Plano, TX Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Section 18-6 of the Code of Ordinances governs the residential solid waste container the Environmental Waste Services Division delivers to every household and non-franchisee commercial account at no charge. The cart remains city property and cannot be taken to a new address if you move (subsection (a)); if it's stolen or damaged through no fault of the customer the city replaces it free, but damage or loss caused by the customer's own neglect or misuse triggers a replacement fee (subsection (b)), and any theft or damage must be reported promptly to the division (subsection (c)).

Whether stored or set out for collection, the lid must stay closed at all times to keep water from accumulating inside, and nothing, no bags, boxes or other items, may sit on top of the closed lid where it would interfere with the automated arm servicing the cart (subsection (d)). Waste inside must be bagged in plastic or paper to control odor and keep contents from blowing out during emptying (subsection (e)), and construction debris, hot ashes, oil, corrosive solvents, pool chemicals, car batteries and other hazardous substances are barred from the residential cart (subsection (f)).

A cart loaded past two hundred pounds simply will not be serviced (subsection (g)), and outside city-designated holiday weeks the crew will not collect trash set out loose beside the cart (subsection (h)). Households that consistently overflow one cart must get a second cart from the city, paying a one-time delivery fee plus an added monthly charge (subsection (i)). The customer is responsible for keeping the cart clean (subsection (j)) and may not mark or deface it without the division manager's prior authorization (subsection (k)).