Trash & Recycling in Fort Worth, TX (2026)
4 verified trash & recycling rules for Fort Worth, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Fort Worth Environmental Services provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection. Residents receive a 96-gallon trash cart and a 96-gallon recycling cart. Collection occurs on a set day each week based on your address. Carts must be placed at the curb with lids closed and handles facing your home by 7 AM on collection day. Excess trash that does not fit in the cart can be placed in bags beside the cart. The city does not collect hazardous waste curbside.
Fort Worth Trash Pickup Schedules & Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 365.012
Sec. 365.012. ILLEGAL DUMPING; DISCARDING LIGHTED MATERIALS; CRIMINAL PENALTIES. (a) A person commits an offense if the person disposes or allows or permits the disposal of litter or other solid waste at a place that is not an approved solid waste site, including a place on or within 300 feet of a public highway, on a right-of-way, on other public or private property, or into inland or coast...
Bin Placement Rules
Fort Worth requires trash and recycling carts to be placed at the curb for automated collection with specific placement rules. Carts must be at least 3 feet apart and 3 feet from mailboxes, utility poles, and parked vehicles. Lids must be closed and handles must face the house. Carts should be placed on the curb edge or within 5 feet of the street. After collection, carts must be retrieved and stored out of public view by midnight on collection day.
Fort Worth Trash Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Fort Worth provides scheduled bulk trash collection for large items that do not fit in the standard cart. Bulk collection is available on a scheduled basis — residents can schedule a pickup through the city's 311 system or the myFW app. Accepted items include furniture, appliances (with Freon removed), mattresses, and large household items. Construction debris, tires, and hazardous materials are not accepted for bulk pickup. The city also operates the Environmental Collection Center for drop-off disposal.
Fort Worth Bulk Item Disposal & Pickup
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 365.012(a), (e)
Sec. 365.012. ILLEGAL DUMPING; DISCARDING LIGHTED MATERIALS; CRIMINAL PENALTIES. (a) A person commits an offense if the person disposes or allows or permits the disposal of litter or other solid waste at a place that is not an approved solid waste site, including a place on or within 300 feet of a public highway, on a right-of-way, on other public or private property, or into inland or coastal ...
Recycling Requirements
Fort Worth provides single-stream recycling collection in the blue 96-gallon cart. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers (#1-#7), aluminum and steel cans, and glass bottles and jars. Items must be clean, dry, and loose (not bagged). Contamination with food waste or non-recyclable items causes loads to be sent to landfill. Fort Worth does not mandate recycling participation but provides the service at no additional cost as part of the utility bill.
Fort Worth Mandatory Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsLooking for Tarrant County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Worth city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Tarrant County →