Dallas Trash & Recycling Guide 2025: Collection Schedule, Monthly Bulk Pickup & 311 Services
Dallas Sanitation Services provides waste collection to approximately 330,000+ residential households across the city. This comprehensive guide covers everything Dallas residents need to know about trash and recycling schedules, monthly brush and bulky item pickup, the Dallas Sanitation Services mobile app, and how to use 311 for service requests.
Last Updated: January 28, 2025
Finding Your Dallas Collection Schedule
Dallas provides weekly trash collection and weekly recycling collection for all residential customers, plus monthly brush and bulky item pickup.
How to Find Your Collection Day
1. Dallas Sanitation Services Mobile App (Recommended) Download the official app (iOS/Android):
- Find your garbage and recycling schedule
- Get reminders before collection day
- Receive notifications about schedule changes (holidays, weather)
- View brush and bulky pickup calendar
- Request services
2. Online Schedule Lookup Visit the Sanitation Services website:
3. Call 311
- Dial 311 from within Dallas
- Dial 214-670-4111 from outside Dallas or cell phones
- Available 24/7
Collection Services Overview
Trash Collection:
- Once per week (same day each week)
- Use city-provided green trash cart
- Set out by 7:00 AM on collection day
Recycling Collection:
- Once per week (same day as trash, different truck)
- Use city-provided blue recycling cart
- Single-stream recycling
Brush and Bulky Items:
- Once per month (specific week varies by area)
- 10 cubic yards standard monthly limit
- 20 cubic yards once-annual exception (call 311 in advance)
Monthly Brush and Bulky Item Pickup
Dallas offers monthly brush and bulky item curbside collection - one of the most generous programs among major U.S. cities.
How the Monthly System Works
Frequency: Once per month - your designated week rotates throughout the year.
Standard Limit: Up to 10 cubic yards per month (about the size of a standard pickup truck bed).
Annual Exception: One 20 cubic yard pickup per year - must call 311 in advance to request during your scheduled month.
2025 Brush-Bulky Calendar
Your specific pickup week depends on your location. Download the 2025 Brush-Bulky Calendar PDF:
Or check the Dallas Sanitation Services mobile app for your personalized schedule.
What Qualifies as Brush and Bulky Items
✅ Brush (Yard Waste):
- Tree limbs and branches (bundled, max 4 feet long, 4 inches diameter)
- Leaves and grass clippings (bagged)
- Plant trimmings
- Christmas trees (during January)
✅ Bulky Items:
- Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, mattresses)
- Appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves)
- Water heaters
- Large household items
- Carpet (rolled and tied)
❌ NOT Accepted:
- Construction/remodeling debris
- Hazardous materials
- Electronics (take to recycling centers)
- Tires
- Dirt, rocks, concrete
Set-Out Rules
When to Set Out:
- No earlier than the Friday before your pickup week
- Place at curb by 7:00 AM Monday of your pickup week
How to Prepare:
- Brush: Bundle branches with twine (max 4 feet long, 50 lbs per bundle)
- Leaves: Bag in biodegradable paper bags or reusable containers
- Bulky items: Place near curb, don't block sidewalk or street
Placement:
- At curb or alley (depending on your service area)
- Keep separated from regular trash and recycling
- Don't obstruct traffic or pedestrians
⚠️ Oversized Loads: If you need the 20 cubic yard annual exception, call 311 in advance of your pickup week to request it.
Recycling Guidelines
Dallas uses single-stream recycling, meaning all recyclables go in the same blue cart.
What to Recycle
✅ Accepted in Blue Cart:
- Paper, cardboard, newspaper, magazines
- Plastic bottles and containers (#1-7)
- Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- Aluminum and tin cans
- Empty aerosol cans
- Milk and juice cartons
❌ NOT Accepted:
- Plastic bags (return to grocery stores)
- Styrofoam
- Food waste
- Soiled paper/cardboard (pizza boxes with grease)
- Electronics
- Batteries
- Hazardous materials
Recycling Rules
🧼 RINSE: Empty and rinse all containers.
📦 FLATTEN: Break down cardboard boxes to save space.
🚫 NO BAGS: Place recyclables loose in blue cart (never bagged).
🔍 WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT: If unsure, put it in trash to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.
Dallas Sanitation Services Mobile App
The Dallas Sanitation Services app is the easiest way to stay on top of your collection schedule.
App Features
✅ What the App Provides:
- Personalized garbage and recycling schedule
- Brush and bulky pickup calendar for your address
- Reminders before collection day
- Notifications about schedule changes (holidays, weather delays)
- Service request submission
- Collection day lookup for any address
Download:
- iOS: Apple App Store
- Android: Google Play Store
Free to use - no subscription or fees.
311 Customer Service
Dallas 311 is the city's customer service center for all non-emergency city services, including sanitation.
How to Contact 311
Phone:
- Dial 311 (from within Dallas)
- Dial 214-670-4111 (from outside Dallas or cell phones)
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Online:
- Submit requests at dallascityhall.com
Mobile App:
- Download "OurDallas" app (separate from Sanitation Services app)
What 311 Can Help With
Sanitation Services:
- Find your collection schedule
- Report missed collection
- Request your once-annual 20 cubic yard bulk pickup exception
- Report illegal dumping
- Request additional or replacement carts
- Report damaged carts
- Ask questions about what can/cannot be recycled
Holiday Collection Schedule
Dallas Sanitation Services operates on normal schedule for most holidays. Collection is NOT suspended for most holidays.
