Item: Furniture (sofas, mattresses, tables, chairs), carpets, bulky waste Jurisdiction: Tampa city limits (including New Tampa — separate rules apply) Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Tampa residents have three main options for disposing of furniture and bulky waste:
- S.W.E.E.P. (free curbside pickup) — One free annual bulk pickup per household, up to 10 cubic yards. Schedule via tampa.gov/sweep or (813) 274-8811.
- McKay Bay Transfer Station (free self-haul) — 114 S. 34th St, Tampa. Free for City account holders. Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 7 AM–5:30 PM, Wed/Sat 7 AM–3:30 PM.
- Special curbside pickup (paid) — $17.26 per cubic yard if you already used your SWEEP for the year. Schedule via Tampa Connect app or (813) 274-8811.
Important: SWEEP is only available to single-family homes and multi-unit properties of 4 units or fewer with an active City solid waste account. It is not available in New Tampa — New Tampa residents must contact Hillsborough County at (813) 272-5680.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Free curbside pickup | S.W.E.E.P. — one free annual pickup per household |
| Max per pickup | 10 cubic yards |
| Free self-haul | McKay Bay Transfer Station (114 S. 34th St) |
| Paid option | Special pickup at $17.26/cubic yard |
| SWEEP eligible | Single-family homes + multi-unit ≤4 units with active City account |
| SWEEP NOT available | New Tampa, apartments over 4 units |
| Phone contacts | (813) 274-8811 (City) / (813) 272-5680 (County) |
| Donation alternative | Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, AMVETS — check independently |
Decision Table — Which Route for You?
| Your situation | Best route | Cost | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family home, haven't used SWEEP this year | SWEEP curbside pickup | Free | Check date at tampa.gov/sweep or call (813) 274-8811 |
| Already used SWEEP, need another pickup | Special curbside pickup | $17.26/cu yd | Call (813) 274-8811 for quote |
| Have a truck/SUV and want to do it yourself | McKay Bay self-haul | Free for City account holders | 114 S. 34th St — self-unload required |
| Live in New Tampa | Hillsborough County services | Varies | Call (813) 272-5680 |
| Apartment over 4 units | McKay Bay or county pickup | Free or varies | McKay Bay free with ID; county special pickup available |
| Furniture in good condition | Donation/charity | Free or tax deduction | Check Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, AMVETS independently |
| Construction debris (not furniture) | Licensed hauler | Varies | Not accepted through SWEEP |
Free Annual SWEEP Curbside Pickup
S.W.E.E.P. (Special Waste & Exjunk Elimination Program) is Tampa's free annual bulk cleanup service for eligible households.
What SWEEP Accepts
- Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, mattresses)
- Large appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers — as long as they are non-commercial)
- Carpeting (must be rolled and tied)
- Large yard trimmings (branches, brush)
- Other bulky household items
What SWEEP Does NOT Accept
- Car parts, tires, engines
- Construction debris (concrete, lumber, drywall, roofing)
- Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, batteries, motor oil)
- Cardboard
- Commercial / business waste
Eligibility
- Available to single-family homes and multi-unit properties with 4 units or fewer that have an active City of Tampa solid waste account
- Not available in New Tampa — Hillsborough County serves New Tampa
- Not available for apartment complexes over 4 units
How It Works
- SWEEP operates on a fixed neighborhood schedule. Check your pickup date at tampa.gov/sweep or call (813) 274-8811
- Place items curbside by 6 AM on your scheduled date
- Keep the pile separate from your regular garbage carts and yard waste
- Items over 10 cubic yards may be charged at the standard rate
What 10 Cubic Yards Looks Like
The 10-cubic-yard limit is the total volume of your entire pile, not a per-item restriction. To visualize it: that is roughly the size of a standard small pickup truck bed filled level (a short-bed truck holds about 2–3 cubic yards, so think 3–4 truckloads worth). A typical sofa takes about 1–1.5 cubic yards. A full-sized mattress is about 1 cubic yard. The City does not publish per-item weight limits, so if you are disposing of unusually heavy items like a cast-iron table base, call (813) 274-8811 to confirm ahead of time.
