San Antonio Trash & Recycling Guide 2025: Collection Schedule, Brush Pickup & HHW Center
San Antonio's Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) provides waste collection services to approximately 360,000+ households across the city. This comprehensive guide covers everything San Antonio residents need to know about trash and recycling schedules, brush and bulky item pickup, the Environmental Recycling Center, household hazardous waste drop-off events, and more.
Last Updated: January 26, 2025
Finding Your San Antonio Trash & Recycling Schedule
San Antonio provides weekly trash collection, weekly recycling collection, and rotating brush and bulky item pickup for all residential customers.
How to Find Your Collection Day
1. My Collection Day Tool Visit the SWMD website and enter your address:
2. 311 Customer Service
- Call 3-1-1 (from within San Antonio)
- Call 210-207-6000 (from outside San Antonio)
- Available 7 days a week
3. 311SA Mobile App Download the 311SA app (iOS/Android) to:
- Find your collection schedule
- Request services
- Report missed collections
- Access self-service portal
Collection Services Overview
Garbage (Trash) Collection:
- Once per week (same day each week)
- Use city-provided garbage cart (tote)
- Set out by 7:00 AM on collection day
- Collection typically occurs 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Recycling Collection:
- Once per week (same day as garbage, different truck)
- Use city-provided blue recycling cart
- Single-stream recycling
- May be collected at different time than garbage
Brush & Bulky Items:
- Twice per year per route (rotating schedule)
- Check My Collection Day tool for your specific dates
- Set out one week before scheduled collection week
- Free service for residential customers
Organics Collection (where available):
- Green carts for yard waste and food scraps
- Check if your area participates
Brush & Bulky Item Pickup
San Antonio provides FREE brush and bulky item collection twice per year for each route. Unlike some cities, San Antonio uses a rotating schedule rather than on-demand appointments.
How the Brush & Bulky Pickup Works
Frequency: Each address receives 2 collection weeks per year (approximately every 6 months).
Schedule: Dates vary by route. Use the "My Collection Day" tool to find your specific weeks.
Set-Out Window: Place items curbside up to one week before your scheduled collection week begins.
What Qualifies as Brush & Bulky Items
✅ Brush (Yard Waste):
- Tree branches and limbs (max 4 feet long, 4 inches diameter)
- Leaves and grass clippings (bagged)
- Plant trimmings and hedge clippings
- 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, max 4 feet long)
❌ NOT Accepted:
- Construction/remodeling debris
- Hazardous materials
- Electronics (take to Environmental Recycling Center)
- Tires (take to tire retailers)
- Dirt, rocks, concrete
- Liquids
Brush & Bulky Set-Out Rules
Preparation:
- Brush: Bundle branches with twine or string (max 4 feet long, 50 lbs per bundle)
- Bagged leaves: Use biodegradable paper bags or reusable containers
- Furniture: Remove upholstery from items with Freon (refrigerators, AC units)
Placement:
- Place at curb, not on sidewalk
- Keep separate from regular garbage and recycling
- Don't block traffic or sidewalks
⚠️ Between Collection Weeks: If you need bulky item removal between scheduled weeks, you must hire a private hauler or rent a dumpster.
Environmental Recycling Center (HHW Drop-Off)
San Antonio operates the Environmental Recycling Center at 7030 Culebra Road, where residents can drop off household hazardous waste and certain recyclables year-round.
Location & Hours
📍 Address: 7030 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238
🕒 Hours:
- Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (noon)
- Closed: Sunday, Monday, and holidays
Eligibility & Requirements
Who Can Use It:
- FREE for San Antonio residents who pay the CPS Environmental Fee
What You MUST Bring:
- ✅ Recent CPS Energy bill (showing Environmental Fee)
- ✅ Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- ❌ Without both items, you will be turned away
Note: This is for residential use only. Businesses, churches, and schools cannot use this service.
