 cubic yards. Yard waste must be placed in non-city issued garbage cans (32-gallon recommended), paper yard waste bags, or tied in bundles with jute twine. Maximum weight 50 lbs per bundle or container; limbs and logs up to 4 feet in length. Plastic bags of any kind are strictly prohibited.
2026 Observed Holidays & Service Shift Calendar
Strategy: skip| Holiday | 2026 Date | Weekday | Service Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 2026-01-01 | Thursday | Canceled: Next regular cycle |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 2026-01-19 | Monday | Canceled: Next regular cycle |
| Memorial Day | 2026-05-25 | Monday | Canceled: Next regular cycle |
| Juneteenth | 2026-06-19 | Friday | Canceled: Next regular cycle |
| Independence Day | 2026-07-03 | Friday | Canceled: Next regular cycle |
| Labor Day | 2026-09-07 | Monday | Canceled: Next regular cycle |
| Veterans Day | 2026-11-11 | Wednesday | Canceled: Next regular cycle |
| Thanksgiving Day | 2026-11-26 | Thursday | Canceled: Next regular cycle |
| Christmas Day | 2026-12-25 | Friday | Canceled: Next regular cycle |
Help keep your street clean and in sync. Share this schedule with your neighborhood WhatsApp group, Nextdoor board, or HOA listserv:
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Tampa Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management · municipal dpw
Phone: 813-274-8811
4010 West Spruce StreetTampa, FL 33607
These collection rules cover Zone City of Tampa Curbside Service Area.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Tampa, FL?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Place the cart at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides the night before your designated pickup day, or before 6 a.m. on your pickup day. Carts must be removed by sunset on the day of collection and placed in a location not visible from the street.. These rules apply to Zone City of Tampa Curbside Service Area.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Tampa?
As of 2026-10-10: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. Pickups on a listed holiday are skipped until the next scheduled cycle. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone City of Tampa Curbside Service Area.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Tampa?
Residential customers get one prescheduled S.W.E.E.P. collection every year for up to 10 cubic yards of bulky items at no additional charge. For off-cycle or additional bulky disposal, residents can schedule a special pickup with customer service at $18.12 per cubic yard, or drop off large items for free at the McKay Bay Scale House. The listed limit is 10 items per pickup. Advance notice is not required under the listed rules. Contact sanitation at 813-274-8811 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone City of Tampa Curbside Service Area.
What items are accepted for recycling in Tampa?
The listed accepted materials are Paper: clean paper envelopes (including plastic window envelopes), magazines, catalogs, mail, office paper, Cardboard: corrugated cardboard boxes and clean paperboard egg cartons, Aluminum and metal cans: beverage cans, food cans, and clean aluminum bottles, Plastic bottles and containers: rigid bottles and jugs larger than the size of a fist. Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags, plastic wrap, and film tanglers (never bag recyclables; place loose in cart), Aseptic cartons (juice boxes, broth cartons, and shelf-stable milk cartons), Pizza boxes soiled with grease, cheese, or food residue, Shredded paper (cannot be sorted properly and ruins glass quality), Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam cups, plates, foam egg trays, and packing foam), Electronics, batteries, and hazardous materials, Clothing, textiles, ropes, cords, and garden hoses, Single-use disposable cutlery, plastic straws, plates, cups, and napkins, Scrap metal items and automotive parts. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone City of Tampa Curbside Service Area.