Resident Guide
Houston Trash & Heavy Trash
How to dispose of trash, yard waste, heavy items, and hazardous materials legally in Houston.
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.
- 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.
For trash issues, call Solid Waste: 311 or 713-837-0311 / swdworks@houstontx.gov. SR status: 832-394-1453.
Where does this go?
| 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, chemicals, batteries, electronics | Environmental Service Center only |
| Construction debris (drywall, brick, tile) | Depository (small loads) or contractor/private hauler — never the curb |
| Found a dumped pile | 311 + photos; if active, HPD 713-884-3131; repeat dumping, Constable Pct 7 713-643-6118 |
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.
- Clearance: at least 3 feet from mailboxes, cars, trees, fences, and other carts.
- Goes in: bagged household trash, food waste, small non-hazardous items.
- Does NOT go in: paint, chemicals, electronics, batteries, large furniture, contractor debris.
Yard Waste (same day, every week)
- Use compostable kraft-paper bags or a separate cart marked for yard waste.
- Tree limbs cut to 4 feet long, bundles under 50 lb.
- Goes in: grass, leaves, small branches, vines, garden trimmings.
- Does NOT go in: plastic bags, dirt, rocks, treated/painted lumber.
- Collection runs roughly April through early December.
Recycling Cart (every other week)
- Same set-out times and 3-foot clearance rules as garbage.
- Yes: flattened cardboard, paper, plastic bottles and jugs (#1 and #2), metal cans, glass.
- No: plastic bags, styrofoam, food-soiled paper, electronics, batteries, clothing.
- Find your week (A or B) at houstontx.gov/solidwaste.
Heavy Trash — Every Other Month
Status note (May 2026): SWMD announced a planned move to on-demand heavy trash via 311. That rollout has been delayed. Until on-demand goes live, the every-other-month rules below are still in effect. Always check houstontx.gov/solidwaste or call 311 for the current month's status.
Tree Waste — Odd Months
January, March, May, July, September, November
Tree limbs, branches, stumps, and shrubbery within size limits.
Junk Waste — Even Months
February, April, June, August, October, December
Couches, tables, carpet, mattresses, scrap metal, appliances, up to 4 tires (separated).
Set-Out Rules
- Window: between 6:00 PM the Friday before and 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
- Placement: behind the curb line, accessible to the truck.
- Volume limit: maximum 8 cubic yards per set-out.
- Do not block: streets, sidewalks, meters, hydrants, mailboxes, wires, signs.
- Contractor debris: not collected — the contractor must haul it lawfully.
Off-schedule heavy trash becomes illegal dumping. A couch on the curb in a tree-waste month, or set out weeks before your scheduled day, will not be collected — and once it sits, it counts as illegal dumping. Use a depository instead if you can't wait.
Free Drop-Off — Neighborhood Depositories
Closest to Riverside Terrace: Southeast Depository — 2240 Central Street, Houston, TX 77017.
Roughly 10 minutes from most of the neighborhood.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Closed Monday, Sunday, and city holidays. Arrive at least 30 minutes before close.
Eligibility: City of Houston residents only. Up to 4 visits per household per month.
Bring proof of residency: current Texas-issued ID plus a current City of Houston utility bill or lease agreement matching the ID.
| Area | Address |
|---|---|
| North | 9003 N Main, Houston, TX 77022 |
| Northwest | 14400 Sommermeyer, Houston, TX 77041 |
| Northeast | 5565 Kirkpatrick, Houston, TX 77028 |
| Southeast (closest to Riverside) | 2240 Central Street, Houston, TX 77017 |
| South | 5100 Sunbeam, Houston, TX 77033 |
| Southwest | 10785 SW Freeway, Houston, TX 77074 |
Depositories WILL take
- Recyclables (aluminum, cardboard, glass, plastics #1-#5 and #7)
- Bulk items (mattresses, furniture, appliances with Freon tag)
- Tree waste in compostable bags, limbs within size limits
- Up to 5 passenger tires per visit, 10/month
- Small resident loads up to 4 cubic yards
Depositories will NOT take
- Household garbage and food waste (use weekly cart)
- Hazardous materials (use Environmental Service Center)
- Heavy/inert materials in volume (rocks, dirt, concrete)
- Commercial loads (contractor vehicles, dump trailers)
- Dead animals (file a 311 SR)
Hazardous Waste & Electronics
For anything that would poison soil, air, or water: paint, motor oil, gasoline, antifreeze, pesticides, pool chemicals, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronics, propane tanks.
ESC North
5614 Neches St., Houston, TX 77026
Second Thursday of each month, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
For Property Owners Hiring a Contractor
If a contractor creates the debris, the contractor must remove it lawfully. The City's heavy trash rules do not cover contractor-generated material.
Put this in every contract:
- Contractor must haul away all debris generated by the work.
- Disposal must be at a lawful landfill, transfer station, or permitted facility.
- Contractor must provide disposal receipts on request.
- No dumping in City right-of-way, vacant lot, alley, or curb.
- Final payment conditioned on a clean site and disposal proof.
Official Sources
- Solid Waste Management Department
- Garbage rules
- Heavy Trash (Tree / Junk Waste) rules
- Neighborhood Depositories
- Recycling Centers
- Environmental Service Centers
- Houston 311
Community Contacts
Full directory of emergency numbers, city services, utilities, and elected officials.
View contacts311 vs 911 — When and How to Report
Know when to call 911 vs 311, and how to file effective service requests.
Read the guideLast reviewed May 10, 2026. Send corrections to riversidecivic@gmail.com.