What the Environmental Recycling Center Accepts
✅ Household Hazardous Waste:
- Oil-based paints, stains, varnishes
- Paint thinners, solvents, turpentine
- Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid)
- Household cleaners and chemicals
- Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides
- Pool chemicals
- Batteries (all types: alkaline, lithium, rechargeable, car)
- Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs
- Mercury-containing items (thermometers, thermostats)
- Aerosol cans
- Fire extinguishers
- Propane tanks
✅ Electronics (E-Waste):
- TVs and computer monitors
- Computers, laptops, tablets
- Printers, scanners, fax machines
- Cell phones and smartphones
- Gaming consoles
- Keyboards, mice, cables
❌ NOT Accepted:
- Latex/water-based paint (dry it out and trash it)
- Medical sharps/needles (use pharmacy drop boxes)
- Commercial/business waste
- Explosives or ammunition
- Radioactive materials
Material Limits
Paint & Liquids: Limited to five 5-gallon containers OR twenty-five 1-gallon containers
Total HHW Weight: Limited to 220 pounds per visit
No Limit: Electronics recycling has no weight or quantity limit.
Monthly HHW Drop-Off Events
In addition to the permanent Environmental Recycling Center, San Antonio hosts monthly household hazardous waste drop-off events at various locations throughout the city.
2025 Monthly Event Schedule
Events occur on the first Saturday of each month. During certain months, events run on first Friday AND first Saturday.
Typical Event Hours:
- Friday events: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday events: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (noon)
📍 Locations: Vary by month. Check www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/SWMD/HHW/Monthly for current month's location.
Requirements: Same as Environmental Recycling Center - must bring CPS bill and photo ID.
What's Accepted: Same materials as Environmental Recycling Center.
Recycling Guidelines
San Antonio uses single-stream recycling, meaning all recyclables go in the same blue cart. The city operates the South Texas Recycling Center.
What to Recycle
Paper & Cardboard:
- ✅ Newspapers, magazines, catalogs
- ✅ Office paper, junk mail, phone books
- ✅ Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- ✅ Paperboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes)
- ❌ Soiled paper or cardboard (pizza boxes with grease)
- ❌ Shredded paper
- ❌ Waxed cardboard
Plastic:
- ✅ Plastic bottles and jugs (#1, #2)
- ✅ Plastic containers (#1-7)
- ✅ Yogurt cups, take-out containers
- ❌ Plastic bags (return to grocery stores)
- ❌ Styrofoam
- ❌ Plastic film or wrap
Glass:
- ✅ Bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✅ Food and beverage containers
- ❌ Window glass, mirrors
- ❌ Ceramics, dishes, drinking glasses
- ❌ Light bulbs (take to Environmental Recycling Center)
Metal:
- ✅ Aluminum cans and foil
- ✅ Steel/tin cans
- ✅ Empty aerosol cans
- ❌ Scrap metal (large items)
Recycling Rules
🧼 RINSE & CLEAN: Empty and rinse all containers to prevent contamination.
📦 FLATTEN BOXES: Break down cardboard boxes to save space.
🚫 NO BAGS: Do not bag recyclables. Place items loose in blue cart.
🔍 WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT: If unsure, put it in trash to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.
SA Recycles Program
SA Recycles is the city's comprehensive recycling education and outreach program. Visit sarecycles.org for:
- Recycling guides and printable resources
- Drop-off center locations
- Special collection events
- What can/cannot be recycled
- Composting information
Holiday Collection Schedule
San Antonio observes several holidays with adjusted collection schedules. When a holiday falls on a weekday, collection shifts one day later for the rest of the week.
How Holiday Delays Work
If a holiday falls on Monday:
- Monday collection → moves to Tuesday
- Tuesday collection → moves to Wednesday
- Wednesday collection → moves to Thursday
- Thursday collection → moves to Friday
- Friday collection → moves to Saturday
If a holiday falls on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday: Same pattern - all subsequent days shift one day later.
2025 Observed Holidays
Holidays that affect collection:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (First Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Check the official holiday schedule: 311.sanantonio.gov/kb/docs/private/graffiti-and-waste-collection/holiday-waste-collection-schedule
What NOT to Put in Trash or Recycling
⚠️ Prohibited Items (Use proper disposal methods):
❌ Household Hazardous Waste → Take to Environmental Recycling Center
- Paint, chemicals, pesticides, automotive fluids, batteries
❌ Electronics → Take to Environmental Recycling Center
- TVs, computers, monitors, printers, phones
❌ Medical Sharps → Use pharmacy drop boxes
- Needles, syringes, lancets
❌ Medications → Use pharmacy take-back programs or DEA events
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
❌ Tires → Return to tire retailers
- Most tire shops accept old tires for recycling or fee
❌ Construction Debris → Hire private hauler or rent dumpster
- Large quantities from remodeling (not accepted in brush/bulky pickup)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What do I do if my trash or recycling wasn't picked up?
