Republic Services is the contracted provider for curbside collection services in Hernando County (excluding the City of Brooksville).  Please call them at (352) 540-6457 for questions about your service.

Hernando County does not pick up waste or recycling at the curb. We do, however, contract residential waste hauling services for unincorporated Hernando County.  Unincorporated Hernando County is divided into four districts, each of which are awarded to an individual hauler that has the exclusive right to provide residential service in accordance with the guidelines in their contract.  Currently, Hernando County has a contractual agreement with Republic Services to collect residential garbage in all four districts.

Contact Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 to find out your service days or for other questions about your curbside collection service.

Residential curbside collection service is provided by Republic Services. Service includes twice per week trash, once per week yard waste and once per week recycling collection. 

Residents in the universal (mandatory) area of the County pay for this service through a solid waste collection assessment on their tax bill.  It is not necessary to setup service, however if you do not have a blue garbage cart or recycling bins, please call Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 to request them. For more information on the collection assessment, see the FAQ for Non-Ad Valorem Tax Assessments below.

Residents in the subscription area must contact Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 to set up curbside service and to receive a blue garbage cart and recycling bins.  Subscription area customers will be billed quarterly by Republic Services.   

As of January 1, 2023, curbside collection in the universal (mandatory) area is $16.21 per month, billed annually as a non-ad valorem assessment on your tax bill. The total annual charge for curbside collection appearing on your tax bill is $194.52.

As of January 1, 2023 curbside collection in the subscription area is $15.19 per month, billed quarterly by Republic Services. The total for curbside collection is $45.57 per quarter or $182.28 per year.

These prices include twice per week collection of garbage, once per week collection of recycling, once per week collection of yard waste and 4 bulk items per year.

The waste hauler may request an annual increase based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), as applicable, during the previous Contract Year. Price increases must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners.

Effective January 1, 2024, curbside collection in the universal (mandatory) area will be $16.24 per month, billed annually as a non-ad valorem assessment on your 2023 tax bill. The total annual charge for curbside collection appearing on your tax bill will be $194.88.

Effective January 1, 2024 curbside collection in the subscription area will be $15.22 per month, billed quarterly in advance by Republic Services. The total for curbside collection is $45.66 per quarter or $182.64 per year.

Republic Services does not pick up residential trash in the City of Brooksville.  Contact the City of Brooksville at (352) 540-3860 for information on your collection service.

The waste hauler uses automated garbage trucks to empty waste containers.  These trucks use an arm to lift, empty and lower the cart back to the ground, resulting in a safer and more efficient collection method.  In some areas where conditions prohibit the use of the automated side-loader trucks, the carts are collected with a tipper located on the back of the truck.

To accommodate this collection method, all waste must be placed in the two wheeled cart provided by the franchise waste hauler. The cart handles should face your house and the arrows on the lid face the street.  The cart should be approximately three feet from the roadway, but not in the roadway.  The lid must be closed. Carts should be placed at least 3 feet away from other obstacles, such as mailboxes and parked cars, and should not have any overhead obstructions, such as powerlines or tree limbs.  Do not place anything on top of your cart.  Carts that are not properly placed may not be serviced.

Place your container at the curb before 6 a.m. on designated days, but no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before.  Remove containers and any remaining trash by the end of service day.

A cart-based automated / semi-automated collection system was implemented in February 2019.  Each customer receives a 95-gallon or 65-gallon, two-wheel cart to store their garbage. These carts are easy to maneuver and are provided and maintained by the contracted waste hauler. Garbage carts are emptied with automated side-loader trucks. These trucks use an arm to lift, empty and lower the cart back to the ground, resulting in a safer and more efficient collection method.  In some areas, where conditions prohibit the use of the automated side-loader trucks, the carts are collected with a tipper located on the back of the truck.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks refuse and recyclable material collectors as the seventh most dangerous fatal work occupation in the United States. The automated trucks require only one employee who does not have to leave the truck to collect garbage. This significantly decreases the risk of injury or death by automobile and improves efficiencies.  Using an automated arm or a mechanical tipper on the back of a truck reduces the incidence of workers compensation injuries associated with repeated lifting of garbage cans or exposure to chemical and biological hazards.

