Waste not want not, as the old expression goes.

While Milton has been and gone, he and Helene have left behind a trail of destruction and months of work to come. Driving around the Tampa Bay area, it's impossible to avoid piles of debris, branches, and uprooted trees on their sides.

So, how do we get rid of it all?

Collection services

As of Monday, Oct. 14, trash services are operating as usual in Tampa, and the same goes for "routes that can be safely accessed" across Hillsborough County. On the other side of the Bay, St. Petersburg has also resumed trash services since the storm.

Storm debris collection is back underway across our area, as it has been since Hurricane Helene. Officials ask that you separate waste into separate categories outside your house: vegetative, construction materials, and household debris. This will help make the ongoing pickup process quicker + smoother.

If you need help clearing debris, you can call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386. That's where you'll be connected with local volunteers and relief organizations who may be able to help.

One piece of debris at a time. | Photo via City of St. Pete

If you want to do it yourself

When dropping off debris around Tampa Bay, first and foremost, remember to bring your ID to show proof of residency. While the requirement has been waived in parts of Tampa Bay, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Tampa's McKay Bay Scalehouse remains closed until further notice due to storm damage. As a result, officials have opened additional drop-off sites for vegetative debris: 22nd Street Park and Gadsden Park are open Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hillsborough County residents have a bunch of options, too.

There are also sites around St. Pete which open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily, including:

1000 62nd Ave. NE
7750 26th Ave. N.
2500 26th Ave. S.

Got any questions? Write to us, and we'll try to answer.