Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Big Spring
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Bagged Garbage Out of Bulk Piles
Bagged household trash is entirely banned from the monthly large item collection. Place all bagged garbage strictly inside your designated alley dumpster or 96-gallon cart.
No Construction or Remodeling Debris
The city will not collect dirt, rocks, concrete, lumber, or ceramic tile during bulk pickups. Homeowners doing DIY projects must rent a private roll-off dumpster or haul these materials to the landfill themselves.
Avoid Illegal Dumping of Hazardous Liquids
Never place paint, petroleum products, or hazardous chemicals into the city dumpsters or bulk piles, as these violate landfill compliance and cause severe environmental damage in Howard County.
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.
About Big Spring Waste Management
Shared Alley Dumpsters vs. Curbside Roll-Out Carts
The City of Big Spring utilizes a unique container system for residential garbage collection. For homes with accessible alleys, the city places shared dumpsters: a 3-yard container serves four residents, or a 1.5-yard container serves two residents. If your residence does not have alley access, the Sanitation Department will furnish a dedicated 96-gallon roll-out cart for curbside pickup.
Mandatory Scheduling for Large & Bulk Items
Big Spring conducts its Large and Bulk Item Pickup program on the third Wednesday of every month. However, this is not an automatic service. Residents are strictly required to call Public Works or email the city by 5:00 PM on the Monday prior to their scheduled pickup day. Items left on the curb without a prior request will be ignored, and the homeowner is responsible for cleaning up any remaining debris.
Absence of City-Sponsored Curbside Recycling
The Big Spring Sanitation Department is solely focused on refuse collection and does not currently offer curbside recycling for residential properties. To recycle cardboard, metals, and plastics, residents must independently utilize local private facilities, such as Howard County Recycling, or take advantage of specific community collection events.
Strict Regulations on Appliances and E-Waste
While the city's monthly bulk collection accepts furniture and scrap metal, they strictly prohibit any appliances containing freon, such as refrigerators and air conditioners. Furthermore, TVs and electronics are entirely banned from curbside bulk pick-up. Residents must take e-waste to designated drop-off centers, like Goodwill West Texas, which safely process old devices.
Understanding the City of Big Spring Landfill
Located at 4100 East FM 700, the Big Spring Landfill serves as the hub for the city's sanitation operations. It is an environmentally compliant disposal site available to Howard County residents. Private collectors bringing waste from outside city limits must hold a specific landfill permit, which includes an annual vehicle fee and mandatory tonnage surcharges.
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.