Pinellas County Waste Facility Tour: Free in St. Pete

Ever wonder where your trash goes after the truck pulls away? You can actually go see. The Pinellas County waste facility tour in St. Pete is free, and it takes you behind the scenes of the county’s Solid Waste Disposal Complex. Here is what to expect.

What Is the Pinellas County Waste Facility Tour?

Pinellas County Solid Waste runs tours of its Solid Waste Disposal Complex in St. Petersburg. The county handles over one million tons of garbage there every year, so there is plenty to see.

The free tour gives an overview of the county’s whole trash system, including the Waste-to-Energy Facility, the landfill, recycling programs, and the Household Hazardous Waste Center. You will also hear about the county’s big goal: zero waste to landfill by 2050.

What You Will See on the Pinellas County Waste Facility Tour

The tour runs about 90 minutes and has two parts, each around 45 minutes.

Part 1: The classroom. A presentation covers how Pinellas County manages trash and why creating less waste matters.

Part 2: The driving tour. You hop in a tour vehicle and head out. The county says the route includes:

• The scalehouse
• The citizen hand unload area
• The tire processing and yard waste-to-mulch area
• The Waste-to-Energy Facility
• The landfill

You stay in the vehicle the whole time, and the route can change with weather or site conditions.

Who Can Take a Pinellas County Waste Facility Tour?

Tours are open to everyone at least eight years old and in third grade or above. Monthly public tours take up to 26 attendees, so grab your spot early.

Teachers, take note: school tours are field trips approved by Pinellas County Schools, and the county has a request form. Got kids in kindergarten through second grade? The county has activities and resources for them, plus the virtual tour below.

Tour Tips Before You Go

• Plan your time. Allow 90 minutes, up to two hours, and arrive 15 minutes early.
• No hiking required. Walking is limited to the parking lot, classroom, and vehicle. There are no stairs, but there are several steps to get into the vehicle.
• Pack smart. Only water is allowed in the classroom, and restrooms are in the same building.
• Know where to go. The Solid Waste Tour Classroom is at 2940 110th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.

Can’t Go in Person? Take the Virtual Tour

The county also offers a virtual tour of the complex that won a 2024 Game Changing Tools Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America’s Communication, Education and Marketing Technical Division.

You can explore at your own pace, visit the Waste-to-Energy Facility, and even watch a video of a giant claw lifting six to 10 tons of garbage. It also goes behind the scenes to areas the in-person tour does not reach, so it is great for kids under eight or anyone who wants a deeper dive.

How to Book a Pinellas County Waste Facility Tour

Head to the county’s Educational Resources: Trash and Recycling page, click “Register for a Monthly Tour,” and pick a date and time that works for you. Schools use the request form instead.

Questions? Email recycle@pinellas.gov or call (727) 464-7500. Schedules can change, so check the county’s page before you plan your visit.

Pinellas County Waste Facility Tour FAQs

Is the tour free?

Yes. The county’s tour listings call it a free tour.

Is it a walking tour?

No. You ride in a county tour vehicle.

How long does it take?

About 90 minutes to two hours.

Can younger kids go?

Tours are for third grade and above, so younger kids can try the virtual tour.

Is the Pinellas County Waste Facility Tour Worth It?

If you have ever wondered where your trash goes, absolutely. It is not your typical St. Pete outing, but you might never look at your trash can the same way again.

Spot the yard waste-to-mulch area on the tour? That is where yard debris becomes mulch, and you can take some home for free. Our guide to free mulch in St. Pete shows you where. And keep an eye on our Did You Know? series for more helpful local resources.