Heavy Trash Collection (Junk & Tree Waste)
Heavy trash is collected every other month for eligible addresses that receive City curbside service. Residences that receive curbside collection are allowed six (6) heavy trash curbside collections per calendar year.
This service helps maintain clean neighborhoods, reduces illegal dumping, and provides a convenient option for disposing of large household items and yard debris.
ELIGIBILITY
- Service is limited to occupied residential units receiving City of Houston services.
- Collection services are not available to multi‑residential structures with more than eight (8) units.
COLLECTION SCHEDULE
- Assigned day: Each residence is assigned a collection day. Use the City’s online tools to look up your schedule.
- Search your address using the service lookup tool or the HTX App
- Heavy Trash: Collected every other month (up to six curbside collections per calendar year for eligible addresses)
General Guidelines
- Set‑out window: Place heavy trash at the curb between 6:00 p.m. the Friday before and 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
- Placement location: Set items just behind the curb line in front of your home. Do not place items in the street or on sidewalks.
- Keep accessible: Do not stack items under wires, signs, or mailboxes; do not place on top of meters, hydrants, or other utilities; do not block pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
- HHW & electronics: Do not set out household hazardous waste (chemicals, fuels, wet paint) or electronic scrap for heavy trash. Take these items to an Environmental Service Center (ESC).
- Drop‑off option: If you need to dispose of materials between heavy trash months or over the curbside limits, use a Residential Drop‑Off locations (proof‑of‑address required).
Tree Waste Accepted
- Clean wood materials such as tree limbs, branches, and stumps.
- Tree limbs and shrubbery — individual pieces not exceeding 8 inches in diameter or 10 feet in length.
NOTE: Bagged grass clippings and leaves are collected under the yard waste program, not heavy trash.
Junk Waste Accepted
- Household furniture (e.g., couches, tables, dressers)
- Carpet (secure/bundle)
- Mattresses and box springs
- Toilets
- Bicycles and toys
- Appliances: stoves, washers, dryers, water heaters
- Refrigerators/freezers only with a certified technician’s tag showing refrigerant has been removed.
RESTRICTIONS
- Volume limit: Maximum 8 cubic yards per set‑out (about the size of a minivan).
- Building material: Up to 4 cubic yards of resident‑generated building material may be collected (excludes shingles, brick, plaster, and concrete).
- Contractor debris: Not collected. Material generated by contractors (tree removal, construction, roofing, remodeling, etc.) must be removed by the contractor.
- Mixed piles: If authorized and unauthorized items are mixed, the entire pile may be refused.

Residents may place up to four (4) passenger tires at the curb for tire collection. Crews will separate tires from the rest of the pile, and it may take up to one week for tires to be retrieved after the main collection.
Not Accepted
- Household garbage (bagged everyday trash — use your weekly garbage service).
- Electronics
- Paint and chemicals / Household hazardous waste (HHW)
- Dirt, sod, soil (not collected by heavy trash).
- Roofing materials or shingles
- Appliances containing gas, chemicals, or coolant (unless the refrigerant is removed and tagged by a certified technician).
- Construction or demolition debris (contractor‑generated; not collected).
Find Your Schedule
Find your schedule, set notifications and learn how to properly dispose of waste.SWMD Links
SWMD Recycling Facilities
Contact SWMD
611 Walker Street, 12th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Houston, TX 77002
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