Top 10 Questions About County's New Automated Garbage Service (2024)

Hillsborough County will begin delivering the new roll carts for garbage in August.

Posted Sun, Jul 21, 2013 at 10:25 pm ET

In September, Hillsborough County solid wastecustomers will get an improved residential garbage and recycling collection service that includes sturdy roll carts to transport your trash to the curb.

StartingAug. 1, gray roll carts for garbage and blue roll carts for recycling will be delivered to more than 260,000 homes.

The carts will include instructions, collection days and service provider information.

When the new service starts, the carts will be emptied by automated collection, a process that uses a mechanical arm on the collection vehicle instead of workers lifting cans and bins by hand.

According to the county, an automated system keeps neighborhoods cleaner and neater on collection days, increases recycling rates and is safer for service providers.

Though collection days and service providers may change, the improved service will still include two garbage pickups every week, one recycling collection every week and one yard waste collection every week. Yard waste will still be collected manually in containers and cans provided by residents, or in bags and bundles.

Public Utilities Department staff are available to make presentations about the new collection service to homeowners associations, civic groups and service clubs.

1.When will the new service start?

For the majority of residents, the new collection service is scheduled to start the week of Sept. 30. Instruction packets will be delivered with the carts that will include the date your new service will start, collection days and directions for properly setting out the containers.

2.Who will be affected by these new collection service changes?

Residents who receive solid waste collection service through Hillsborough County. These residents are primarily in unincorporated Hillsborough County.

3.What size roll carts will be provided?

A gray 95-gallon roll cart will be provided for garbage and a blue 65-gallon roll cart for recyclables.The dimensions of the roll carts are:

4.How and when will the roll carts be distributed?

8.What if the cart needs repair?

Contact your franchise collector. The franchise collector will repair or replace a roll cart within three days from the date of request for repair, or on your next garbage collection day.

9.What if my roll cart is stolen, lost or missing?

Contact your franchise collector. A sheriff’s report will be filed, and a replacement roll cart will be delivered by the franchise collector within three days from the date of notification or on your next garbage collection day.

10.If I move, should I take my carts with me?

No. The roll carts should remain at the address they were delivered.

To schedule a presentation, call Kim Byer, manager of the new automated collection program, at813-612-7718or email her atbyerk@hillsboroughcounty.org.