Trash pickup in Houston, TX

Who collects trash in Houston, how trash day works, and which holidays move pickup. Checked against official city and hauler pages on Oct 15, 2026.

Next holiday to check: Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026Not announcedSee every holiday

At a glance

Who collects
City crews
Haulers
2: City of Houston Solid Waste Management, HOA and civic association haulers
Recycling
Every other week
Holiday schedule
2026 not posted yet, 2027 not posted yet
Last checked
Oct 15, 2026

The City of Houston collects curbside garbage, recycling, yard waste and heavy trash/tree waste for eligible single-family homes inside city limits. Since July 1, 2026 (the FY2026-27 budget), the Solid Waste Management Department has been a division of Houston Public Works, and a new $5/month solid waste fee appears on water bills. Garbage is weekly and recycling is every other week on an A/B calendar; find your day with the City's address lookup or the HTX Collects app. The City announces holiday changes one holiday at a time. In 2026, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day moved Monday routes to Tuesday and Tuesday routes to Wednesday. The Spring Holiday and Juneteenth moved Friday routes to Saturday, and New Year's Day, a Thursday, moved Thursday routes to Friday and Friday routes to Saturday.

Who picks up trash in Houston

City crews.

City of Houston Solid Waste Management (Houston Public Works)

City serviceTrashRecyclingYard wasteBulk
Area
Whole city: eligible single-family homes with City service inside Houston city limits, except Sponsorship Program neighborhoods, apartments and businesses.
Phone
311 (713-837-0311 from outside city limits)

Garbage goes out weekly in 96-gallon City carts, and single-stream recycling every other week in green City carts (A/B calendar). Heavy trash and tree waste are collected every other month, up to 6 times a year, at eligible addresses. FCC Environmental has historically processed the recycling under contract; the City's page says the City itself collects recycling at the curb. In late summer 2025 a private contractor did a temporary, roughly 6-week sweep of the heavy-trash backlog (Houston Chronicle). Holiday notices list Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday routes; Wednesday and Saturday are make-up days.

HOA and civic association haulers (Sponsorship Program)

Private haulerTrash
Area
HOA and civic association areas inside city limits that sign a Sponsorship Agreement. Every eligible home in the area must take part, and the City reimburses the association monthly per unit. The City doesn't publish a list of participating areas or haulers.

Each HOA chooses its own hauler. Services, pickup days and holiday rules depend on each private contract, not the City's holiday schedule. Houston Landing reported in Oct 2024 that the City reimburses $6 per household per month and that about 47,000 households take part.

Not covered

Apartment complexes and businesses use private collection, and heavy trash pickup doesn't cover multi-residential buildings over 8 units. Neighborhoods in the City's Sponsorship Program aren't eligible for City collection: there, an HOA or civic association hires its own private hauler for all homes (about 47,000 households, Houston Landing reported in Oct 2024).

How trash day works in Houston

Each address has an assigned collection day. Look it up with 'Find Your Schedule' on the City's Solid Waste site or in the HTX Collects app, which also sends reminders and delay alerts.

Find a trash day on houstontx.gov

Recycling: every other week. The City's 2026 Bi-Weekly Collection Schedule (its Recycling Calendar) alternates A weeks (shaded yellow) and B weeks. On your recycling week, pickup is on the same weekday as garbage.

Carts out: Garbage: between 6:00 p.m. the day before and 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Recycling: between 6:00 p.m. the day before and 7:00 a.m. Carts off the curb by 10:00 p.m. on collection day. Heavy trash: from 6:00 p.m. the Friday before through 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled day. Source

The City's garbage page gives a 6 a.m. set-out deadline and its recycling page 7 a.m., so carts may be emptied from early morning.

Houston trash pickup holiday schedule

Upcoming holidays in Houston and what each does to pickup. Houston hasn’t announced yet how these holidays change pickup.

