Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Allen
Texas residential services run Monday through Friday. Please refer to your neighborhood's specific zoning map for your exact day.
State Mandate
Bag all trash to prevent pests.
95-Gallon Cart Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged before being placed inside the cart. Keep the lid completely closed and ensure no extra bags are left on top of or beside the cart. Place out by 7:00 a.m. with 2 feet of clearance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard household refuse
Blue 95-Gallon Cart Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loose in the cart without bags, with one exception: shredded paper must be placed in a clear plastic bag. Empty and rinse all containers. Carts must be out by 7:00 a.m. with handles facing the home.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, #5, #7 (bottles, tubs, jugs)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard and chipboard
- ✓Paper, newspapers, and cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam (#6 plastics)
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Ceramics and window glass
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Alkaline batteries
- ✕Textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Use biodegradable paper lawn bags (max 15 per week) for loose yard waste. Tie brush into 4-foot by 2-foot bundles using natural cotton/jute string (max 7 bundles per week). Place 2 feet away from trash carts.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Plant materials
- ✓Sticks and brush trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a month on an assigned Saturday
Placement
Place items at your curb by 7:00 a.m. on your assigned Saturday. Households are allowed up to 6 cubic yards per month, and each individual item must weigh less than 150 pounds.
Accepted
- ✓ Broken furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Televisions
- ✓ Lawn mowers (oil/gas removed)
- ✓ Refrigerators and AC units (must have certified refrigerant-free tag)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Car parts
- ✕ Construction and demolition waste
- ✕ Household chemicals
- ✕ Rugs or carpeting larger than 6 feet
- ✕ Tree limbs or trunks
- ✕ Fence materials
The monthly Saturday bulk collection is included in your standard utility fee. For excessively large loads, construction debris, or off-schedule pickups, you must call CWD for a special collection quote.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week, pushing Friday service to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and compost collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your regular trash and recycling carts.
Many local city holidays (such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Easter) do not impact CWD collection schedules. Always check the MyAllen app for official service disruption alerts.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryNatural Christmas trees can be collected on your regular yard waste day. They must be completely stripped of lights and ornaments and cut into 4-foot sections. Flocked or artificial trees are considered bulk trash, not yard waste.
Spring
March - MayDuring heavy spring pruning, if your limbs exceed the weekly limit of 7 small bundles, take advantage of the monthly Wednesday large brush pickup. You must call CWD by noon on Tuesday to schedule the collection of up to 3 cubic yards of loose brush.
Fall
October - NovemberAs the leaves begin to fall rapidly, remember that CWD strictly enforces a maximum of 15 biodegradable paper yard bags per household per week. Yard waste placed in plastic garbage bags will be left at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Cans and Bottles into Cold Cash Around Allen?
While Texas doesn't have a statewide bottle and can redemption program like some other states, you can still find places to turn your recyclables into a little extra money. Check out local scrap metal yards and recycling centers in the wider Collin County area. Sometimes, they'll buy certain metals or even large quantities of aluminum. It's always a good idea to call ahead and see what they're currently purchasing and if there are any minimum weight requirements to make it worth your while. Think of it as a treasure hunt for your unwanted junk!
Giving Your Pre-Loved Stuff a Second Life in Allen
Got items in good shape that you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, consider donating! Allen has some fantastic options. The Assistance League of Greater Collin County often accepts donations for their thrift shop, which helps fund their community programs. You might also find local churches or community centers that run donation drives. For furniture and home goods, keep an eye out for Habitat for Humanity ReStores in nearby towns like McKinney or Plano; they're always looking for usable items to support their mission.
Keeping Allen Beautiful: What to Do About Piles and Piles?
Seeing dumped trash around town is a bummer, right? If you ever spot illegal dumping, the best thing to do is report it to the City of Allen Public Works Department. They have a system for handling these issues and keeping our neighborhoods clean. They also sometimes host community clean-up events, which are a great way to get out, meet your neighbors, and make a real difference. Keep an eye on the city's official website or social media for announcements about when and where these events are happening.
Drop-off Facilities
Custer Road Transfer Station
9901 Custer Road, Plano, TX 75025
Materials Accepted
Allen Chemical Reuse Center
Contact Community Services for location and appointment (Allen, TX)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request an additional trash or recycling cart in Allen?
If your household generates more waste than a single cart can hold, you can order an additional trash or recycling cart by calling Community Waste Disposal (CWD) at 972-392-9300 (option 2). An extra cart fee will be added to your monthly city utility bill.
Do I have to call ahead to schedule my Saturday bulk trash pickup?
No, your standard monthly Saturday bulk item collection is automatic and does not require scheduling. However, if you need the monthly Wednesday loose brush collection (up to 3 cubic yards), you must call CWD by noon the day before to get on the schedule.
What are the specific requirements for disposing of an old refrigerator or freezer?
Before CWD will collect any appliance containing Freon, such as a refrigerator, freezer, or air conditioning unit, it must be completely evacuated of refrigerants by a certified professional. A certification tag must be physically attached to the appliance before it is placed at the curb for your Saturday bulk pickup.
Can I use standard plastic bags for my grass clippings and leaves?
No. The City of Allen strictly requires all loose yard waste, including grass clippings and leaves, to be placed in biodegradable paper lawn bags. Any yard waste placed in plastic bags will be tagged and left at the curb uncollected.