McKay Bay Transfer Station — Free Self-Haul
McKay Bay is Tampa's solid waste facility where City account holders can drop off furniture and bulky items for free.
Address: 114 South 34th Street, Tampa, FL
Hours:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–3:30 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–3:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Holidays | Closed |
Rules:
- Free for City of Tampa account holders with active solid waste account
- Self-haul only — staff do not assist with unloading
- PPE required on the tipping floor (available for purchase at the scale house)
- Bring ID
What to Expect at McKay Bay
You drive across a scale to weigh in, unload your items on the tipping floor, then weigh out. Bring a friend for heavy furniture — the facility does not provide unloading assistance. A pickup truck or SUV with fold-down seats works well; if you are using a passenger car, measure your largest piece first to confirm it fits. PPE (hard hat, safety vest) is required on the tipping floor and can be bought at the scale house if you do not have your own.
Special Curbside Pickup — Paid Option
If you missed your SWEEP date or already used your free annual pickup, you can schedule a special curbside pickup.
- Cost: $17.26 per cubic yard
- Schedule: Via the Tampa Connect app or call (813) 274-8811
- Rules: Same eligibility and item restrictions as SWEEP
Hillsborough County residents (including New Tampa) who need an extra pickup can call (813) 272-5680 for county special curbside pickup pricing and scheduling.
Timeline: When Will It Be Collected?
Each route moves at a different pace, so plan ahead:
- SWEEP pickup — runs on a fixed neighborhood schedule. Your date may be weeks or months out, depending on where you live. Check tampa.gov/sweep to see the calendar for your area.
- Special curbside pickup — typically scheduled within a few business days after you call. The exact window depends on crew availability.
- McKay Bay self-haul — immediate, as long as you arrive during operating hours. No appointment needed. This is the fastest route if you have transportation.
Preparing Furniture for Pickup
Follow these rules to ensure your items are collected without issues:
- Leave furniture assembled — do not disassemble unless instructed by 311
- Tape exposed glass — mirrors, glass tabletops, or any broken edges should be taped over
- Carpet must be rolled and tied into manageable bundles
- Keep pile separate from regular garbage carts and yard waste
- Place curbside by 6 AM on the scheduled date — not before, not after
- Items over 10 cubic yards may be charged at the standard rate
- Remove doors from cabinets or dressers if they could swing open during transport to the curb
- Keep the pile clear of mailboxes, fire hydrants, and utility boxes — blocked access can delay collection
Apartment and Renter Edge Cases
Renter in a complex over 4 units
SWEEP is not available for your building. Your best options:
- McKay Bay self-haul — free with City account and ID
- Hillsborough County special pickup — call (813) 272-5680 for pricing
- Check with your property manager — some complexes have exclusive hauler contracts that cover bulky items
Renter in a qualifying small complex (4 units or fewer)
If your building has an active City solid waste account and is 4 units or fewer, you may be eligible for SWEEP. Confirm with your landlord and call (813) 274-8811.
New Tampa renter
Contact Hillsborough County at (813) 272-5680. City of Tampa SWEEP is not available in New Tampa.
Renter without a vehicle
City bulk pickup (SWEEP or special) is your best option since collection is curbside. Ask about scheduling dates that work for you.
How to Check Your Building's Status
Ask your landlord or property manager: "Does this building have an active City of Tampa solid waste account?" If yes and the building has 4 units or fewer, you likely qualify for SWEEP. If they are unsure, call (813) 274-8811 with the property address and they can check.
Business and Commercial Disposal
City and county bulky waste programs serve household waste only.
