Recycling
The Big Blue Bin
The City of St. Petersburg offers recycling collection service to enable its residential utility customers to reduce the amount of trash sent to the landfill.
Trash and recycling are picked up in the designated location, either curbside or in the alley, on the designated collection day. View all recycling collection zones using this map. For schedules, Waste Wizard, and more, download the St. Pete Collects mobile app.
Recycling Guidelines
There is no need to separate items for the City's recycling program. Items that may be recycled include:
- Glass containers (all colors)
- Aluminum & steel cans, steel jar lids
- Milk & juice cartons, drink boxes
- Many plastics numbered #1-7 - NO PLASTIC BAGS
See below for plastics guidelines and restrictions - Newspapers, magazines, mail, shopping ads, windowed envelopes
- Mixed paper/cardboard — paper towels are NOT recyclable
Consult the Waste Wizard to see if a specific item is recyclable. All recyclables must be rinsed or free of food particles. Do not put yard waste or regular trash in the recycling bin.
Plastics
Put only recyclable material in the recycling container. DO NOT PUT PLASTIC BAGS IN THE RECYCLING BIN. Not sure what’s recyclable or trash? Use the Waste Wizard through the St. Pete Collects mobile app.
Many plastics with numbered triangles #1-7 are accepted in St. Petersburg’s recycling program. Some exceptions are listed below. When in doubt, use the Waste Wizard to verify if an item is indeed able to be recycled in Pinellas County.
The following plastic items are NOT RECYCLABLE in Pinellas County:
- Plastic trash bags or grocery bags filled with recyclable materials
These bags and everything in them will be thrown out as part of the sorting process. - Plastic grocery bags
Return grocery or retail store plastic bags to store drop-off locations for recycling or purchase and use recyclable shopping bags. - Dry cleaning bags
- Thin plastic packaging or plastic wrappers
- Plastic berry containers
- Plastic cups, tops, or straws
- Styrofoam
Collection
Refer to the collection schedule for information on trash and recycling pickup.
Residents who have questions about where to place their recycling bin for collection may contact the Sanitation Department at 727-893-7838.
MISSED COLLECTION?
Residential recycling customers are reminded that under city ordinance, containers may be placed at the curb or in the alley (for addresses with alley service) after 7 p.m. the night before collection; by 7 a.m. on collection day and removed by 7 p.m. the same day to the side or back of the residence.
Recycling customers who had their container out before 7 a.m. on the designated recycling day and their container was not picked up can contact 727-893-7838 to reschedule recycling pickup. Calls received at the Sanitation Department before 4 p.m. may have recycling collected the same day. Calls received after 4 p.m. will be collected the following weekday.
RECYCLING ZONE CALENDARS
Zone-specific recycling calendars and information about alley recycling are distributed by mail at the beginning of each year. For households that would like a calendar but did not receive one, contact Sanitation Customer Service at 727-893-7838. Printable calendars can be found on the Collection Schedule page. Find your recycling collection zone here.