You may place household trash such as kitchen and bathroom waste, packaging, clothing and miscellaneous household trash in the cart.  Items must fit in the cart with the lid closed.  Carts should not weigh more than 100 pounds with contents.

Do not place recycling, yard waste, red bag medical waste, needles, hazardous waste, paint, chemicals, motor oil, liquids, dead animals, hot ashes, large car parts, tires, car batteries and/or construction debris including bricks, blocks or large pieces of wood, in your cart. Carts should not weigh more than 100 pounds with contents. Please contact Hernando County Solid Waste at (352) 754-4112 for information on the proper way to dispose of any of these items.

BAG trash before placing in cart to prevent scattering during collection. Hauler is not responsible for spilled trash.  Residents are responsible for keeping areas free of spilled garbage.

No, only waste inside the blue cart with lid closed is collected.  Any garbage bags or other debris placed outside the cart will be left and must be placed inside the cart for collection on the following scheduled service day.

You can contact Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 to schedule a bulk or extra bag pickup for an additional fee.

There are two garbage cart sizes available, 95- or 65-gallon. Customers may contact Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 to request a different size cart.  A delivery fee will apply.

Most household waste will fit easily in the cart, however only the contents of the cart with lid closed will be collected. Excess trash may be saved for the next collection day or taken to a drop off facility.

Residents who frequently have excess trash should consider reducing waste through recycling. Curbside recycling is included in your service with once-per-week collection of paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, and tin.  Contact Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 to request recycling bins.

If you still need a second cart, contact Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 to request a second garbage cart.  A delivery fee and additional monthly fee apply.

No, customers may only use the blue carts provided by Republic Services for trash collection. The automated trucks arms are calibrated for the specific carts that are provided by Republic Services. Other types of carts are not guaranteed to be compatible with the arms and may cause the carts to be damaged or destroyed. For example, the arm may grip the cart too tightly and crush it OR the arm may grab the cart too lightly and it will fall into the truck where it cannot be safely retrieved.

If the collection truck causes the damage or damage is the result of normal wear, the damaged cart will be repaired or replaced at no charge. Damage resulting from negligence or abuse by the resident will be the responsibility of the resident.  Please call Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 to request repair or replacement.  Customers are responsible for keeping the carts clean and sanitary.

When you set up curbside service with Republic Services, a garbage cart will be assigned to your address.  You should only use the cart assigned to your address.  Address stickers may be placed on the cart for identification. 

Curbside recycling is a great opportunity to help yourself, your community and the environment.  Recycling is collected in two sorted bins one time per week. If you do not have bins, you may request them online at www.hernandocounty.us/solidwaste or by calling Republic Services at (352) 540-6457. 

One set of bins is provided by the hauler. Bins are approximately 18-20 gallons in size and open top. Place sorted bins curbside before 6 a.m. on your service day.  Remove empty containers at the end of the service day.  Recycling should be sorted as follows:

One bin for paper and cardboard including magazines, newspapers, paper, junk mail, cereal boxes, soda boxes, pizza boxes, corrugated boxes, shredded paper (in paper bags, not loose). Cardboard must be under 3' X 3' and fit inside bin. 

One bin for plastic, aluminum and tin including aluminum and tin (steel) cans, rigid plastic containers, milk, soda, water, cooking oil, salad dressing, shampoo and laundry detergent. Chemical containers must be empty and rinsed.   Exceptions: No motor oil or other automotive lubricant containers. One partial can of oil will contaminate the WHOLE bin of plastics.

Do NOT Mix trash or plastic bags with your recycling.  Recycling must be free of food waste, trash, plastic bags, or any material not listed above. Mixed or contaminated recycling will NOT be collected.

All recycled items must fit into bins. If needed, additional containers of a like size and style can be used.  Suggestions include laundry baskets or storage totes.