The City's holiday page lists its 2026 and 2027 holidays but not how pickup changes. The City announces each change in a news release shortly before the holiday, and hasn't announced any from Veterans Day 2026 on. In 2026, MLK Day (Monday) had no change. Presidents' Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day (Mondays) had no pickup: Monday routes ran Tuesday and Tuesday routes ran Wednesday, with Thursday and Friday unchanged. On the Spring Holiday and Juneteenth (Fridays), Friday routes ran Saturday, and the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 3 had normal pickup. On Thanksgiving and Christmas 2025 and New Year's Day 2026 (all Thursdays), Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Veterans Day 2025 had no change.

2026

  1. Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. Pickup ran as normal on Veterans Day 2025. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  2. Thanksgiving Day, Thu, Nov 26, 2026

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. On Thanksgiving 2025, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  3. Day after Thanksgiving, Fri, Nov 27, 2026

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. In Thanksgiving week 2025, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  4. Christmas Eve, Thu, Dec 24, 2026

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. In 2025, when Christmas fell on a Thursday, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  5. Christmas Day, Fri, Dec 25, 2026

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. In 2025, when Christmas fell on a Thursday, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

2027

  1. New Year's Day, Fri, Jan 1, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. On New Year's Day 2026, a Thursday, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  2. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Mon, Jan 18, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. Pickup ran as normal on MLK Day 2026. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  3. Presidents' Day, Mon, Feb 15, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. On Presidents' Day 2026 there was no pickup: Monday routes ran Tuesday and Tuesday routes ran Wednesday, and Thursday and Friday routes didn't change. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  4. Spring Holiday, Fri, Mar 26, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. On the 2026 Spring Holiday, a Friday, Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  5. Memorial Day, Mon, May 31, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. On Memorial Day 2026 there was no pickup: Monday routes ran Tuesday and Tuesday routes ran Wednesday, and Thursday and Friday routes didn't change. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  6. Juneteenth, Fri, Jun 18, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. On Juneteenth 2026, a Friday, Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  7. Independence Day (observed), Mon, Jul 5, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. In 2026 the holiday was observed on Friday, July 3, and pickup ran as normal. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  8. Labor Day, Mon, Sep 6, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. On Labor Day 2026 there was no pickup: Monday routes ran Tuesday and Tuesday routes ran Wednesday, and Thursday and Friday routes didn't change. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  9. Veterans Day, Thu, Nov 11, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. Pickup ran as normal on Veterans Day 2025. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  10. Thanksgiving Day, Thu, Nov 25, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. On Thanksgiving 2025, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  11. Day after Thanksgiving, Fri, Nov 26, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. In Thanksgiving week 2025, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  12. Christmas Eve, Fri, Dec 24, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. In 2025, when Christmas fell on a Thursday, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov

  13. Christmas Day (observed), Mon, Dec 27, 2027

    Not announced

    All City curbside collection

    Not announced yet. In 2025, when Christmas fell on a Thursday, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

    Source: houstontx.gov
Not announced
The city hasn’t said yet. The note has what’s known, such as last year’s pattern.
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Houston neighborhoods

88 names from City of Houston Super Neighborhoods. Each hauler’s area is listed under Who collects.

