Houston Trash & Recycling Guide 2025
Houston's Solid Waste Management Department provides waste collection services to approximately 800,000+ households across the city. Understanding your trash and recycling schedule, junk waste pickup months, and neighborhood depository locations can help you properly dispose of waste and keep Houston clean.
This comprehensive resident guide covers everything Houston residents need to know about trash collection, recycling, junk waste (heavy trash) pickup, hazardous waste disposal, and neighborhood depositories in 2025.
Finding Your Houston Trash & Recycling Schedule
How to Find Your Collection Schedule
Every Houston address has specific collection days for:
- Trash (garbage) - Weekly collection (same day every week)
- Recycling (single-stream) - Weekly collection (usually same day as trash)
- Junk Waste (heavy trash) - Bi-monthly collection (6 months per year)
How to Find Your Schedule:
š Official Map Tool: Houston SWM Collection Schedules Map
Enter your address to see:
- Your specific trash collection day
- Your recycling collection day
- Your junk waste collection months
- Neighborhood depository assignments
Alternative Methods:
- Visit houstontx.gov/solidwaste/schedule.html
- Call 311 and provide your address
- Check your Houston Solid Waste Management collection calendar
Typical Collection Schedule
Trash Collection:
- Weekly - Same day every week (Monday-Saturday)
- Collection begins at 7:00 AM
- Set out bins by 7:00 AM or as early as 6:00 PM the night before
- Use city-provided garbage cart (green lid)
Recycling Collection:
- Weekly - Usually same day as trash collection
- Single-stream recycling (all recyclables mixed together)
- Use city-provided recycling cart (blue lid)
- Set out by 7:00 AM on collection day
Set-Out Rules:
- Place carts with handles facing house, wheels facing street
- Keep 3 feet clearance from cars, poles, other objects
- Don't block sidewalks or streets
Houston Holiday Collection Schedule (2025)
Houston Solid Waste Management suspends collection on the following holidays:
No Collection Days (2025):
- New Year's Day (January 1) - Wednesday
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20) - Monday
- Memorial Day (May 26) - Monday
- Juneteenth Day (June 19) - Thursday
- Independence Day (July 4) - Friday
- Labor Day (September 1) - Monday
- Veterans Day (November 11) - Tuesday
- Thanksgiving Day (November 27) - Thursday
- Day After Thanksgiving (November 28) - Friday
- Christmas Eve (December 24) - Wednesday
- Christmas Day (December 25) - Thursday
What to Do on Holidays:
- Collections scheduled for holidays are delayed by one day
- If your normal day is Monday (holiday), collection moves to Tuesday
- All collections for that week shift by one day
- Check houstontx.gov/solidwaste/holiday.html for updates
Note: Houston observes more holidays than most cities (11 total).
Houston Recycling Program
What Goes in the Blue Cart
Houston uses single-stream recycling - all recyclables go in the blue cart mixed together.
ā ACCEPTED in Blue Cart:
Paper & Cardboard:
- Newspapers, magazines, catalogs
- Office paper, junk mail
- Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- Paperboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes)
- Brown paper bags
Plastic:
- Bottles and containers (#1-7)
- Milk and juice jugs
- Detergent and shampoo bottles
- Food containers (rinsed clean)
- Plastic cups and lids
Metal:
- Aluminum and tin cans
- Empty aerosol cans
- Aluminum foil and trays (clean)
- Metal bottle caps
Glass:
- Bottles and jars (all colors)
- Food and beverage containers
Cartons:
- Milk and juice cartons
- Broth and soup cartons
ā NOT Accepted in Blue Cart
- Plastic bags and film (return to grocery stores)
- Styrofoam/polystyrene
- Food waste or food-contaminated items
- Diapers and hygiene products
- Electronics
- Batteries
- Hazardous materials
- Textiles, clothing, shoes
- Tanglers (hoses, cords, wires, chains)
- Ceramics, mirrors, window glass
Junk Waste (Heavy Trash) Pickup in Houston
How Houston Junk Waste Collection Works
Houston provides FREE junk waste pickup (also called "heavy trash" or "tree waste") for all residents six times per year.
Collection Months (2025):
- February
- April
- June
- August
- October
- December
When to Set Out:
- Place items at curb between 6:00 PM Friday before and 7:00 AM on scheduled collection day
- Check your specific collection week using the map tool
- Each neighborhood has a specific week within the collection month
What Qualifies as Junk Waste:
- Furniture (couches, chairs, tables, mattresses)
- Appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers)
- Carpets and rugs
- Exercise equipment
- Large toys and sporting goods
- Tree branches and limbs (bundled)
- Yard waste (bagged or in cans)
No Limits: Unlike some cities, Houston doesn't have a strict item limit, but amounts must be reasonable for residential waste.
Items NOT Accepted for Junk Waste Pickup
ā Hazardous materials - Paint, chemicals, batteries (use ESC) ā Construction debris - From contractors or major renovations (private dumpster required) ā Tires - Take to tire retailers or depositories ā Automotive parts - Engines, transmissions (scrap metal facilities) ā Electronics - TVs, computers (use depositories or ESC) ā Concrete, bricks, dirt - Excessive amounts (small quantities OK)
Between Junk Waste Months
If you need to dispose of junk waste before your scheduled month, you can:
- Take items to a Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center (see below)
- Hire a private junk removal service
- Rent a roll-off dumpster for large projects
Neighborhood Depositories & Recycling Centers
Houston operates 6 Neighborhood Depositories where residents can drop off junk waste, recyclables, and yard waste year-round.
