Baytown, TX Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Baytown's curbside recycling program is provided through the city's contract with Republic Services. Each single-family residence receives a 96-gallon recycling cart at no additional cost — the service is included in the monthly utility bill. Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as trash. The program uses single-stream recycling, meaning all accepted materials go in one cart without sorting. Accepted materials include newspaper, magazines, office paper, cardboard (flattened), plastic bottles and containers numbered 1 through 5 and 7, aluminum cans, steel and tin cans, and glass bottles and jars. Items not accepted include plastic bags, styrofoam, food-contaminated containers, electronics, hazardous materials, and yard waste. Recycling carts that are contaminated with non-recyclable materials may be tagged and left uncollected. Repeated contamination may result in service suspension. While Baytown encourages recycling participation, there is no mandatory recycling ordinance with penalties for non-participation. Multi-family properties typically use shared dumpster-based recycling. Contact Republic Services for recycling questions or to report missed collection.