- Commercial entities (offices, retail spaces, contractors) must use licensed haulers
- Do not mix commercial waste with residential bulky pickup
- Furniture from a business office is not eligible for SWEEP or McKay Bay residential programs
- Contact a licensed commercial waste hauler for pricing
Donation and Charity Pickup Alternatives
If your furniture is in good condition, donation may be a better option than disposal. While Tampa solid waste pages do not officially list donation partners, these organizations commonly accept furniture in the Tampa area:
- Salvation Army — may offer free pickup for larger items
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore — accepts gently used furniture
- AMVETS — offers free pickup in some areas
Important caveats:
- Policies and condition requirements vary — call the specific location first
- Donation centers may reject heavily worn, torn, or stained items
- Not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of Tampa solid waste program
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Assuming SWEEP is available for apartments over 4 units
It is not. Use McKay Bay or county services instead.
2. Living in New Tampa and calling City of Tampa 311
New Tampa is served by Hillsborough County. Call (813) 272-5680.
3. Placing items curbside without scheduling first
Nothing will be collected unless you have a scheduled SWEEP date or special pickup appointment.
4. Including non-accepted items in your SWEEP pile
Construction debris, car parts, tires, and hazardous materials will be left behind. The entire pile may be skipped.
5. Putting furniture out before your scheduled week
SWEEP runs on a fixed neighborhood schedule. Early placement can result in fines or the items not being collected.
6. Expecting staff to help unload at McKay Bay
It is self-haul only. Bring help for heavy items.
7. Mixing commercial waste with household bulky pickup
Business furniture is not accepted. Commercial entities must arrange their own hauling.
8. Underestimating the 10-cubic-yard limit
A two-sofa pile plus a mattress and a dresser can fill that limit quickly. Estimate your total volume before scheduling so you are not charged overage fees.
Official Verification Checklist
Use this when preparing for disposal:
- Check SWEEP eligibility — verify your address qualifies (single-family or ≤4 units)
- Find SWEEP date — visit tampa.gov/sweep or call (813) 274-8811
- Confirm acceptable items — SWEEP accepts furniture but not construction debris, tires, or hazardous materials
- Prepare items properly — leave assembled, tape glass, roll carpet, separate from regular carts
- Place curbside by 6 AM on the scheduled date — do not place items out before the scheduled week
- If not SWEEP-eligible — check McKay Bay (free self-haul) or special pickup ($17.26/cubic yard)
- New Tampa residents — call Hillsborough County at (813) 272-5680 instead
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tampa offer free furniture pickup? Yes — one free annual SWEEP bulk pickup per eligible household, up to 10 cubic yards. Schedule via tampa.gov/sweep or (813) 274-8811.
Is SWEEP available in New Tampa? No. New Tampa residents should contact Hillsborough County at (813) 272-5680.
Can I drop off furniture somewhere instead? Yes — McKay Bay Transfer Station (114 S. 34th St) accepts furniture free for City account holders. Self-haul required.
What if I already used my SWEEP pickup? Special curbside pickup is available at $17.26 per cubic yard. Call (813) 274-8811.
How should I prepare furniture for pickup? Leave assembled. Tape exposed glass. Roll and tie carpet. Place curbside by 6 AM on scheduled date, separate from regular carts.
How much is 10 cubic yards? Roughly 3–4 pickup truck loads. A sofa is about 1–1.5 cubic yards, a mattress is about 1 cubic yard. If in doubt, call (813) 274-8811 and ask.
Can I take furniture to McKay Bay without a truck? Yes, but you must fit it in your vehicle and self-unload. Measure your largest piece first. If it does not fit, curbside pickup is your better option.
Sources
- S.W.E.E.P. Program — City of Tampa — Official SWEEP page with eligibility and scheduling
- Special Services — City of Tampa — Special curbside pickup pricing and scheduling
- City of Tampa Solid Waste — Official municipal hub
- Hillsborough County Bulky Items — County bulky waste services
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. SWEEP schedules, fees, and eligibility rules change. Call (813) 274-8811 or visit tampa.gov/sweep to verify current information before placing furniture curbside.