Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Amarillo
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)
Trash must be bagged and fit entirely inside the cart with the lid closed. Place at the curb with 5 feet of clearance from parked cars, mailboxes, and trees. Do not place within 12 feet of low-hanging limbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken household items
Drop-Off Bins (Locations Vary) Bin (Recycling)
Amarillo provides municipal recycling via drop-off locations only. Cardboard must be flattened. Do not leave items outside the bins if they are full.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard (at library locations)
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans (at Central Drop-Off)
- ✓Used motor oil and filters (at Central Drop-Off)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household garbage
Yard Waste Bin
Large limbs should be scheduled for a free curbside bulk pickup or hauled directly to one of the City's two Brush Sites. Small amounts of bagged grass can be placed in your regular trash cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush and tree limbs
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Tree trunks
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-Demand (Within 24-72 hours of request)
Placement
Place items at the curb (not in the alley) prior to the scheduled date. Ensure there is no overhead obstruction (like wires or branches) and do not park vehicles in front of the pile.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Tree limbs and brush
- ✓ Hot tubs and water heaters
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires (additional fee applies)
- ✕ Sheetrock, cabinets, and doors (additional fee applies)
- ✕ Commercial waste
- ✕ Items parked behind vehicles or under low trees
Standard bulky items and yard waste are free. Remodeling debris (carpet, trim, toilets, insulation) and tires will incur an extra charge which is communicated during scheduling.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Amarillo observes a wide variety of holidays. When city administrative offices close for a holiday, residential solid waste collection routes are typically delayed. Adjustments are posted locally prior to each holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
The two Brush Sites are closed on all observed city holidays.
For precise holiday route shifts, residents should refer to the Solid Waste Department's announcements on the city website.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Heavy and Hazardous Materials Out of Carts
Amarillo's automated trucks use a mechanical arm to lift your 95-gallon cart. Placing excessively heavy items like concrete, hot ashes, coals, or passenger tires inside the cart can damage the machinery, pose a fire hazard, and will result in a skipped pickup.
Break Down Cardboard for Drop-Offs
When utilizing the cardboard recycling bins stationed at Amarillo branch libraries, you must flatten all boxes completely. Tossing unflattened boxes fills the bins up prematurely and prevents your neighbors from recycling their materials.
Separate Construction Debris
While bulky item pickup is free for household furniture, the City of Amarillo charges a fee for construction and demolition debris like sheetrock, insulation, toilets, and carpet. Keep these separate from standard bulk piles to avoid unexpected charges or delays.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MayThe Texas Panhandle is infamous for severe spring winds. Always bag your household garbage before placing it in the 95-gallon cart and ensure the lid is firmly closed to prevent litter from blowing across your neighborhood during high-wind advisories.
Winter
December - FebruaryOccasional snow and ice storms in Amarillo can cause delays in the twice-weekly collection schedule. In the event of inclement weather, check the city website or social media channels for real-time route adjustments and delayed pickup days.
Autumn
October - NovemberFall cleanup generates heavy yard debris. Instead of filling up your trash cart, utilize the free Brush Sites on Broadway or South Eastern to dispose of your leaves and branches. These materials are recycled into wood chips and compost.
About Amarillo Waste Management
Twice-Weekly Curbside Cart Collection in Amarillo
The City of Amarillo recently modernized its residential solid waste program by transitioning from manual alley garbage collection to an automated Curbside Cart system. Residents are provided with durable 95-gallon rolling carts equipped with attached lids. The municipal trucks service these carts twice a week. To ensure automated trucks can safely lift the carts, residents must place them near the curb with the handle facing the house and the lid arrows pointing toward the street, leaving at least five feet of clearance on all sides.
Navigating Amarillo's Drop-Off Recycling System
Currently, the City of Amarillo does not offer municipal curbside recycling. Instead, the city maintains several free drop-off locations to encourage sustainability in the Texas Panhandle. Cardboard recycling bins, managed by KB Recycling, are conveniently stationed at Medical Center Park and various branch libraries (Downtown, Southwest, East, and North). For tin, aluminum, and used motor oil, residents can utilize the Central Recycling Drop Off Center on SE 27th & Hayes. Private companies are also available for subscription-based curbside recycling.
Free On-Demand Bulky Item Pick-Up
Getting rid of large furniture and old appliances is easy and completely free for Amarillo residents. The city's Solid Waste Department offers an on-demand Bulky Item Pick-Up service. Residents simply need to call 806-378-6813 or fill out the Curbside Collection Request form on the city website. Once scheduled, crews typically arrive within 24 to 72 hours. Note that standard items like tree limbs and mattresses are free, while construction and demolition debris (like sheetrock and cabinets) will incur additional fees.
Neighborhood Roll-Off Containers for Excess Trash
In a unique approach to managing community waste, Amarillo stations large open-top roll-off containers at key locations across the city, including local branch libraries and parks. These dumpsters are roughly the size of three regular bins and are exclusively for residential use. They are perfect for disposing of excess household trash and bulky items that simply will not fit in your standard 95-gallon curbside cart.
Dedicated Brush Sites for Organic Waste
To divert organic material from the Amarillo Landfill, the city operates two free Brush Sites located at 3401 Broadway and 3718 S Eastern. These facilities process tree limbs, trunks, grass, and leaves into mulch and compost. They operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. Residents must bring a current utility bill or ID to access the site free of charge.
Drop-off Facilities
Amarillo Landfill
16250 Bezner Dr, Amarillo, TX 79124
Materials Accepted
Broadway Brush Site
3401 Broadway (West of Ross Rogers Golf Course), Amarillo, TX
Materials Accepted
South Eastern Brush Site
3718 S Eastern (Two blocks south of SE 34th), Amarillo, TX
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Amarillo offer curbside recycling?
The City of Amarillo does not provide municipal curbside recycling. Instead, the city offers several free drop-off locations for cardboard, tin, aluminum, and used oil. If you prefer curbside service, you can hire a private subscription-based company like Good Earth Recycling or KB Recycling.
How do I throw away large furniture in Amarillo?
Amarillo provides a free on-demand bulky item pickup service. You can request a pickup by calling 806-378-6813 or filling out the Curbside Collection Request form online. Place the items at the curb, and crews will typically collect them within 24 to 72 hours.
Where can I drop off extra trash if my cart is full?
The city places large, open-top roll-off containers at multiple locations, including several branch libraries and parks (like the Downtown Library and San Jacinto Park). These dumpsters are completely free and designated exclusively for residential excess trash.
What happens if my trash isn't picked up due to weather?
In the event of severe winter weather or icy roads, the Solid Waste Department may delay collection routes. Trucks will resume pickup and make adjustments as soon as conditions are safe. You can check the city's website or call 806-378-6813 to report a missed service once regular routes resume.