Item: Large appliances — refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, AC units, dehumidifiers, water heaters Jurisdiction: Tampa city limits / Hillsborough County, Florida Official sources: City of Tampa Solid Waste; Hillsborough County Solid Waste Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Tampa residents have three appliance disposal options, depending on your address and timeline.
Option 1 — Free Annual SWEEP Pickup: If you live in a single-family home or multi-unit property of 4 units or fewer with an active City solid waste account, you get one free curbside bulk pickup per year through S.W.E.E.P. (Special Waste Enforcement & Education Program). Up to 10 cubic yards. Schedule via tampa.gov/sweep or call (813) 274-8811. Not available in New Tampa.
Option 2 — County CCC Drop-Off: Hillsborough County Community Collection Centers accept appliances for free drop-off. Five locations, open Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM. Self-unload required. Bring state-issued photo ID.
Option 3 — Special Curbside Pickup (Paid): Hillsborough County offers special curbside pickup for bulky items at $30–$50 per item. Call (813) 272-5680 to schedule. No waiting for SWEEP date.
Refrigerant appliances (fridges, freezers, AC units, dehumidifiers) are accepted through all three routes. Certified refrigerant recovery is required by EPA regulations — county facilities handle the recovery process. Do not attempt to discharge refrigerant yourself.
What you must verify: Your address's SWEEP eligibility and your assigned pickup date. Check tampa.gov/sweep or call (813) 274-8811.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| City contact | Tampa Solid Waste: (813) 274-8811 |
| County contact | Hillsborough County Solid Waste: (813) 272-5680 |
| Free curbside pickup | SWEEP — one per year, up to 10 cu yd, for eligible households |
| SWEEP availability | Single-family homes and multi-unit properties of 4 units or fewer |
| New Tampa | SWEEP NOT available — use county services at (813) 272-5680 |
| County CCC drop-off | Free, 5 locations, Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM, self-unload |
| Special curbside pickup | $30–$50 per item, call (813) 272-5680 to schedule |
| McKay Bay self-haul | Free for City account holders, up to 10 cu yd |
| Required ID | State-issued photo ID with Hillsborough County address |
| Refrigerant appliances | Accepted — county handles certified recovery |
| Business waste | Not eligible for city or county programs |
Free Annual SWEEP Bulk Pickup
S.W.E.E.P. (Special Waste Enforcement & Education Program) is Tampa's free annual curbside bulk pickup service. It is the most cost-effective option for appliance disposal if you are eligible.
Eligibility
SWEEP is available to:
- Single-family homes with an active City of Tampa solid waste account
- Multi-unit properties of 4 units or fewer with an active City account
- Properties inside Tampa city limits
SWEEP is NOT available to:
- Apartment complexes over 4 units
- Properties in New Tampa (New Tampa residents receive solid waste services directly from Hillsborough County)
- Properties without an active City solid waste account
What SWEEP Accepts
- Large appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers)
- Furniture and carpeting
- Yard trimmings (up to 10 cubic yards total)
- Carpeting (rolled and tied, maximum 4 ft lengths, 50 lbs max per roll)
NOT accepted through SWEEP:
- Car parts, tires, and engines
- Construction and demolition debris
- Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals)
- Commercial or business waste
How to Schedule
- Visit tampa.gov/sweep or call (813) 274-8811.
- Find your assigned pickup date based on your address.
- Place items curbside by 6 AM on the scheduled date.
- Keep items separate from your regular garbage and recycling carts.
- Ensure items have 3 ft clearance on all sides.
Appliances must be empty before pickup. Remove or secure refrigerator and freezer doors for safety.
County CCC Drop-Off
Hillsborough County's Community Collection Centers accept large appliances for free drop-off by county residents. This is a good option if you are not eligible for SWEEP, need disposal sooner than your SWEEP date, or live in New Tampa.
| Center | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest County | Tampa area | Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM |
| South County | Gibsonton | Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM |
| Hillsborough Heights | Seffner | Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM |
| Alderman's Ford | Plant City | Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM |
| Wimauma | Wimauma | Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM |
Key rules:
- Free for Hillsborough County residents who self-unload.
- Self-unload by hand only — staff do not help unload.
- Dump trailers not allowed.
- Bring state-issued photo ID with Hillsborough County residential address.
- May need property tax bill showing solid waste assessment for certain items.
- Appliances must be empty before drop-off.
- Refrigerant-containing appliances accepted — county handles certified recovery.
Special Curbside Pickup (Paid)
If you need appliance disposal on your schedule and are willing to pay, Hillsborough County offers special curbside pickup for bulky items including large appliances.
- Cost: $30–$50 per item
- Schedule: Call (813) 272-5680
- Available to: Hillsborough County customers with active service
- No need to wait for your annual SWEEP date
Call to describe the item and get a price quote before scheduling.
Refrigerators, Freezers, and AC Units
Appliances containing refrigerants require special handling. Do not attempt to discharge refrigerant yourself — it is illegal under EPA Clean Air Act regulations and carries significant fines.
What applies:
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Ice makers
- Air conditioning units (window and central)
- Dehumidifiers
- Water coolers
How it works:
- County CCC drop-off: Staff handle certified refrigerant recovery at no additional charge. Bring the appliance as-is.
- SWEEP pickup: Include refrigerant appliances in your SWEEP pickup. Place curbside on your scheduled date.
- Special curbside pickup: County handles recovery as part of the service.
Preparation:
- Empty all contents from the appliance.
