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What Day Is Trash Pickup in Houston, TX?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for Houston

  • Trash day: Wednesdays, collected by Houston Solid Waste Management
  • Recycling: biweekly on Wednesdays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: scheduled rotation — free, no limit

Trash pickup in Houston is weekly on Wednesdays. Houston Solid Waste Management collects trash, recycling (biweekly on Wednesdays), and yard waste (weekly). Bins out by 6:00 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Houston Solid Waste Management

Municipal service

Contact

311

Official website

Trash Pickup

Wednesdays (weekly)

Set out by 6:00 AM

Recycling Pickup

Wednesdays (biweekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Wednesdays

Recycling Collection

Every other week

Wednesdays

Yard Waste

weekly

Mondays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with Houston Solid Waste Management for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

Houston accepts 14 materials for curbside recycling. No plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items.

Accepted

  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines & catalogs
  • Office paper & mail
  • Glass bottles & jars
  • Aluminum cans

NOT Accepted

  • Plastic bags & film
  • Styrofoam (EPS)
  • Paper coffee cups
  • Shredded paper
  • Batteries (household alkaline)
  • Electronics (e-waste)
Recycling rules for Houston

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Scheduled rotation

Free Pickups Per Year

Unlimited (free)

Free — monthly scheduled pickup, 8 items per collection

Bulk pickup details for Houston

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in Houston by one day. Next: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026).

New Year's DayJanuary 1, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 19, 2026
Presidents' DayFebruary 16, 2026
Memorial DayMay 25, 2026
JuneteenthJune 19, 2026
Holiday schedule for Houston

Composting in Houston

Available

Houston offers curbside composting for organic waste. Check your hauler for green bin availability.

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash in Houston.13 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in Houston

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in Houston?
Trash pickup in Houston, TX is weekly on Wednesdays. Set out your bins by 6:00 AM. Houston Solid Waste Management handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected biweekly on Wednesdays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in Houston?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In Houston, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in Houston?
To schedule bulk pickup in Houston, it is collected on a scheduled rotation. Free — monthly scheduled pickup, 8 items per collection Maximum 8 items per pickup.
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Houston?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in Houston. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Houston Solid Waste Management for your specific route. Most federal holidays delay pickup by one day for the rest of the week.
What goes in the recycling bin in Houston?
Houston accepts 14 types of materials for curbside recycling, including cardboard, paper, glass bottles (check locally), aluminum and steel cans, and plastic #1, #2, and #5 containers. Do NOT put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items in recycling. Rinse all containers before placing them in the bin.
Does Houston have composting?
Yes, Houston offers composting. Drop-off composting is available at designated locations.
What do I do if they missed my trash pickup in Houston?
If your trash was missed in Houston, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:00 AM. Then call Houston Solid Waste Management at 311 (or your hauler's direct line) to report the miss. Most cities require you to report within 24 hours. Keep your bins at the curb until the makeup collection, which is typically within 1-2 business days.
Where do I take hazardous waste in Houston?
Houston has approximately 12 household hazardous waste drop-off locations. Items like paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash. Auto parts stores accept motor oil for free. Best Buy and Staples accept electronics. For everything else, use your city's HHW collection events or permanent facility.

Related Pages

Recycling Guide

What goes in the recycling bin in Houston

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

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Pickup schedules and rules are based on published municipal data. Schedules vary by neighborhood and route. Always confirm with Houston Solid Waste Management for your specific address. This page is for informational purposes only.