Hillsborough County

Recycling Guidelines

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

PLASTIC

Look for plastic items labeled #1 - #5.

  • Bath bottles – shampoo, soap, etc.
  • Beverage & food bottles, jars, and jugs
  • Containers – fruit, baked good, etc.
  • House bottles & jugs – cleaning supplies, detergent, etc.
  • Tubs – yogurt, margarine, etc
  • Lids and caps can stay on plastic bottles
Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers
Plastic, single-serve to-go containers with no food residue

METAL

Look for tin, aluminum and other metal items

  • Aluminum cans- beverage and food
  • Aluminum food trays
  • Metal food containers
  • Pie tins

Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans

PAPER

Look for Paper items

  • Cardboard & paperboard- flattened moving boxes, food boxes, tissue boxes, shoe boxes, paper towel rolls, and toilet paper rolls
  • Cartons- milk, broth, etc.
  • Fiberboard
  • Mixed paper- computer paper, office paper, unwanted mail, envelopes, construction paper, newspaper, magazines, and glossy paper
  • Paperback books

Paper can be recycled up to seven times, depending on the quality

Cardboard tubes from wrapping or toilet paper rolls

GLASS

Look for glass food jars and drink bottles

  • Bottles- beverage and food
  • Jars- beverage and food
Bottles and jars (remove lids or caps)
Clean and dry your glass bottles

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

Doorstep Recycling Collection
Place acceptable recyclables in a securely tied, see-thru bag, separate from your trash and place in your bin, outside your front door with your scheduled trash collection.

When in Doubt – Toss it Out
Please do not place any unacceptable items in communal recycling containers or in your household recycling bags. Remember, if recycling contains “contaminants” (non-recyclable items or containers not properly cleaned), the whole batch may be rejected and sent to a land fill. When in doubt – best to toss it out!

What can NOT be recycled

  • Plastic bags
    • They can be recycled at your local grocery store (Do not place in blue cart)
  • Glass windows, mirrors, serving wear, or pint glasses
    • Place in the grey garbage cart
  • Bagged recyclables
  • Shredded paper
  • Light bulb
  • Packaging wrap and film
  • Batteries
  • Syringes and needles
  • Polystyrene foam or Styrofoam
  • Pressurized tanks
  • Cooking ware, dining ware, drinking glasses, ceramics, and cutlery
  • Cooking oils
  • Medications and prescriptions
  • Clothing hangers
  • Rubber items
  • Garden or pool hoses
  • Diapers
  • Rope, twine, or straps
  • Large plastic items
  • Cord and wires
  • Soiled paper items
  • Snack and candy wrappers
  • Fake plants
  • Tissue paper
  • Toilet paper
  • Hardcover books
    • Can be donated to local libraries for the enjoyment of others
  • Scrap metals
  • Aerosol spray
  • Hazardous waste (refer to the hazardous waste link in the city’s glossary)

Recycle Collection Tips

Multifamily-specific highlights. Check with your municipality for the latest guidelines.

  • Hillsborough County offers free presentations to schools, businesses, and community groups on the topics of solid waste management and recycling
    • Presentations can be tailored on request to accommodate available meeting times, different age groups, and the needs of the target audience
      • To request a presentation, please email Travis Barnes, Recycling Coordinator, or call him at (813) 209-3085.
  • Most multifamily residential developments are established as commercial solid waste accounts and are therefore treated as commercial businesses regarding establishing recycling service

This information is not your official community or municipality guidelines. Recycling mandates may change based on the local processing capabilities and shifting markets. Contact your leasing office or local recycling agency to learn more or use the links under the “Recycling Resources"