Trash & Recycling in Katy, TX: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Katy or are thinking about moving there, trash & recycling are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Katy has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of trash & recycling, and some of them might surprise you.

Bin Placement Rules

Katy requires carts placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day, and commercial dumpsters must sit on a screened, all-weather pad except when stored fully inside.

Key details: Curb time: By 7:00 a.m.. Commercial pad: Required, all-weather. Screening: Required commercial. Indoor exemption: Closed building only.

Leaving carts visible from the street between pickups, missing concrete pads or screens at commercial sites, or placing carts blocking sidewalks can lead to code enforcement citations.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

The City of Katy contracts with Texas Pride Disposal for residential trash and recycling collection, with set-out times, container standards, and routes governed by city ordinance.

Key details: Set out by: 7:00 a.m.. Hauler: Texas Pride Disposal. Container limit: 55 gallons unpermitted. Code section: Article 13.02.

Setting out trash late, using non-approved containers, or leaving carts at the curb beyond allowed times can result in citations, missed pickups, and fines under the solid waste ordinance.

Bulk Item Disposal

Katy residents receive weekly bulk pickup of up to three bulky items plus quarterly Super Heavy Trash collection, with strict limits on prohibited materials.

Key details: Weekly bulk limit: 3 items. Quarterly limit: 6 cubic yards. Construction debris: Not accepted. Hauler: Texas Pride Disposal.

Setting out prohibited materials, exceeding the six cubic yard quarterly limit, or placing bulk items on non-collection days can lead to refused pickups and citations under the solid waste ordinance.

Katy is more permissive than most cities when it comes to bulk item disposal. That said, there are still limits.

Recycling Requirements

Katy provides single-stream curbside recycling through Texas Pride Disposal, with accepted materials including paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass, and plastic bottles and jugs.

Key details: Stream type: Single-stream. Bagging: Not allowed. Plastics accepted: Bottles and jugs. Hauler: Texas Pride Disposal.

Placing prohibited materials in the recycling cart, bagging recyclables, or contaminating loads with food or liquids can lead to refused service and stickered carts under city solid waste rules.

Katy is more permissive than most cities when it comes to recycling requirements. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Katy gives residents more room on trash & recycling. 2 of the 4 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Katy's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.