Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Carrollwood
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.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash collection and disposal in Carrollwood are managed by Hillsborough County and billed annually as non-ad valorem assessments on your county property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Property Tax Bill (Online, Mail, Escrow, In Person)
Pro Tip / Discount
Seniors age 65 and older can apply for a solid waste disposal discount, and income-qualified homeowners may apply for the Solid Waste Hardship Affordability Credit.
Gray Bin (Trash)
Everything must fit entirely inside the gray cart with the lid closed. Carts must be placed at least 3 feet away from each other and other objects like mailboxes or cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Windows, mirrors and ceramics
- ✓Clothing, shoes and textiles
- ✓Garden or pool hoses
- ✓Diapers and soiled paper items
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do NOT bag your recyclables. All items must be clean, dry, and placed loosely into the blue cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean and empty plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Clean and empty aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean and empty glass bottles and jars
- ✓Dry paper, newspaper and junk mail
- ✓Dry flattened cardboard (cut to fit)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film of any kind
- ✕Bagged recyclables
- ✕Food, liquids, or dirty materials
- ✕Batteries, chemicals, or oil
- ✕Styrofoam/foam cups and containers
Yard Waste Bin
Limit of 2 cubic yards per collection. Must be placed in personal 30-gallon containers (under 50 lbs), bagged, or securely bundled and stacked.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Shrubbery
- ✓Tree trimmings (under 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without an appointment. Once scheduled, keep items clear of your roll carts and low-hanging tree branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Commercial construction debris
- ✕ Tires (handled separately at drop-offs)
Scheduling a special curbside collection through Solid Waste Customer Service incurs an additional fee, typically ranging from $30 to $50 depending on the size and number of items.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Hillsborough County collections only pause on Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are no makeup days for trash or yard waste; service simply resumes on your next scheduled day. Recycling makeup days typically occur on the Saturday following the holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is treated like standard garbage during holidays, meaning there is no makeup collection day.
Collections occur normally on all other holidays, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Hoses Out
Old garden or pool hoses are a massive problem for recycling centers. These are considered 'tanglers' and should always be disposed of in your gray trash cart, never the blue bin.
Empty and Clean is Key
A half-full soda bottle or an unrinsed peanut butter jar can contaminate an entire load of paper and cardboard. Always quickly rinse out your bottles and cans before tossing them in the blue cart.
No Textiles in the Blue Cart
Old clothing, shoes, and worn-out blankets cannot be recycled curbside. If they are not suitable for donation, they belong strictly in your gray garbage cart.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued for Hillsborough County, immediately secure all roll carts indoors or in a garage. Do not place yard waste at the curb, as high winds turn branches and loose debris into dangerous projectiles.
Holiday Packaging Surges
December - JanuaryDuring the holidays, remember that foil wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, and styrofoam packing peanuts are NOT recyclable. Only plain paper wrap and flattened cardboard shipping boxes should go in the blue cart.
Spring Landscaping
March - MayDuring peak pruning season, remember that the weekly yard waste limit is strictly 2 cubic yards (about twelve 30-gallon bags). If you hire a professional landscaper, ensure they haul the debris away as part of their service.
About Carrollwood Waste Management
Hillsborough County Waste Management in Carrollwood
Because Carrollwood is an unincorporated census-designated place, its residential waste collection is fully managed by Hillsborough County Solid Waste. Residents are provided with automated, standardized roll carts for efficient service. To ensure your pickup is not missed, all roll carts must be wheeled to the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated collection days, with the arrows on the lid pointing directly toward the street.
Strict 'No Plastic Bags' Recycling Mandate
One of the most heavily enforced rules for the blue recycling cart in Hillsborough County is the absolute prohibition of plastic bags. You must never bag your recyclables, nor should you place loose plastic shopping bags into the blue cart. Bagged items are treated as trash at the processing facility, and loose bags easily tangle and break the sorting machinery. Always place your clean cans, bottles, and cardboard loosely into the cart.
Year-Round Subtropical Yard Debris Solutions
Maintaining lawns in Carrollwood's warm climate generates significant yard waste. The county allows for up to 2 cubic yards (equivalent to about twelve 30-gallon containers) of leaves, clippings, and small branches per collection. To keep the neighborhood tidy and ensure collection, branches must be cut down to four feet or less in length and be under six inches in diameter. Residents can use their own bins, bags, or neatly stack bundled limbs.
Handling Large Items and Special Pickups
When spring cleaning or home renovations leave you with items too large for the standard gray cart, you cannot simply leave them on the curb. Hillsborough County requires Carrollwood residents to either self-haul bulky waste to a designated Community Collection Center or schedule a special curbside collection for an additional fee. Contacting Solid Waste Customer Service directly allows you to arrange for the safe removal of appliances and furniture.
Drop-off Facilities
Northwest County Community Collection Center
8001 W. Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, FL 33625
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put glass in my recycling bin in Carrollwood?
Yes, unlike some neighboring counties, Hillsborough County still accepts clean and empty glass bottles and jars in the blue curbside recycling cart.
What should I do if an item is too big for my gray trash cart?
If an item does not fit with the lid closed, you cannot leave it on the curb. You must either haul it yourself to a Community Collection Center or call Customer Service at (813) 272-5680 to arrange a special bulky item pickup for a fee.
Do I have trash pickup on Memorial Day or Labor Day?
Yes. Hillsborough County only observes Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day as solid waste holidays. Your trash will be collected on its normal schedule during all other holidays.
Why didn't they collect my yard waste bags?
The county has a strict limit of 2 cubic yards (about twelve 30-gallon containers) per collection. Also, if branches exceed 4 feet in length, are wider than 6 inches in diameter, or weigh more than 50 pounds, they will be left at the curb.