Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Big Spring
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood route (residential accounts are serviced at least once per week via alley dumpsters or 96-gallon curbside rollouts).
Recycling
Not available (the city does not provide curbside recycling service)
Yard Waste
Collected during the Large/Bulk Item & Brush Pickup on the third Wednesday of each month (call or email Public Works by 5:00 PM the Monday prior to schedule)
Set Out Time
7:00 AM
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential sanitation and environmental fees are billed together on your monthly city water and wastewater utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Kiosk, Mail, In-Person
Green Dumpster (Alley) or 96-Gal Cart (Curbside) Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be bagged before being placed in the alley dumpsters or roll-out carts. 96-gallon carts must be rolled out the morning of collection and returned afterward.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Standard municipal solid waste
No Curbside Service Provided Bin (Recycling)
Residents must take recyclables to local drop-off centers such as Howard County Recycling (1305 Scurry St).
Accepted Items
Do NOT Include
- ✕All items (Curbside recycling is not operated by the city)
Yard Waste Bin
Individual tree limbs and brush pieces must not exceed 8 inches in diameter or 10 feet in length. All smaller yard waste like grass or twigs must be bagged.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Bagged twigs
- ✓Bagged shrubbery trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Third Wednesday of every month
Placement
Items must be placed directly on the curb by the designated Wednesday morning. City staff will not retrieve items from backyards, garages, or inside homes.
Accepted
- ✓ Stoves
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Doors
- ✓ Carpets
- ✓ Brush and tree limbs (under 10 ft / 8 in diameter)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Refrigerators
- ✕ Air conditioning units
- ✕ Automotive products and parts
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ TVs and electronics
- ✕ Demolition/construction debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, rocks, lumber, ceramic tile
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and paint
The program is free for residential customers who follow scheduling rules. Customers are responsible for cleaning up any debris left behind after the pickup.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Unlike many cities that delay service by a day, Big Spring often bumps holiday routes forward. For example, if a holiday falls on Thursday, those routes are typically serviced on Wednesday.
Yard Waste Exception
Holiday weeks may disrupt normal bulk collection planning, though bulk collections are locked into the third Wednesday of the month. Confirm with Public Works at 432-264-2501.
There is absolutely no refuse collection on Saturdays or Sundays. If a holiday falls on a weekend, your weekday route will not be affected.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
March to MayWest Texas spring winds can easily blow loose trash out of containers. Ensure all bags are tied securely and dumpster lids remain closed to prevent neighborhood litter.
Summer
June to AugustHeavy summer landscaping creates excess yard waste. Remember that limbs must be strictly under 10 feet long and 8 inches thick to qualify for the Third Wednesday bulk collection.
Winter
November to JanuaryDuring Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks, Big Spring typically advances Thursday collection routes to Wednesday, rather than delaying service. Check the city's holiday schedule to avoid missing your pickup.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash for Your Cans and Scrap in Big Spring!
Did you know you can turn some of your recyclables into cold hard cash right here in the Big Spring area? While Big Spring doesn't have its own specific buyback centers listed, check out scrap yards in nearby Odessa or Midland. These places often pay for aluminum cans, copper, steel, and other metals. It's a great way to clean out your garage and make a little extra money at the same time. Also, keep an eye out for local community events that might have special collection drives for certain materials. Texas doesn't have a statewide bottle/can redemption program like some other states, so your best bet is to connect with local scrap metal businesses for those aluminum cans.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Big Spring
Before you toss something that's still in decent shape, think about giving it a new home! For clothing, household goods, and furniture, consider dropping them off at the Big Spring Salvation Army Family Store. They're usually happy to accept donations that can help support their programs. You might also find local churches or community organizations that accept donations for families in need. It's a fantastic way to declutter your home while supporting our neighbors right here in Big Spring.
Keeping Big Spring Beautiful: Tackling Nasty Dumping
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be. If you see illegal dumping happening in or around Big Spring, the best thing to do is report it. You can contact the City of Big Spring Public Works department to let them know the location and any details you have. They work hard to keep our community clean. While Big Spring doesn't seem to have regular community clean-up events scheduled publicly, keeping an eye on the city's official website or local news can alert you if any pop up. Also, remember that the county may have specific days or locations for hazardous waste disposal, so check with Howard County if you have items like old paint or electronics that can't go in your regular trash.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Big Spring Landfill
4100 East FM 700, Big Spring, TX 79720
Materials Accepted
Howard County Recycling
1305 Scurry St, Big Spring, TX 79720
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of trash container will I use in Big Spring?
If you have alley access, you will share a large dumpster with your neighbors (a 3-yard container for four homes, or a 1.5-yard container for two). If you do not have alley access, the city will provide a 96-gallon roll-out cart for curbside service.
Does the City of Big Spring provide curbside recycling?
No, the City of Big Spring Sanitation Department only handles solid waste disposal. For recycling, residents need to use local private recycling centers or drop-offs, like Howard County Recycling, for electronics and standard recyclables.
How do I schedule a large item pickup?
Large/Bulk Item Pickup occurs on the third Wednesday of every month. You must call Public Works at 432-264-2501 or email [email protected] by 5:00 PM the Monday before to get on the schedule. Unscheduled piles will not be collected.
How are garbage routes affected by holidays in Big Spring?
Rather than pushing routes back a day, the city typically collects trash early. For example, during Thanksgiving and Christmas, Thursday routes are usually collected on Wednesday. There is no collection on the holiday itself or on weekends.