Trash & Recycling in Harris County, TX (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Harris County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Harris County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Unincorporated Harris County does not provide municipal trash pickup. Residents must contract with private waste haulers for collection. Some MUDs and special districts arrange collection for their service areas. No county-wide pickup schedule or rules exist.

Trash Recycling: Pickup Rules

Few Restrictions

Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 365.012 (Illegal Dumping — Penalties)

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 ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Recycling Requirements

Harris County has no mandatory recycling ordinance for unincorporated areas. Recycling availability depends on private waste hauler contracts and MUD services. Texas does not mandate residential recycling at the state level.

Trash Recycling: Recycling Requirements

Few Restrictions

Tex. Health & Safety Code Ch. 361 (Solid Waste Disposal Act)

Sec. 361.0861. SEPARATE RECYCLING OR RECOVERY PERMIT NOT REQUIRED. (a) A permit holder or a municipal solid waste management facility that has or plans to have a recycling, waste separation, energy and material recovery, or gas recovery or transfer facility established in conjunction with the permitted municipal solid waste management facility is not required to obtain for that recycling, waste...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Illegal Dumping

Dumping or accumulating refuse, junk, or rubbish outside a closed receptacle for 10 or more days on unincorporated Harris County property is a public nuisance. The county Health Department issues a 30-day abatement notice before pursuing misdemeanor fines that climb to $1,000 for repeat offenders.

Harris County Illegal Dumping Nuisance Abatement Penalties

Some Restrictions

Harris County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 11, Subchapter 11C, Sec 2

a. Keeping, storing, or accumulating refuse on premises in a neighborhood unless such refuse is entirely contained in a closed receptacle; ... b. Keeping, storing, or accumulating rubbish or any unused, discarded, or abandoned object, including newspapers, vehicles, refrigerators, stoves, furniture, tires, and cans, on premises in a neighborhood for 10 days or more, unless the rubbish or object...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