Trash and Recycling in Houston: The Full Picture

Houston picks up trash and recycling from nearly 350,000 households every week — one of the biggest programs in the country. This guide helps you sort what goes where, find your pickup day, schedule bulk item removal, and safely dispose of hazardous materials.

The City of Houston runs a weekly curbside program with two carts: a green one for regular trash and a blue one for recyclables. The program also covers bulk item pickup for large pieces and hazardous waste drop-off for things that cannot go in either cart. The guide also explains what happens to your recycling after the truck hauls it away.

Use this guide to check which materials belong in your green trash cart versus your blue recycling cart. Look up your specific pickup day so your carts are out on time. If you have a large item — like old furniture or an appliance — learn how to schedule a bulk pickup instead of leaving it on the curb without a plan. For paints, batteries, chemicals, or other hazardous materials, find the nearest drop-off site so those items stay out of the landfill and out of the water supply.

No fixed date

Citywide

This guide connects to broader topics like reducing household waste, understanding municipal services in Houston, and finding local resources for items that need special handling.

Putting the wrong items in the wrong cart can contaminate an entire recycling load or cause missed pickups. Knowing the rules saves you hassle and helps keep Houston cleaner for everyone.