Holidays with Normal Collection
Collection OCCURS as normal on these holidays:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Most other holidays
No delays - your regular collection day remains the same.
Holidays with Adjusted Schedule
Check the Dallas Sanitation Services app or website for any holiday schedule changes. The city will notify customers via the app if there are any adjustments.
Generally, only major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas may result in schedule changes, and customers will be notified in advance.
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Dallas does NOT have a permanent household hazardous waste drop-off facility open to residents year-round. However, the city hosts periodic collection events.
HHW Collection Events
Dallas hosts household hazardous waste collection events throughout the year at various locations.
What to Bring:
- Oil-based paints
- Automotive fluids
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Household chemicals
- Batteries
- Fluorescent bulbs
How to Find Events:
- Check dallascityhall.com/departments/sanitation for event calendar
- Follow City of Dallas - Department of Sanitation Services on Facebook
- Call 311 for upcoming event dates
Requirements: Dallas residents only, proof of residency may be required.
What to Do Between Events
Paint (latex/water-based):
- Dry it out (remove lid, add cat litter)
- Trash it once solid
Electronics: Take to certified e-waste recyclers or retailer take-back programs (Best Buy, Staples).
Batteries: Many retailers accept batteries (Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy).
What NOT to Put in Trash or Recycling
⚠️ Prohibited Items:
❌ Hazardous Waste → Wait for HHW collection events
❌ Electronics → Retailer take-back or certified recyclers
❌ Medical Sharps → Pharmacy drop boxes
❌ Medications → Pharmacy take-back programs
❌ Plastic Bags → Return to grocery stores
❌ Construction Debris → Hire private hauler or rent dumpster
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What do I do if my trash or recycling wasn't picked up?
Report via 311:
- Call 311 (or 214-670-4111)
- Use Dallas Sanitation Services app
- Submit request online at dallascityhall.com
Sanitation Services will investigate and collect within 1-2 business days if valid.
2. How do I get the 20 cubic yard annual bulk pickup exception?
Call 311 in advance of your scheduled brush-bulky pickup week to request your once-annual 20 cubic yard exception. You must call before your pickup week begins.
3. Can I get an extra trash or recycling cart?
Yes, residents can request additional carts:
- Call 311 to request
- Additional carts may have monthly fee
- Specify size needed
4. What if I have more than 10 cubic yards of bulk items but already used my 20-yard exception?
If you've exceeded your monthly and annual limits:
- Wait for next month's pickup
- Hire a private junk removal service
- Rent a dumpster
- Donate or sell usable items
The city does NOT provide additional pickups beyond the monthly 10 cubic yards and annual 20 cubic yard exception.
5. Can I recycle plastic bags in my blue cart?
NO - Plastic bags damage recycling equipment and are NOT accepted in Dallas curbside recycling.
Where to recycle plastic bags:
- Return to grocery stores (collection bins at entrance)
- Participating retailers: Kroger, Tom Thumb, Walmart, Target
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Green Cart (Trash) | Blue Cart (Recycle) | Monthly Bulk Pickup | HHW Events | Other | |------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------|------------|-------| | Household trash | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Cardboard | ❌ | ✅ (flattened) | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Plastic bottles | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Glass bottles | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Aluminum cans | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Furniture | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (10 cu yd/mo) | ❌ | Private hauler | | Appliances | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (10 cu yd/mo) | ❌ | Private hauler | | Yard waste/brush | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (bundled) | ❌ | - | | Electronics | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Retailers, recyclers | | Oil-based paint | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (events only) | - | | Latex paint (dried) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Dry first | | Batteries | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (events) | Some retailers | | Plastic bags | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Grocery stores |
Official Dallas Resources
🏛️ Dallas Sanitation Services:
- Website: dallascityhall.com/departments/sanitation
- General info: dallascityhall.com/departments/sanitation/Pages/default.aspx
📅 Collection Schedule:
📱 Dallas Sanitation Services Mobile App:
- iOS: Apple App Store
- Android: Google Play Store
🗓️ 2025 Brush-Bulky Calendar:
☎️ Dallas 311:
- Call: 311 (within Dallas)
- Call: 214-670-4111 (outside Dallas or cell)
- Available: 24/7
🗑️ Brush and Bulky Info:
📘 Facebook:
- Follow: City of Dallas - Department of Sanitation Services
About This Guide: This Dallas resident waste guide is updated for 2025 based on current Sanitation Services policies and City of Dallas regulations. Dallas offers monthly brush and bulky pickup (10 cubic yards standard, 20 cubic yards once-annual exception via 311 advance request). Download the Dallas Sanitation Services mobile app for personalized schedules and notifications. Policies may change - always verify current information on official dallascityhall.com websites or by calling 311.
Last Updated: January 2025 Sources: Dallas Sanitation Services, dallascityhall.com official resources, 2025 Brush-Bulky Calendar, Dallas 311.