As Hillsborough residents start the clean-up after Hurricane Helene, officials have announced that curbside solid waste collection services, including trash, recycling, and yard waste, will pick back up on their normal schedule beginning Saturday, September 28. The county's statement alerts citizens that areas where standing water or extensive debris may affect the collection, potentially causing delays.
The straightforward advice for residents is to manage yard waste as efficiently as possible by containerizing it, bagging it, or cutting it into pieces no longer than four feet before stacking it neatly by the curb. However, due to the hurricane's disruption, some residents with missed pickups can expect their waste to be collected on the next scheduled day. Given the magnitude of the storm's destruction, which scattered tree limbs and household materials alike, there remains the alternative to haul considerable amounts of debris to a Hillsborough County Solid Waste facility, set to operate normally come Saturday.
The county specifically warns against any assumptions that tree trimming services can skip the guidelines and leave trimmings curbside, as "residents should not allow tree trimming services to place trimmings curbside that do not follow curbside yard waste collection guidelines," expecting that the solid waste services would handle these irregular disposals
For those overwhelmed by the sheer volume of yard debris left in Helene's wake, the Solid Waste Management Department encourages them to seek help by calling 813-272-5680. Once called, within a time span of 72 hours, the details will be passed to the Public Works Department for proper follow-up, and every request will be considered individually. On Monday, September 30, the Public Works Department promises to release further information on the disposal of construction and demolition debris hailing from Helene's tempestuous visit.