- Remove or secure doors on refrigerators and freezers — safety requirement to prevent child entrapment.
- Leave the appliance intact. Do not attempt to cut refrigerant lines.
Fees and Cost Comparison
| Route | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| SWEEP curbside pickup | Free (one per year, up to 10 cu yd) | Eligible households not in a hurry |
| CCC drop-off | Free (self-unload) | Those who can haul and self-unload |
| Special curbside pickup | $30–$50 per item | Those who need pickup on their schedule |
| McKay Bay self-haul | Free for City account holders (up to 10 cu yd) | City residents who can haul and are near McKay Bay |
McKay Bay Transfer Station — 114 South 34th Street, Tampa. Accepts residential self-haul loads up to 10 cubic yards free for City of Tampa account holders. Call (813) 274-8811 for current hours and accepted materials.
Apartment and Renter Edge Cases
Apartment resident (complex over 4 units)
SWEEP is likely not available — apartment complexes over 4 units are typically not eligible. Your best options:
- Use county CCC drop-off — free with ID, self-unload required.
- Use special curbside pickup — $30–$50 per item via (813) 272-5680.
- Check with your property manager — some complexes have exclusive hauler contracts that may include bulk item removal.
Renter in single-family home
If the home has an active City of Tampa solid waste account, you are eligible for SWEEP. Check with your landlord to confirm the account is active.
New Tampa renter
SWEEP is not available in New Tampa. Contact Hillsborough County at (813) 272-5680 for appliance disposal. CCC drop-off is your best free option.
Renter with no vehicle
- Ask a neighbor or friend for help transporting to a CCC.
- Use special curbside pickup ($30–$50) — no transport needed.
- Some appliance retailers offer haul-away when you purchase a replacement — ask when buying new.
Business and Commercial Disposal
City and county appliance disposal programs serve household waste only. Commercial entities — offices, restaurants, apartment complexes, contractors — must use a licensed waste hauler.
- Search for "Tampa commercial appliance disposal" or contact a licensed Florida waste transporter.
- Do not attempt to pass off commercial appliances as household waste — service will be denied.
How to Prepare Appliances for Disposal
- Empty all contents from the appliance — food, shelves, drawers.
- Remove or secure refrigerator/freezer doors for safety (child entrapment prevention).
- Tape exposed glass or sharp edges.
- For SWEEP: Place curbside by 6 AM on scheduled date, separate from regular carts. Ensure 3 ft clearance.
- For CCC drop-off: Self-unload by hand. Have ID and potentially property tax bill ready.
- For special pickup: Call (813) 272-5680, describe the item, get a price quote.
- Do NOT attempt refrigerant removal — county handles certified recovery.
- Leave furniture assembled per SWEEP rules (disassembly not required).
Safety Notes
- Refrigerators and freezers: doors must be removed or secured to prevent child entrapment.
- Old appliances may contain hazardous components (PCBs, mercury switches). Handle with care.
- Heavy items (washers, dryers, refrigerators) require proper lifting — get help.
- Do not discharge refrigerant — illegal under EPA Clean Air Act, fines apply.
- Tape exposed sharp edges before transport.
Official Verification Checklist
- Check SWEEP eligibility — visit tampa.gov/sweep or call (813) 274-8811.
- Confirm your SWEEP date — if eligible, note the assigned pickup date and preparation rules.
- Check alternative routes if not SWEEP-eligible — New Tampa or apartment residents check CCC drop-off or special pickup.
- Confirm CCC hours and location — Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM. Bring ID.
- Get price quote for special pickup — call (813) 272-5680. $30–$50 per item.
- Empty appliance and secure doors — remove contents, secure or remove doors.
- Check McKay Bay hours if self-hauling — call (813) 274-8811.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Tampa pick up my old refrigerator curbside? Yes — through the free annual SWEEP pickup (if eligible) or through Hillsborough County special curbside pickup ($30–$50 per item). Refrigerant recovery is handled by the county.
Is SWEEP available in New Tampa? No. New Tampa residents must contact Hillsborough County Solid Waste at (813) 272-5680 for appliance disposal.
How much does special curbside pickup cost? Hillsborough County special curbside pickup is $30–$50 per item. Call (813) 272-5680 to schedule and confirm the exact price.
Can I drop off appliances at a county center? Yes — any of the five CCCs. Free for county residents who self-unload. Hours: Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM. Bring ID.
What about refrigerants — do I need to remove them? No — county facilities handle certified refrigerant recovery. Do NOT attempt to discharge refrigerant yourself (illegal under EPA regulations).
Do I need to remove doors from refrigerators? Yes — remove or secure refrigerator/freezer doors to prevent child entrapment. This is a safety requirement.
What if I just bought a new appliance from a retailer? Many retailers offer haul-away of your old appliance when delivering a new one. Ask when you purchase. This option is not officially referenced by Tampa or Hillsborough County programs.
Sources
- City of Tampa Solid Waste — Official municipal hub.
- SWEEP Pickup Schedule — City's free annual bulk pickup program.
- Hillsborough County Large Appliances — County appliance disposal guidance.
- Refrigerators, Freezers & Ice Makers — County refrigerant appliance rules.
- Special Curbside Pickup — County paid pickup program.
- McKay Bay Scalehouse — City self-haul facility.
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Facility policies, fees, hours, and eligibility rules change. Always confirm current information with Tampa Solid Waste at (813) 274-8811 or Hillsborough County Solid Waste at (813) 272-5680 before hauling appliances for disposal.