Houston Trash & Heavy Trash — How to Dispose Legally

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Quick rule of thumb

Everyday garbage → city-issued cart, weekly.
Yard waste → kraft-paper bags at the curb, weekly.
Recycling → green cart, biweekly.
Heavy / junk items → wait for your scheduled month OR drop off at a free depository (closest to Riverside: 2240 Central St, 77017).
Paint, chemicals, batteries, electronics → Environmental Service Center only.
Contractor / construction debris → the contractor must haul it, never the City curb.
Never dump on roadsides, alleys, vacant lots, or in storm drains. </aside>

Last reviewed: May 10, 2026. Page owner: Riverside Civic Association. Send corrections to [email protected].

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For trash issues, call the Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD).

File a service request: 311 or 713-837-0311 · [email protected] · HTX 311 app
SWMD SR status / follow-up: 832-394-1453
SWMD email: [email protected]

Use for missed pickups, damaged or missing carts, illegal dumping, heavy trash questions, yard-waste issues, and depository questions. Always file a 311 SR first and save the SR number before escalating.

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1. Where does this go? — quick cheatsheet

Item	Where it goes
Bagged household trash, food waste	Garbage cart — weekly
Pizza box, food-soiled paper	Garbage cart (NOT recycling)
Cardboard, paper, #1–#2 plastics, metal cans, glass	Recycling cart — biweekly OR depository
Plastic bags, styrofoam	Westpark Recycling Center or grocery-store bag bin (NOT curbside)
Grass, leaves, small branches	Yard-waste bag — weekly
Large limbs, logs, stumps	Tree Waste curb in odd months OR depository
Couch, mattress, fence, scrap metal	Junk Waste curb in even months OR depository
Refrigerator / freezer / AC	Junk Waste curb only with certified Freon-removal tag, or depository
Up to 4 tires	Junk Waste curb in even months (separated) OR depository (5 per visit, 10/month)
Paint, motor oil, antifreeze, propane, pool chemicals	Environmental Service Center (ESC South: 11500 S. Post Oak Rd)
Batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronics	Environmental Service Center
Working appliances or building supplies you don’t want	Reuse Warehouse, 9003 N Main
Construction debris (drywall, brick, tile, concrete, dirt)	Depository (small loads only) or contractor / private hauler — never the curb
Roofing shingles, contractor debris	The contractor hauls it. Never City curb.
Dead animal in the street or yard	File a 311 SR — do not put in cart or curb
Found a dumped pile	311 + photos → if active and not dangerous, HPD non-emergency 713-884-3131 → repeat right-of-way dumping, Constable Pct 7 Environmental Unit 713-643-6118

2. Your weekly curbside pickups

Not sure of your service day or recycling week? Look up your address at houstontx.gov/solidwaste or in the HTX app.

🚮 Garbage cart (every week)

Set out: between 6:00 PM the day before and 6:00 AM on your collection day.
Pull back: by 10:00 PM on collection day; store out of public view.
Cart placement: handle facing the house; lid fully closed; at least 3 feet of clearance from mailboxes, parked cars, trees, fences, poles, hoops, and other carts. Blocked or overfilled carts will not be serviced.
Replacement cart? File a 311 SR. The City periodically runs a Can Blitz exchange at SWMD service centers — bring the SR number and the damaged cart.

Goes in: bagged household trash, food waste, small non-hazardous items.

Does NOT go in: paint, chemicals, fuels, electronics, batteries, large furniture, contractor debris, tires, construction debris, dirt, rocks, hazardous materials.

🌿 Yard waste (same day as garbage, every week)

Use compostable kraft-paper yard-waste bags or a separate cart marked for yard waste.
Tree limbs cut to ≤ 4 feet long and tied in bundles ≤ 4 feet, ≤ 50 lb.
Goes in: grass, leaves, small branches, vines, garden trimmings.
Does NOT go in: plastic bags, dirt, rocks, large limbs, treated/painted lumber.