City guide · Florida

Tampa Trash Pickup Schedule

This Tampa trash pickup schedule covers one of the few twice-a-week garbage systems in the country - your blue cart gets emptied two days a week, every week, while recycling and yard waste each come once a week. That frequency also means holidays behave differently here than in most cities. Here's exactly how the Tampa garbage collection schedule works for garbage, recycling, and yard waste, and where to find your specific days.

How often is trash picked up in Tampa?

The Tampa curbside collection schedule collects garbage in blue carts twice a week for every City of Tampa utility customer, while green carts for recycling and yard waste are collected weekly. Yard clippings should stay under 50 pounds per bundle.

Space carts at least 3 feet apart and away from parked cars so the automated collection arm can reach them. Trucks can run anywhere from sunrise to evening, so carts should stay out of street view once the sun goes down.

Find your exact pickup day

Every address on the Tampa trash collection calendar has its own pickup day: your two garbage days and single recycling day depend on your specific address and route - there isn't one citywide schedule. The City of Tampa's own lookup tool is the accurate source:

Look up your address on tampa.gov →

Missed a pickup? Report it through the Solid Waste Customer Service Portal, or call the City of Tampa Utilities Call Center at (813) 274-8811.

Bin placement rules

• Set carts out by 6:00 AM on your collection day
• Keep carts 3 feet apart and clear of parked cars
• Store carts out of street view after dark
• Bundle yard clippings under 50 pounds

Tampa Trash Holiday Schedule

Tampa observes seven holidays. There's no collection on the holiday itself, but because garbage already runs twice a week, most residents still get at least one pickup that week - a guaranteed make-up day is only provided for Thanksgiving and Christmas, since those generate the most waste.

Check the Tampa Trash and Recycling app or tampa.gov/solidwaste before each holiday week, since exact adjustments can shift year to year.

What goes in each bin

Bulk waste pickup

Bulky items that don't fit in your regular cart are handled by Republic Services' Special Services Division as part of Tampa's S.W.E.E.P. program - keep items clear of parked cars, trees, wires, and utility boxes so crews can reach them safely.

S.W.E.E.P. covers up to 10 cubic yards free on your scheduled pickup. Need more, or missed your window? Off-schedule curbside collection runs $18.12 per cubic yard, 1 cubic yard minimum.

How much does garbage service cost in Tampa?

Tampa's solid waste rates are set on a five-year schedule approved by City Council, so they step up gradually each October rather than jumping all at once.

Low-income households at or below 50% of area median income may qualify for a 9.5% discount on top of the standard rate - contact Solid Waste Customer Service to apply. Rates are scheduled to rise again on October 1, 2026, to $41.86 for the first cart.

Frequently asked questions

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City contact & resources

Bookmark this Tampa waste collection schedule and check back whenever a holiday shifts the calendar. Need more than curbside pickup? Compare local bulk & junk removal quotes. Browse all Florida cities or the full state directory.