Temple, TX Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Participation
- Voluntary, no extra fee
- Curb hours
- Out 7 a.m., in by 8 p.m.
- Accepted materials
- Paper, cardboard, cans, plastics #1-#7
- Confiscation
- After 3rd contamination violation in 6 months
Summary
Temple's curbside recycling program is voluntary, funded through the standard monthly utility fee, with recycling containers supplied by the City and rules set by the Solid Waste Services Director.
Participation in the City’s curbside recycling program is voluntary. Anyone who chooses to participate agrees to abide by the rules and requirements set by the Director of Solid Waste Services. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in forfeiture of all privileges to participate in the curbside recycling program. A curbside recycling fee is included in the monthly utility fee for residential garbage service. There is no additional fee charged for participation in the residential curbside recycling program.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Reformat).
Full Breakdown
Participation in Temple's curbside recycling program is voluntary: residents who sign up get a green recycling container serviced once a week at no added cost beyond the standard residential garbage utility fee. Containers must be set at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day and pulled in by 8:00 p.m. Acceptable materials include newspaper, mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum/tin/steel cans, and plastics #1-#7, placed loose (not bagged) and rinsed. Contaminating a bin with garbage, glass, Styrofoam, plastic bags, appliances, yard waste, or hazardous waste is a code violation; repeat offenders can have their recycling container confiscated by the City.
Violations & Fines
Contaminating a recycling container with garbage, glass, plastic bags, appliances, or yard waste triggers warnings, then confiscation of the container after a third violation within six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is curbside recycling mandatory in Temple?
What happens if my recycling container has garbage or glass in it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Temple
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Temple to another location·View the Texas trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bell County handle recycling requirements.