Tampa

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. Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers.

  • Empty, rinsed plastic items
  • Bottles and jugs – no lids

Remove lids and caps from plastic containers

Plastic, single-serve to-go containers with no food residue

METAL

Look for tin, aluminum and other metal items

  1. Empty, rinsed metal items
  2. Cans, bottles only
  3. Food, beverage containers only, no reusable containers
  4. Aluminum cans (clean and empty)
  5. Metal food containers (clean and empty)

Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans

PAPER

Look for Paper items

  • Dry, clean fiber items
  • Paper 
  • Cardboard (flattened boxes)
  • Paperboard – such as cereal boxes, paper towel rolls (clean and dry)

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

  • Empty & Rinsed Glass Items
  • Bottles & Jars Only (no lids)
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, plastic wrap
  • Plastic film
  • Cords
  • Plasticware
  • Cords
  • Solid paper items
  • Pizza boxes
  • Pressurized tank
  • Wires
  • Aluminum foil
  • Scrap metal
  • Cutlery
  • Cooking and dining ware, drinking glasses, ceramics
  • Light bulbs
  • Yard waste
  • Clothing, shoes and textiles
  • Batteries
  • Diapers
  • Rope, twine or straps
  • Garden or pool hoses
  • Small appliances
  • Electronics
  • Household hazardous waste
  • Syringes and needles
  • Styrofoam
  • Polystyrene foam
  • Construction and demolition debris
  • Cooking oils and grease
  • Medical waste
  • Food waste
  • Clothes hangers
  • Rubber items
  • Any item smaller than your fist (these
  • items often do not make it through
  • the sorting equipment)
  • Ceramics
  • Windows
  • Mirrors

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

Recycling items should be loose in the cart and not bagged

  • There is no specific ordinance for Multifamily
  • Multifamily communities are depicted as commercial properties in Tampa; therefore, they abide by the commercial recycling rules
  • Bagged recycled are not recycled because they can’t be sorted by the recycling equipment
  • The Commercial Services Division is responsible for providing the collection of commercial bins, compactors and roll-off containers to customers (residents)
    • The customers/residents must by City Ordinance; use commercial container service (dumpsters) to dispose of their refuse
  • In this case, customers are primarily businesses and multifamily residential complexes
  • The city currently provides collection service from one day a week to seven days a week depending on volume
  • Below are the key contact personnel:
    • (813) 348-1135    Vacant, Manager
    • (813) 348-1132    Assistant
    • (813) 348-2082    Fax
  • The City of Tampa does offer recycling services for multi-family, commercial and business properties within the city limits. Commercial Services may be set up by contacting The City of Tampa Utilities Call Center at (813) 274-8811, www.tampagov.net/solidwaste . 

Learn more about recycling in your city.

For more information, please contact:

Interim Recycling Coordinator – Jason Milton (813) 348-1027 Fax: (813) 348-1156 Email: [email protected]
Recycling Specialist – Edgar Castro Tello  (813) 348-6504 Fax: (813) 348-1156 Email: [email protected]
Missed Pickups/Green Recycling Cart Requests: Customer Service – (813) 274-8811

City of Tampa
Solid Waste Department
4010 West Spruce Street Tampa FL 33607
Front Desk: (813) 348-1146
Utilities Call Center –  (813) 274-8811

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"