Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Brownsville
Trash Day
Trash is collected once a week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on your designated pickup day (assigned to either Week A or Week B).
Yard Waste
Brush and bulky yard waste are collected once per month according to a rotating 4-sector quadrant schedule.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and curbside recycling charges are billed monthly on your Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drive-Thru, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Utility bill assistance programs are available for qualifying low-income and crisis-impacted households through partner agencies like Community Action Corporation of South Texas.
Blue/Black Cart Bin (Trash)
Place the cart at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Ensure the lid is fully closed. Bags placed on top of or next to the cart will not be picked up by automated trucks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small bagged yard waste (leaves/grass)
Red Cart Bin (Recycling)
Service is every other week. Recyclables must be loose, not bagged. Keep the red cart 3 feet away from your trash cart and vehicles with wheels facing the home.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, junk mail, and books
- ✓Flattened cardboard boxes and cartons
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 (bottles and jugs)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Small bagged leaves must go in the regular trash cart. Large brush and bagged grass/leaves for bulk collection must be kept in a separate pile from household bulky items and placed at the curb only during your assigned zone week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings (must be bagged)
- ✓Leaves (must be bagged)
- ✓Shrubs
- ✓Tree limbs (must not exceed 8 feet in length)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled zone weeks throughout the year
Placement
Place items at the curb (not in the street) at least 6 feet away from parked cars, gas meters, overhanging trees, and overhead wires. Keep brush and bulk in separate piles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (chairs, sofas, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and stoves
- ✓ Water heaters
- ✓ Tree limbs (under 8 feet) and bagged grass/leaves
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction material (sheet rock, concrete, asphalt)
- ✕ Roof shingles and corrugated metal
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous materials and batteries
- ✕ Items with Freon (unless decaled)
To arrange a special pickup outside of your scheduled zone week, you must contact the City Call Center at (956) 546-HELP to request service and inquire about any out-of-cycle fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
For both Republic Services and Redfish Recycling, if a major holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and the remainder of the week are typically delayed by one day (e.g., Thursday collections move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Brush and bulky item zone schedules may be temporarily paused or shifted during holiday weeks; always verify your specific zone dates on the City of Brownsville website.
Billing and inquiries are handled by the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB), but service delays are managed directly by Republic Services and Redfish Recycling.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring Gulf Coast tropical storms or hurricanes, normal collection routes may be suspended. Secure all trash and recycling carts inside a garage or shed so high winds do not turn them into dangerous projectiles.
Winter Holidays
December - JanuaryThe only holiday officially guaranteed to suspend Redfish Recycling service is Christmas Day, which shifts routes by one day. Republic Services typically shifts routes by one day for major holidays like Thanksgiving and New Year's Day as well.
Spring
March - MayHeavy spring pruning generates large amounts of brush. Remember that tree limbs must be cut to less than 8 feet in length, and you must wait for your zone's scheduled brush collection week to place them at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Scrap Metal into Cash in Brownsville!
Got some old metal lying around that you're looking to ditch? Instead of just tossing it, consider a local scrap yard. While specific buyback centers with detailed listings aren't always public, many towns in Texas have independent scrap metal yards. A quick search for "scrap metal buyers Brownsville" will likely bring up options like the ones often found near industrial areas. These places will often pay you by the pound for items like aluminum, steel, and copper. It's a neat way to declutter and make a little extra cash while keeping those materials out of the landfill. Always give them a call before heading over to check their current accepted materials and hours!
Giving Your Unwanted Treasures a New Home in Brownsville
Before you toss perfectly good items, think about donating them! In the Brownsville area, organizations like the Salvation Army often accept furniture, clothing, and household goods. Another fantastic option is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which typically sells donated home improvement items, furniture, and appliances. These donations not only help keep usable items out of the trash but also support local causes and provide affordable goods for your neighbors. Check their websites or give them a call to see what they're currently accepting and their donation drop-off times. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Keeping Brownsville Beautiful: Tackling Illegal Dumping Together
We all want a clean and beautiful Brownsville. If you spot illegal dumping – that's when folks leave trash or old furniture in public spaces where it doesn't belong – it's important to report it. While specific city-run hazardous waste collection events might pop up throughout the year, keeping an eye on the City of Brownsville's official website or social media pages is your best bet for announcements. For reporting illegal dumping, most cities have a dedicated hotline or an online form. In Texas, the Keep Texas Beautiful initiative also offers resources, and your local city government is usually the first point of contact for getting these issues addressed. Let's work together to keep our community clean!
Drop-off Facilities
Redfish Recycling Materials Recovery Facility
5250 Coffee Port Road, Brownsville, TX 78521
Materials Accepted
RDA Technologies (E-Waste Drop-off)
468 Regal Rd., Unit 124, Brownsville, TX 78521
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my recycling and trash in Brownsville in 2026?
Under the new 2026 program, Republic Services is contracted to collect your standard household garbage and bulk waste, while Redfish Recycling is exclusively responsible for servicing the new 96-gallon red recycling carts every other week.
Why didn't Republic Services pick up the trash bags I left next to my cart?
Brownsville operates under an automated collection system. All household garbage—including small bags of leaves or grass—must fit entirely inside your designated trash cart with the lid completely closed. Drivers will not exit the truck to collect extra bags placed on the ground or on top of the cart.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator in Brownsville?
You can place refrigerators and A/C units out during your scheduled bulky item week; however, the Freon must first be removed by a certified technician. An official decal verifying the Freon removal must be affixed to the appliance, otherwise, the collection crews will leave it at the curb.
Where do I take my electronics and old TVs?
Electronic waste like TVs, computers, and cell phones are not accepted in standard trash, recycling, or bulk collections. Redfish Recycling regularly partners with RDA Technologies to host free e-waste drop-off events at their facility. You can also take electronics directly to RDA Technologies on Regal Road.