  • Willowbrook
  • Greater Greenspoint
  • Carverdale
  • Fairbanks / Northwest Crossing
  • Greater Inwood
  • Acres Home
  • Hidden Valley
  • Westbranch
  • Addicks Park Ten
  • Spring Branch West
  • Langwood
  • Central Northwest (formerly Near Northwest)
  • Independence Heights
  • Lazybrook / Timbergrove
  • Greater Heights
  • Memorial
  • Eldridge / West Oaks
  • Briar Forest
  • Westchase
  • Mid-West (formerly Woodlake/Briarmeadow)
  • Greater Uptown
  • Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial Park
  • Afton Oaks / River Oaks
  • Neartown / Montrose
  • Alief
  • Sharpstown
  • Gulfton
  • University Place
  • Westwood
  • Braeburn
  • Meyerland
  • Braeswood
  • Medical Center
  • Astrodome Area
  • South Main
  • Brays Oaks (formerly Greater Fondren S.W.)
  • Westbury
  • Willow Meadows / Willowbend
  • Fondren Gardens
  • Central Southwest
  • Fort Bend / Houston
  • IAH Airport
  • Kingwood
  • Lake Houston
  • Northside / Northline
  • Eastex - Jensen
  • East Little York / Homestead
  • Trinity / Houston Gardens
  • East Houston
  • Settegast
  • Near Northside
  • Kashmere Gardens
  • El Dorado / Oates Prairie
  • Hunterwood
  • Greater Fifth Ward
  • Denver Harbor / Port Houston
  • Pleasantville
  • Northshore
  • Clinton Park / Tri-Community
  • Fourth Ward
  • Downtown
  • Midtown
  • Second Ward
  • Greater Eastwood
  • Harrisburg / Manchester
  • Museum Park (formerly Binz)
  • Greater Third Ward
  • Greater OST / South Union
  • Gulfgate Riverview / Pine Valley
  • Pecan Park
  • Sunnyside
  • South Park
  • Golfcrest / Bellfort / Reveille
  • Park Place
  • Meadowbrook / Allendale
  • South Acres / Crestmont Park
  • Minnetex
  • Greater Hobby
  • Edgebrook
  • South Belt / Ellington
  • Clear Lake
  • Magnolia Park
  • Macgregor
  • Spring Branch North
  • Spring Branch Central
  • Spring Branch East
  • Greenway / Upper Kirby
  • Lawndale / Wayside

Source: houstontx.gov

Questions about trash pickup in Houston

Who picks up trash in Houston?

The City of Houston collects curbside garbage, recycling, yard waste and heavy trash/tree waste for eligible single-family homes inside city limits. Since July 1, 2026 (the FY2026-27 budget), the Solid Waste Management Department has been a division of Houston Public Works, and a new $5/month solid waste fee appears on water bills. Garbage is weekly and recycling is every other week on an A/B calendar; find your day with the City's address lookup or the HTX Collects app. The City announces holiday changes one holiday at a time. In 2026, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day moved Monday routes to Tuesday and Tuesday routes to Wednesday. The Spring Holiday and Juneteenth moved Friday routes to Saturday, and New Year's Day, a Thursday, moved Thursday routes to Friday and Friday routes to Saturday.

How do I find my trash day in Houston?

Each address has an assigned collection day. Look it up with 'Find Your Schedule' on the City's Solid Waste site or in the HTX Collects app, which also sends reminders and delay alerts.

Is recycling picked up every week in Houston?

No, every other week. The City's 2026 Bi-Weekly Collection Schedule (its Recycling Calendar) alternates A weeks (shaded yellow) and B weeks. On your recycling week, pickup is on the same weekday as garbage.

When do trash carts go out in Houston?

Garbage: between 6:00 p.m. the day before and 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Recycling: between 6:00 p.m. the day before and 7:00 a.m. Carts off the curb by 10:00 p.m. on collection day. Heavy trash: from 6:00 p.m. the Friday before through 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled day.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Houston?

Thanksgiving is Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Not announced yet. On Thanksgiving 2025, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

Is trash picked up on Christmas in Houston?

Christmas is Fri, Dec 25, 2026. Not announced yet. In 2025, when Christmas fell on a Thursday, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in Houston?

New Year’s Day is Fri, Jan 1, 2027. Not announced yet. On New Year's Day 2026, a Thursday, Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. Check the City's Solid Waste news releases closer to the date.

Sources

Official city and hauler pages, checked Oct 15, 2026. News and other sites used for details the official pages don’t give are listed separately. Schedules change, especially around holidays: check the city’s page before you plan routes. Something out of date? Email taylor@bincleanmarketing.com.

Other sources (5)

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