Yard waste is collected once per week in customer provided containers.  Do not use the provided garbage cart or recycling bins for yard waste.  Customers may set out up to 12 containers, bags or tied bundles under 50 pounds and 45 gallons each.

Bundles must be under four feet long and tied. Individual branches must be less than four inches in diameter and four feet in length.  Loose yard waste and untied piles or stacks of yard waste are not collected.  

Covered trash cans, brown paper bags or bundles are preferred.  Plastic bags are accepted but will be opened and emptied into the truck.  This may result in some spillage, particularly on windy days.  Contractors are not responsible for spillage due to normal collection process. 

Yard waste is recycled and must be kept free of trash, plastic bags or flowers, rocks, flowerpots and other debris. Yard waste may include vegetative matter and biodegradable brown paper bags ONLY.  Mixed yard waste will not be collected.

Live Christmas trees may be disposed of if cut to under four-foot lengths and cleaned of all decorations and tinsel.

Tree removal and debris from land clearing is not eligible to be collected at the curb. Commercial yard waste generated by your landscaper is not permitted to be left curbside for residential collection.

No, Commercial yard waste generated by your landscaper is not permitted to be left curbside for residential collection.  Tree removal and debris from land clearing is not eligible to be collected at the curb.

Live Christmas trees and wreaths may be disposed of with yard waste if cut to under 4-foot lengths and cleaned of all decorations and tinsel.

Artificial Christmas trees and wreaths may be disposed of as trash by calling Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 to schedule a bulk pickup.  Small wreaths that fit inside the garbage container and decorations may be disposed of by placing inside your garbage cart on your regular trash day.

Bulk items are a special collection and must be scheduled by calling Republic Services at (352) 540-6457.  Do not place items at the curb until 6 p.m. the night before the scheduled collection.  Each customer may have four bulk items picked up for FREE each year. Additional items require pre-payment of an added fee.

Bulk items include furniture, non-freon containing appliances and other large household items that do not fit in the garbage cart.  Exceptions:  Refrigerators, freezers, propane tanks or other items that use freon, gas or hazardous waste cannot be collected curbside.  Glass table-tops, mirrors and similar items will only be collected curbside as bulk in non-broken condition.

For safety reasons, please remove or seal doors on all appliances so that children cannot crawl inside and become trapped.

Waste is collected on all holidays except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Independence Day (Fourth of July). There are no make-up days.

Call Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 to report the missed pickup or complete the online Missed Pickup Form.

Yes, Hernando County offers a door service program to qualified households at no additional cost.  Door service provides for the garbage cart and the recycling bins to be picked up from the front door or garage door on collection days.  To receive door service, all adults in the household must qualify.  Please contact Hernando County at (352) 754-4112 to apply. 

Residents in the Universal (mandatory) area should leave the cart and bins with the house. Residents in the subscription area should return the cart and bins to Republic Services so that billing can be stopped. Contact Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 for questions about moving.

Recycling is a great opportunity to help yourself, your community and the environment.  Hernando County residents can participate in a variety of recycling programs offered in the community.  There are both residential curbside collection programs and drop off programs available from Hernando County and many private businesses also offer recycling of select items. 

You can sign up for weekly curbside recycling collection by calling Republic Services at (352) 540-6457 or completing the  Sign up for Curbside Recycling form online.  Two recycling bins will be delivered for you to use in sorting your material for collection.

One set of containers are provided by hauler. Bins are approximately 18-20 gallons in size and open top. Place sorted bins curbside before 6 a.m. on your service day.  Remove empty containers at the end of the service day.  Recycling should be sorted as follows:

One bin for paper and cardboard including magazines, newspapers, paper, junk mail, cereal boxes, soda boxes, pizza boxes, corrugated boxes, shredded paper (in paper bags, not loose). Cardboard must be under 3' X 3' and fit inside bin. 

