Trash/Recycling

 

The City of Houston provides weekly curbside garbage collection for single‑family residential homes using 96‑gallon automated garbage carts. 

 

Garbage is collected once per week, on Fridays 
Search your address using the service lookup tool or the HTX App

 

1. Place your city issued garbage cart at the curb between 6:00 p.m. the day before and 6:00 a.m. on your collection day
2. Keep container lids fully closed. Carts should not be overfilled or have items sticking out
3. Place carts at least 3 feet away from obstacles such as mailboxes, vehicles, trees, or other containers
4. Do not block sidewalks, driveways, or roadways
5. Blocked or inaccessible carts will not be serviced
6. Remove carts from the curb and store them in a secure location by 10:00 p.m. on your collection day
7. Collection services follow City schedules and may change during holidays or service interruptions

Accepted Materials

1. Bagged household garbage
2. Food waste
3. Non-recyclable household materials
4. Small household items that fit inside approved containers

Materials Not Accepted

1. Hazardous waste such as chemicals, paint, or flammable materials
2. Tires, batteries, and automotive fluids
3. Construction debris or remodeling materials
4. Items designated for recycling, yard waste, or heavy trash collection

Heavy trash is collected every other month for eligible addresses that receive City curbside service. Residences that receive curbside collection are allowed six (6) heavy trash curbside collections per calendar year.

This service helps maintain clean neighborhoods, reduces illegal dumping, and provides a convenient option for disposing of large household items and yard debris.

 

Assigned day: Use the City’s online tools to look up your schedule. CBB is generally on the 4th Wednesday of the assigned months: February, April, June, August, October, December
Search your address using the service lookup tool or the HTX App

 

Set‑out window: Place heavy trash at the curb between 6:00 p.m. the Friday before and 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
Placement location: Set items just behind the curb line in front of your home. Do not place items in the street or on sidewalks.
Keep accessible: Do not stack items under wires, signs, or mailboxes; do not place on top of meters, hydrants, or other utilities; do not block pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
HHW & electronics: Do not set out household hazardous waste (chemicals, fuels, wet paint) or electronic scrap for heavy trash. Take these items to an Environmental Service Center (ESC).
Drop‑off option: If you need to dispose of materials between heavy trash months or over the curbside limits, use a Residential Drop‑Off locations (proof‑of‑address required).

1. Clean wood materials such as tree limbs, branches, and stumps.
2. Tree limbs and shrubbery — individual pieces not exceeding 8 inches in diameter or 10 feet in length.

NOTE: Bagged grass clippings and leaves are collected under the yard waste program, not heavy trash.

1. Household furniture (e.g., couches, tables, dressers)
2. Carpet (secure/bundle)
3. Mattresses and box springs
4. Toilets
5. Bicycles and toys
6. Appliances: stoves, washers, dryers, water heaters
7. Refrigerators/freezers only with a certified technician’s tag showing refrigerant has been removed.

Restrictions

Volume limit: Maximum 8 cubic yards per set‑out (about the size of a minivan).
Building material: Up to 4 cubic yards of resident‑generated building material may be collected (excludes shingles, brick, plaster, and concrete).
Contractor debris: Not collected. Material generated by contractors (tree removal, construction, roofing, remodeling, etc.) must be removed by the contractor.
Mixed piles: If authorized and unauthorized items are mixed, the entire pile may be refused.