Hours & Access (Effective March 5, 2025)
Open:
- Wednesday through Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Usage Limits:
- 4 visits per month maximum per household
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing
- Proof of residency required (utility bill, ID with Houston address)
Accepted Materials at Depositories
ā Accepted:
- Junk waste and bulky items
- Tree waste and yard debris
- Recyclables (paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass)
- Small amounts of construction debris (residential only)
- Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors, printers)
- Tires (limited quantities)
ā NOT Accepted:
- Household hazardous waste (paint, chemicals - use ESC)
- Commercial/business waste
- Excessive amounts requiring commercial disposal
Houston Neighborhood Depository Locations (6)
Houston Solid Waste Management maintains depositories across the city. Visit houstontx.gov/solidwaste/depositories.html for:
- Specific locations and addresses
- Directions and maps
- Accepted materials lists
- Holiday closures
Environmental Service Centers (ESC): Hazardous Waste
Houston operates 2 Environmental Service Centers for household hazardous waste disposal.
ESC Locations & Hours
ESC North:
- Address: 5614 Neches Street, Houston, TX 77026
- Hours: Check houstontx.gov/solidwaste/esc.html for current schedule
ESC South:
- Address: 11500 S. Post Oak Road, Houston, TX 77035
- Hours: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Who Can Use:
- Houston residents only (proof of residency required)
- Residential quantities only (no commercial waste)
- FREE service
Accepted Household Hazardous Waste
ā Accepted at ESC:
- Oil-based paints, stains, varnishes
- Paint thinners and solvents
- Household cleaners (drain, oven, etc.)
- Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides
- Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid)
- Car batteries
- Pool and spa chemicals
- Aerosol cans
- Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs
- Mercury thermometers
- Rechargeable batteries
ā NOT Accepted:
- Latex/water-based paint (let dry and put in trash)
- Business or commercial waste
- Explosives, ammunition, fireworks
- Medical waste, sharps
- Radioactive materials
- Compressed gas cylinders (large propane tanks)
Electronics Recycling at ESC
ESCs also accept electronics for proper recycling:
- TVs and computer monitors
- Computers, laptops, tablets
- Printers, scanners, fax machines
- Cell phones and smartphones
- Small appliances
Alternative: Neighborhood depositories also accept electronics.
What NOT to Put in Houston Trash
ā Prohibited Items
Batteries (All Types):
- Drop at Environmental Service Centers or retail locations
Electronics:
- Texas law prohibits e-waste in landfills
- Use neighborhood depositories or ESC
Hazardous Waste:
- Paint, chemicals, solvents - ESC only
Large Items During Off-Months:
- Wait for junk waste month or take to depositories
Construction Debris:
- Contractor waste requires private disposal
Houston Waste Disposal Quick Reference
| Item Type | How to Dispose | Notes | |-----------|---------------|-------| | Regular Trash | Weekly curbside (green cart) | Out by 7 AM on collection day | | Recycling | Weekly (blue cart) | Single-stream, all mixed together | | Junk Waste | Bi-monthly curbside | Feb/Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct/Dec only | | Between Junk Months | Neighborhood depositories | Wed-Sun 10am-7pm, 4 visits/month | | Electronics | Depositories or ESC | TVs, computers, monitors, printers | | Hazardous Waste | Environmental Service Centers | ESC North or ESC South | | Batteries | ESC or retail drop-off | All types accepted at ESC | | Tree Waste | Junk waste months or depositories | Bundled branches, bagged leaves | | Yard Waste | Junk waste months or depositories | Grass, leaves, small branches |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I find my Houston trash and recycling schedule?
Use the Houston SWM Collection Schedules Map or call 311. Enter your address to see your specific collection days for trash, recycling, and junk waste months.
2. When is junk waste (heavy trash) pickup in Houston?
Junk waste is collected 6 times per year during the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Each neighborhood has a specific week within these months. Check the schedule map for your collection week.
3. Can I take junk waste to a depository between collection months?
Yes! Houston has 6 Neighborhood Depositories & Recycling Centers open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-7pm. Residents can visit up to 4 times per month to drop off junk waste, recyclables, electronics, and yard waste.
4. Where can I dispose of household hazardous waste in Houston?
Drop off HHW at one of Houston's 2 Environmental Service Centers: ESC North (5614 Neches St.) or ESC South (11500 S. Post Oak Rd., Tue-Wed 9am-3pm). Services are FREE for Houston residents with proof of residency.
5. What holidays does Houston observe for trash collection?
Houston observes 11 holidays with collection delays: New Year's Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Collections shift by one day when holidays occur.
Official Houston Waste Disposal Resources
šļø Solid Waste Management Home: houstontx.gov/solidwaste
š Collection Schedule Map: Houston SWM Map Tool
āļø 311: Call for schedule, service requests, or questions
š Holiday Schedule: houstontx.gov/solidwaste/holiday.html
šļø Junk Waste Info: houstontx.gov/solidwaste/treewaste.html
ā»ļø Neighborhood Depositories: houstontx.gov/solidwaste/depositories.html
ā£ļø Environmental Service Centers: houstontx.gov/solidwaste/esc.html
š» Electronics Recycling: houstontx.gov/solidwaste/electronics_recycling.html
About This Guide: This Houston resident waste guide is updated for 2025 based on current Solid Waste Management Department policies and City of Houston regulations. Policies may change - always verify current information on official houstontx.gov websites.
Last Updated: January 2025 Sources: Houston Solid Waste Management Department, houstontx.gov official resources, Neighborhood Depositories, Environmental Service Centers.