Tampa, Florida resident guide
Tampa trash, recycling, S.W.E.E.P. & yard waste schedule
Find Tampa's twice weekly trash, weekly recycling and yard waste, annual S.W.E.E.P. date, paid special pickup, holiday changes, and free McKay Bay drop off option.
Official source links checked on August 31, 2026.
Regular household service
Trash and recycling service
Start here for the recurring household collections residents use most often.
City of Tampa utility customers receive garbage collection twice each week. Put the blue cart at the curb by 6 a.m., keep it three feet from obstacles, and remove it by sunset.
Tampa collects the green recycling cart and properly prepared yard waste once each week. Yard waste is limited to four cubic yards and must use an eligible reusable container, yard waste paper bag, or bundle tied with jute twine. Plastic bags are not accepted.
Need it gone before the city service?
Get a LoadUp quote when the local date is too far away or an item is excluded.
Start here
How Tampa service works
Enter the service address in Tampa's S.W.E.E.P. lookup. If the annual date has passed or the material cannot wait, call 813-274-8811 or use Tampa Connect to request paid special pickup at the current cubic yard rate.
Tampa 2026 resident collection guide
Tampa combines weekly routes with one annual S.W.E.E.P. collection
City customers receive garbage twice weekly, recycling and yard waste weekly, and one prescheduled annual bulky collection. New Tampa generally uses Hillsborough County instead.
Use the full City service address and have the blue cart out by 6 a.m.
Keep yard material out of plastic bags and within the four cubic yard limit.
The included curbside pile may contain up to 10 cubic yards.
Do not begin setout more than five days before the assigned deadline.
Request special pickup or use the McKay Bay option if eligible.
Fall leaf and yard waste pickupTampa collects leaves and prepared yard waste every weekWeekly collection confirmed
Eligible City customers may set out up to four cubic yards on the address's weekly yard waste day. Tampa does not accept plastic bags, including bags labeled compostable or biodegradable.
Keep yard material separate from garbage, recycling, and the annual bulky pile.
The limit applies to each container, paper bag, or prepared bundle.
Cut limbs and logs into four foot sections before bundling.
What residents should do
- Find the service address's weekly yard waste day in the Tampa collection tool.
- Use a reusable container no larger than the recommended 32 gallons, a proper yard waste paper bag, or a bundle tied with jute twine.
- Keep each item under 50 pounds and the complete setout within four cubic yards.
- Leave three feet around the prepared material and keep every kind of plastic bag out.
City rules at a glance
Local limits before placement
S.W.E.E.P. is one annual collection of up to 10 cubic yards for an eligible account. Tampa currently lists paid special pickup at $18.12 per cubic yard. Active City customers may also take qualifying furniture, mattresses, appliances, and yard waste to McKay Bay at no additional charge.
Build one curbside pile in front of the residence. Setout may begin five days before the Sunday deadline, and the full pile must be ready by 8 p.m. that Sunday. Keep it clear of vehicles, trees, wires, meters, and utility boxes.
Local detail that matters
What makes Tampa service different
Tampa city limits do not guarantee City of Tampa collection. New Tampa and the University area generally use Hillsborough County. Check the cart logo or full service address before relying on the City schedule.
Item guidance
What may go in the bulk item pile
Accepted examples
The annual program accepts eligible household furniture, mattresses, appliances, tires, prepared construction material, and other items on Tampa's current S.W.E.E.P. list, within the pile limit.
Not accepted
Do not place household hazardous waste, electronics, ordinary garbage, wet paint, loose glass, commercial material, contractor waste, or prohibited vehicle and demolition material in the annual pile.
Holiday collectionTampa published no makeup service for six 2026 closuresPublished 2026 dates confirmed
For each confirmed 2026 residential closure published through August, the affected Tampa route was skipped and service resumed on the next normal collection day. This differs from a one day holiday slide.
No residential makeup day
An affected household waits for its next regular garbage, recycling, or yard waste day. Commercial service can follow a different makeup schedule.
New Tampa uses Hillsborough County
The City notices do not govern New Tampa addresses. Those residents need the Hillsborough County provider schedule.
Later notices can add another closure
Tampa publishes service changes as each holiday approaches. Use the address schedule or City notices for dates after this confirmed list.
No residential service and no makeup collection
Affected residential routes resume on the next regularly scheduled service day.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Monday, January 19
- Spring Holiday. Friday, April 3
- Memorial Day. Monday, May 25
- Juneteenth. Friday, June 19
- Independence Day observed. Friday, July 3
- Labor Day. Monday, September 7
Common questions
Tampa collection FAQ
How often does Tampa collect trash and recycling?
Eligible City customers receive garbage twice weekly. Recycling and yard waste are collected once weekly on address specific days.
How often is Tampa S.W.E.E.P. collection?
Eligible City accounts receive one prescheduled collection each year, with a pile limit of 10 cubic yards.
What if I miss the Tampa S.W.E.E.P. date?
Request paid special pickup through Tampa Connect or 813-274-8811, or take qualifying material to McKay Bay if the account is eligible.
How should Tampa leaves and branches be prepared?
Use an eligible reusable container, a yard waste paper bag, or a bundle tied with jute twine. Keep each item under 50 pounds and stay within four cubic yards.
Does Tampa accept yard waste in plastic bags?
No. Tampa stopped accepting every kind of plastic bag for yard waste in 2024.
Does City of Tampa service New Tampa?
Generally no. Hillsborough County serves New Tampa, so residents there should use the County provider and holiday schedule.
Sources used for this guide
Official supporting information
TrashDayFinder used these public sources to prepare the resident guidance above. They were checked on August 31, 2026 and are provided here as evidence.
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