Houston Trash & Recycling Pickup Schedule (2025)
Complete guide for Houston, TX: weekly garbage pickup, recycling & heavy trash schedule, tree/yard waste, bulk items, holiday changes, drop-off points and how to report service issues.
Garbage (Black Cart)
Weekly curbside collection. Place city-issued cart at curb between 6 p.m. the night before and 7 a.m. on collection day. Keep 3 ft clearance from other objects. 11
Recycling (Green Cart)
Collected every other week on the same day as garbage. Single stream; accepted plastics #1-#5 & #7, paper, glass, metal. 22
Bulk/Heavy Trash & Tree Waste
Monthly curbside for bulk items & tree debris (odd months tree waste, even months junk/bulk) – residents must follow rules for placement & limits. 33
📍 Address Lookup (Official)
Enter your address to find your service day(s), cart type and schedule for garbage, recycling & heavy trash in Houston.
Find Your Schedule – City of Houston
🗓️ Weekly Pickup & Set-out Rules
- Garbage (black cart): Place city-provided cart curbside between 6 p.m. the evening before and 7 a.m. on collection day; ensure 3 ft clearance and lids closed.
- Recycling (green cart): Sets out the same day as trash but collected every other week.
- Cart placement: handle facing house; keep carts at least 3 ft apart, away from mailboxes, cars, trees.
- Yard waste: Same day as garbage – use compostable bags (50 lb max) or bundles of branches (less than 4 ft long / 18 in diameter) separate from trash.
♻️ Recycling — Accepted & Not Accepted
Accepted (Green Cart)
- Empty & rinsed metal cans (aluminum/steel)
- Empty & rinsed glass bottles & jars
- Flattened cardboard & paperboard
- Plastics #1-#5 & #7 (bottles, jugs, tubs) — no bags/film.
Not Accepted
- Plastic bags, plastic film or wrap
- Batteries, electronics, cords
- Yard waste mixed in (use separate yard collection)
📦 Bulk / Heavy Trash & Tree Waste
- Tree Waste (odd-numbered months: Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov) — furniture, branches, stumps etc.
- Junk / Bulk Waste (even-numbered months: Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec) — appliances, mattresses, bulky household items.
- Set-out rules: Place items between 6 p.m. the Friday before and 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day; items must be accessible and not block utilities. Limit: 8 cubic yards.
🌿 Tree & Yard Waste Collection
- Yard waste bags must be compostable bags (approved by City) and weigh ≤ 50 lbs; branches should be bundled (< 4 ft long, < 18 in diameter).
- Yard waste is collected the same day as trash for residents on automated service.
⚠️ Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
The City’s Solid Waste Management Department handles rules and drop-off centers for hazardous waste (chemicals, paints, electronics, oils).
- Commonly accepted at service centers and scheduled events — check City website for locations and dates.
📍 Drop-off & Recycling Centers
| Site | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reuse Warehouse | 9003 N. Main St., Houston, TX 77022 | Furniture, appliances, recyclables drop-off. |
🎉 Holiday Schedule
- The City of Houston may delay or cancel services on major holidays — check the Solid Waste Dept. portal for current notices.
🚚 Missed Pickup — What to Do
- Ensure your cart was placed correctly and on time (night before) and not blocked.
- Check the City online schedule and alerts for your area.
- If still missed, submit a request via 3-1-1 or the online portal.
💲 Cart Sizes & Fees
| Service | Notes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage & Recycling Collection | Included for eligible single-family homes receiving automated service. | Varies; consult City SWMD site. |
🏢 Apartments / Multi-family
Larger multi-unit residences and commercial properties often use private waste haulers under City franchise system. Residents should check with property management for specific schedule & services.
📞 Contacts & 311
- City of Houston Solid Waste Management Dept (SWMD): Service portal online, or call 3-1-1 for service requests.
🔗 Data Sources