Report a missed collection:
- Online: Use 311SA self-service portal at 311.sanantonio.gov
- Phone: Call 3-1-1 (or 210-207-6000)
- App: Use 311SA mobile app to report issue
SWMD will investigate and collect within 1-2 business days if the complaint is valid.
2. Can I get an extra trash or recycling cart?
Yes, residents can request additional carts:
- Call 3-1-1 (or 210-207-6000)
- Additional carts may have monthly fee
- Specify size needed
3. How do I dispose of latex (water-based) paint?
Latex paint is NOT hazardous and should NOT be taken to the Environmental Recycling Center.
Disposal method:
- Dry it out: Remove lid and let paint air-dry completely, or mix with cat litter/sawdust
- Trash it: Once completely dry and solid, place the can in your regular garbage cart
Only oil-based paints should go to the Environmental Recycling Center.
4. What is the CPS Environmental Fee and why do I need my bill?
The CPS Environmental Fee is a monthly fee charged on CPS Energy bills that funds environmental programs including the free HHW disposal services.
Why you need your bill: To prove you're a San Antonio resident who pays this fee, giving you free access to the Environmental Recycling Center.
Without the bill: You'll be turned away at the gate.
5. What if I missed my brush & bulky pickup week?
If you miss your scheduled brush & bulky pickup week, you have limited options:
- Wait for your next scheduled collection (approximately 6 months)
- Hire a private junk removal service for immediate pickup
- Rent a dumpster for large quantities
- Donate or sell usable items
The city does NOT offer on-demand bulky pickup outside of scheduled weeks.
Quick Disposal Reference Table
| Item | Regular Trash | Recycling | Brush/Bulky Pickup | Environmental Recycling Center | Other | |------|---------------|-----------|--------------------|---------------------------------|-------| | Household trash | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Cardboard boxes | ❌ | ✅ (flattened) | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Plastic bottles | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Glass bottles/jars | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Aluminum/tin cans | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Furniture | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (2x/year) | ❌ | Private hauler | | Appliances | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (2x/year) | ❌ | Private hauler | | Yard waste/brush | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (2x/year) | ❌ | Bag for weekly if small | | Electronics | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (free, Tue-Sat) | - | | Oil-based paint | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (5-gal limit) | Monthly events | | Latex paint (dried) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Dry first | | Batteries (all types) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (free) | Monthly events | | Sharps/needles | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Pharmacy drop boxes | | Medications | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Pharmacy take-back | | Plastic bags | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Grocery store bins | | Tires | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Tire retailers |
Official San Antonio Resources
🏛️ Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD):
- Website: www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/SWMD
- General info: www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/SWMD/Garbage
📅 My Collection Day Lookup:
☎️ 311 Customer Service:
- Call: 3-1-1 (within San Antonio)
- Call: 210-207-6000 (outside San Antonio)
- Available: 7 days a week
📱 311SA Mobile App:
- iOS: Download from Apple App Store
- Android: Download from Google Play Store
♻️ SA Recycles:
- Website: sarecycles.org
- Recycling education and resources
☣️ Environmental Recycling Center:
- Address: 7030 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238
- Hours: Tue-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-noon
- HHW info: www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/SWMD/HHW
🗓️ Monthly HHW Events:
📋 Holiday Schedule:
📖 Collection Services Guide:
About This Guide: This San Antonio resident waste guide is updated for 2025 based on current Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) policies and City of San Antonio regulations. The CPS Environmental Fee on your CPS Energy bill funds free HHW disposal services. Policies may change - always verify current information on official sa.gov websites or by calling 3-1-1.
Last Updated: January 2025 Sources: San Antonio Solid Waste Management Department, sa.gov official resources, Environmental Recycling Center, SA Recycles, 311 San Antonio.