One bin for plastic, aluminum and tin including aluminum and tin (steel) cans, rigid plastic containers, milk, soda, water, cooking oil, salad dressing, shampoo, and laundry detergent. Chemical containers must be empty and rinsed.   Exceptions: No motor oil or other automotive lubricant containers. One partial can of oil will contaminate the WHOLE bin of plastics.

Do NOT Mix trash or plastic bags with your recycling.  Recycling must be free of food waste, trash, plastic bags or any material not listed above. Mixed or contaminated recycling will NOT be collected.

All recycled items must fit into bins. If needed, additional containers of a like size and style can be used.  Suggestions include laundry baskets or storage totes.

Recycling is accepted at all three of our locations,

After recycling is picked up by the hauler, it is delivered to the Northwest Waste Management Facility (Main Landfill).  From there, the material is prepared and shipped to various processors.

Glass is not included in the Hernando County Recycling Program and should be placed in your household trash. It is becoming more common for glass to be excluded from recycling programs due to the cost associated with recycling glass and the decreasing consumer demand for glass.  Glass is inert and poses no threat to ground water or air quality when disposed of in the landfill.

Plastic grocery bags are not accepted in curbside recycling or recycling drop off centers.  Plastic bags need to be recycled separately from other types of recycling.  The processing equipment used cannot remove plastic bags from other recycling and plastic bags tangle up the processing equipment.  Plastic bags may be returned to participating stores. To find a location that recycles these items, please visit https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/recycling-bags-and-wraps/find-drop-off-location and enter your zip code. Plastic bags may also be placed in your household trash for disposal at the landfill.

Electronics are not accepted in curbside recycling or recycling drop off centers.  Electronics may be recycled at participating stores.  To find a location that recycles these items, please visit https://search.earth911.com/?utm_source=earth911-header and enter your zip code.  Electronics may also be placed in your household trash for disposal at the landfill.

Many items that are not included in a traditional recycling program can still have useful life left.  Items in good condition can be sold, given away or donated to thrift stores, churches, schools and non-profit organizations.  Instead of throwing away old books, office supplies, electronics, clothing, furniture, appliances, tools and other items, look for an organization that can use them.

According to the EPA, the most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Making a new product requires a lot of materials and energy - raw materials must be extracted from the earth and the product must be fabricated, then transported to wherever it will be sold. As a result, reduction and reuse are the most effective ways you can save natural resources, protect the environment and save money. Visit https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-and-reusing-basics for tips on reducing and reusing.

Hernando County has three drop off facilities for solid waste and recycling.  The types and quantities of materials accepted at the Northwest Waste Management Facility (Main Landfill) differ from materials accepted at Residential Convenience Centers in Spring Hill and Ridge Manor.  The Northwest Waste Management Facility (Main Landfill) is located in Brooksville and accepts larger quantities of waste and waste from residents and commercial businesses.  The two residential convenience centers in Spring Hill and Ridge Manor accept limited types and quantities of waste from property owners and residents of homes that pay the solid waste disposal assessment through their property taxes. 

No, Hernando County Solid Waste facilities only accept waste generated in Hernando County.  Out of County waste is not accepted.

Possibly.  Property owners and residents of homes that pays the annual solid waste disposal assessment with the property taxes may drop off up to 2,000 pounds of their own waste for free each calendar year.  Waste must be brought in by the property owner or resident who has shown proof of Hernando County address and cannot be brought in by an employee or contractor.  Exclusions do apply and all waste over 2,000 pounds for each property is charged the appropriate tipping fee. 

Tires may be disposed of at the Main Landfill only where the appropriate tipping fee will be charged.

Hernando County has two solid waste non-ad valorem assessments billed annually on property taxes.  The first is the disposal assessment billed to all owners of residential real property and the second is the collection assessment billed only to residential real property in the universal area of Spring Hill.

