HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Hillsborough County is bringing its “Fight the Blight” initiative to Ruskin next week, giving local neighbors a chance to toss their heavy trash without making a single trip to the dump. Starting Monday, April 6, and running through Friday, April 10, the Rapid Response team will be patrolling the Ruskin Inlet Southwest and Ruskin Inlet East neighborhoods to haul away everything from old sofas to scrap metal.
The program is designed to tackle the eyesores that can drag down a community.
According to county officials, “How a community looks can impact how residents feel,” noting that illegal dump sites and code violations often affect the health, safety, and property values of an entire neighborhood.
By offering this curbside service, the county aims to help residents clear out junk that usually requires a drive to a Community Collection Center.
READ: Hillsborough County Traffic Alert: Night Closures, Bridge Work To Snarl Drive April 5-11
If you live within the cleanup zones, you can set out furniture, general debris, electronics, and even up to five non-commercial tires. However, there are some ground rules: the county will not pick up yard waste, commercial tires, or any hazardous chemicals.
To make sure your stuff gets loaded onto the trucks, you’ll need to have it out by 5 a.m. on your collection day, though officials suggest putting it out the night before just to be safe.
The boundaries for this cleanup are specific. In the Ruskin Inlet Southwest area, the service covers the blocks between the Ruskin Inlet to the north and Woodland Estates to the south, stretching from U.S. 41 over to 10th Street SW. In Ruskin Inlet East, the zone sits between East Shell Point Road and S.R. 674, running from 9th Street NE to U.S. 41.
This service is already paid for through the annual solid waste assessments found on property tax bills, so there is no extra fee at the curb. Code Enforcement is urging residents to use the week to spruce up their homes and stay ahead of potential violations. If you aren’t sure if your house falls within the lines or have questions about a specific item, you can reach Code Enforcement at (813) 274-6600.
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