City of Tampa Solid Waste Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Giving Yard Waste Second Life Through Mulching
TAMPA, Fla. (February 19, 2025) -- A year into its first Yard Waste Program, the City of Tampa's Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management Department has composted more than 20 million pounds of yard waste, enough to fill nearly four Olympic swimming pools, and is gearing up for another free compost giveaway for residents, ahead of the upcoming dry weather season.
In 2024, the department partnered with Veransa Group to divert yard waste from landfills and give it new purpose. Over the past year, Veransa Group has received more than 20,923,240 pounds of yard waste from local residents and converted it into nutrient-rich compost and mulch that it sells and distributes across the region.
Not only does it divert waste from landfills, the initiative also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and optimizes space at the city's McKay Bay Waste-to-Energy plant, where all waste is processed and burned into energy.
Water Conservation and Climate Resilience:¶
The enhanced program goes beyond waste reduction and plays a crucial role in water conservation. Tampa's average rainfall in March 2020 and 2024 was 2.4 inches, and between March 2020 and 2023, it was less than an inch. During dry months, compost enhances soil moisture retention.
Last Summer, 150 residents received compost made through the Yard Waste Program during a community giveaway. The next compost giveaway will take place on April 25 and 26. Visit tampa.gov/water for an application form.
"In alignment with our Climate Action and Equity Plan, composting our yard waste is a big step toward creating a more sustainable Tampa," said Mayor Jane Castor. "But residents and businesses will play a big role in making sure they remember to dispose of yard waste appropriately in order for the program to be successful."
Yard waste Guidelines: ¶
- As a reminder all residents and customers are required to place yard waste, up to 4 cubic yards, curbside as follows:
- Reusable containers (32-gallon maximum size)
- Biodegradable paper yard waste bags
- Bundled using jute twine
- Each item should not weigh more than 50 lbs.
- Yard waste is not permitted to be containerized in blue garbage carts or green recycling carts.
Other rules to follow regarding yard waste collection:¶
- Landscaping companies are required to haul away all yard waste created from their work.
- No food waste such as fruits/vegetables, dirt, rocks or heavy-duty debris other than yard clippings can be placed curbside.
- Containers, bags, or bundles must be positioned curbside and must have a 3-foot clearance on all sides. If possible, do not place paper bags directly on the street in the path of rainwater flow. Our team will be prepared to collect all yard waste from all climates.
- Residential customers may place up to 4 cubic yards of yard waste curbside for collection services on their regularly scheduled yard waste collection day.
For additional information on the Yard Waste Collection Program, please visit our website at www.tampa.gov/yardwaste.