The Solid Waste Disposal Assessment is a non-ad valorem assessment billed annually to owners of residential real property in Hernando County. This assessment is the method of generating revenue to cover costs for the construction, operation and maintenance of the solid waste system which is comprised of the Croom Landfill (closed), The Northwest Waste Management Landfill (open), the West Hernando Convenience Center (open), the East Hernando Convenience Center (open), the Household Hazardous Waste program, the Waste Tire program, and the Recycling program.  It does not pay for the curbside collection of garbage.

The Solid Waste Disposal Assessment has been in effect since Fiscal Year 1990/1991.

Every residential single-family or multi-family property with four units or less in Hernando County pays this assessment.

The disposal assessment rate for 2024 is $94.91 for single-family units and $85.78 per unit for multi-family units.  This rate was approved in 2023 and will appear on the 2023 tax bill. This rate is subject to change.

The assessment rates increase as necessary due to rising operational costs, major capital projects and the need to provide for storm debris removal.  All increases are approved by the Board of County Commissioners.

The Solid Waste Department provides for the disposal of the entire County’s garbage and is in the process of constructing the next garbage cell for a cost of $28 million. This will provide disposal service to Hernando County residents for many more years.

The necessity for a storm debris fund developed after Hurricane Irma, when there was a need to pay for debris pick-up. FEMA does not pay 100 percent of this cost; therefore, the County must be prepared to fund storm debris removal so that our County can fully recover after a major disaster.

Invoices are issued for a pro-rated amount for all new construction homes completed after the issuance of the annual tax bills.  If you received an MSBU Solid Waste Disposal Assessment invoice and want to pay, please use one of the following four payment options:

PAY BY CHECK

Make check payable to Hernando County Solid Waste and mail to:

15365 Cortez Blvd.
Brooksville, FL 34613

PAY ONLINE

www.invoicecloud.com/hernandocounty

Additional fees apply when paying by credit card.  For questions regarding the Solid Waste Disposal Assessment, please call Hernando County Solid Waste at (352) 754-4112.

The Solid Waste Collection Assessment is a non-ad valorem assessment billed annually to owners of residential real property in the universal (mandatory) area of Spring Hill. This assessment is the method of generating revenue to cover costs for the residential curbside collection of garbage by the contracted waste hauler. It does not pay for the disposal of the garbage at the landfill or for the construction, operation or maintenance of any of the Solid Waste facilities or programs.

The Solid Waste Collection Assessment first appeared on the 2019 taxes to pay the expenses for the collection of garbage in the calendar year of 2020. Prior to that, garbage collection for the universal (mandatory) area was on the monthly Utility bill.

Every residential single-family or multi-family property with four units or less in the universal (mandatory) area of Spring Hill pays this assessment.

• As of January 1, 2023, curbside collection in the universal (mandatory) area is $16.21 per month, billed annually as a non-ad valorem assessment on your tax bill. The total annual charge for curbside collection appearing on your tax bill is $194.52.
  
  As of January 1, 2023 curbside collection in the subscription area is $15.19 per month, billed quarterly by Republic Services. The total for curbside collection is $45.57 per quarter or $182.28 per year.
  
  These prices include twice per week collection of garbage, once per week collection of recycling, once per week collection of yard waste and 4 bulk items per year.
  
  The waste hauler may request an annual increase based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), as applicable, during the previous Contract Year. Price increases must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
  
  
• Effective January 1, 2024, curbside collection in the universal (mandatory) area will be $16.24 per month, billed annually as a non-ad valorem assessment on your 2023 tax bill. The total annual charge for curbside collection appearing on your tax bill will be $194.88.
  
  
• Effective January 1, 2024 curbside collection in the subscription area will be $15.22 per month, billed quarterly in advance by Republic Services. The total for curbside collection is $45.66 per quarter or $182.64 per year.

The waste hauler may request an annual increase based upon changes in the Water Sewer and Trash Index (WSTI) and Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), as applicable, during the previous Contract Year.  Price increases must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners.

Yes, non-ad valorem assessments are still required to be paid.

No, tax bills must be paid in full. Partial payments are not accepted. Please contact the Tax Collector at (352) 754-4180 for information on making installment payments for the following year’s taxes.