Houston, TX Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Earliest set-out
- 6:00 p.m. day before pickup
- Collection starts
- 7:00 a.m. on scheduled day
- Standard frequency
- One pickup per week
- Placement spot
- Curbline, reachable by side-loader
- Missed pickup
- City not obligated to return
Summary
Houston bans setting garbage or trash at the curb before 6:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled pickup, and collection begins at 7:00 a.m. on collection day itself.
It shall be unlawful to place or to allow to remain any materials at the curbline for basic garbage collection service by the division prior to 6:00 p.m. of the day preceding a day designated by the chief solid waste officer for basic garbage collection service at that location. Basic garbage collection service shall commence at 7:00 a.m. on the day designated by the chief solid waste officer.
Full Breakdown
The Solid Waste Management Department runs basic garbage collection on a weekly schedule it sets and publishes for each area. Materials must go out at the curbline, prepared under the chapter's container rules, in a spot reachable by the city's automated side-loader trucks. It's unlawful to place items curbside before 6:00 p.m. the night before your pickup day, and equally unlawful to leave them out after collectors have already passed, the division has no duty to circle back for late-set-out trash.
Violations & Fines
Placing trash curbside before 6:00 p.m. the prior evening, or leaving it out after collection, is a Code violation; trained Solid Waste, Health Department, and police personnel may issue citations under Sec. 39-95.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash out in Houston?
What if I put my bin out and collectors already passed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Houston to another location·View the Texas trash & recycling overview
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Pickup Rules & Schedules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle pickup rules & schedules.