Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Canyon Lake
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.
Varies by Hauler (Typically Blue, Black, or Green 95-gallon cart) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely bagged, and the cart lid must be completely closed. Carts should be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day, maintaining a 3-foot clearance from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Small, non-hazardous household items
Drop-off Facility or Hauler-Provided Cart Bin (Recycling)
If you have a curbside recycling subscription, place items loosely in the cart. If utilizing the Comal County Recycling Center, materials must be pre-sorted and dropped in the appropriate facility bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspaper and magazines
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles (often prohibited in curbside, check with hauler)
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, ropes, wires)
- ✕Food-soiled containers
Yard Waste Bin
Private haulers usually require brush to be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and weighing less than 50 lbs. Alternatively, unbundled brush can be taken directly to the Comal County Chipping Center.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs and branches
- ✓Brush and shrubs
- ✓Leaves (if properly bagged/contained)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-Demand (Determined by your specific private hauler contract).
Placement
Once scheduled with your hauler, place approved bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the agreed-upon date. Ensure items are not blocking mailboxes, vehicles, or the roadway.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and large household goods
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Major appliances (must be tagged Freon-free)
- ✓ Bundled brush (max 4 feet long)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, and rock
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Tires and automotive parts
Because trash service is not funded by municipal taxes in Canyon Lake, bulk pickups often incur an additional fee charged directly to your account by your private hauler.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because services are privatized, holiday schedules vary slightly by company. However, the standard rule for Waste Connections and Republic Services is a one-day delay if the holiday falls on a weekday (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
The Comal County Recycling and Chipping Center typically closes for all major county-observed holidays. Always call 830-643-3781 to verify their operating hours before making a trip.
Most private haulers in the area operate on a normal schedule for minor holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. When in doubt, place your cart out on your normal day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Secure Your Loads
If you choose to self-haul your excess household trash or bulky yard debris to a local landfill or the Comal County drop-off center, you must legally secure and cover your load with a heavy tarp. Unsecured loads contribute to roadside litter and can result in severe fines.
Do Not Bag Recyclables
Whether you have a private curbside recycling bin or you are taking materials to the county drop-off center, never place your recyclables inside plastic garbage bags. Plastic bags wrap around the sorting gears at the facility and will cause your items to be thrown in the trash.
Keep Hazardous Waste Out
Private sanitation trucks are not equipped to handle hazardous materials. Never place wet paint, motor oil, pool chemicals, or lithium-ion batteries in your residential trash carts. These items cause truck fires and environmental contamination.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MaySpring is the optimal time for heavy yard clearing before the intense summer heat sets in. Utilize the Comal County Chipping Center to responsibly dispose of dead brush and low-hanging limbs to create a defensible fire space around your property.
Summer
June - AugustSummer often brings strict burn bans to Comal County. It is illegal and highly dangerous to burn household trash or yard debris during these months. Rely strictly on your private hauler for all waste removal.
Winter
December - FebruaryMajor winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day) will typically push your private garbage collection schedule back by one day for the remainder of that week. Check your specific hauler's app or website to confirm.
About Canyon Lake Waste Management
Navigating Private Subscription Services in Canyon Lake
Because Canyon Lake is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in Comal County, it does not operate a municipal sanitation department. Instead, homeowners and property owner associations (POAs) must set up private subscription services for their weekly household garbage collection. Residents typically have the freedom to choose from major regional providers like Republic Services, Waste Connections, or local haulers such as Canyon Disposal Service to meet their specific household needs.
Utilizing the Comal County Recycling Center
While curbside recycling is not universally included in all private garbage contracts around Canyon Lake, environmentally conscious residents have a reliable alternative. Comal County operates a robust Recycling and Chipping Center located on Resource Drive in nearby New Braunfels. This facility allows residents to drop off flattened cardboard, clean plastics, paper, and metal cans, helping to divert significant waste from the local landfills.
Wildfire Prevention and Brush Disposal
The Texas Hill Country is highly susceptible to dry conditions and seasonal wildfires. Consequently, Comal County frequently enacts strict burn bans. Rather than burning dry brush and yard debris—which poses a massive safety risk to the community—residents are strongly encouraged to utilize the county's Chipping Center or schedule a specialized bulk pickup with their private hauler to safely dispose of highly flammable vegetation.
Protecting Local Septic Systems (OSSF)
A vast majority of homes around Canyon Lake rely on On-Site Sewage Facilities (septic systems) rather than a centralized sewer line. The Comal County Environmental Health department stresses the importance of keeping solid waste out of your plumbing. Items like flushable wipes, grease, feminine products, and harsh household chemicals must always go into your private trash cart, as they will severely damage the leach field and lead to expensive septic failures.
On-Demand Bulk Trash and Appliance Removal
Since there are no city-wide 'bulk weeks' in Canyon Lake, disposing of old furniture, mattresses, or appliances requires proactive planning. You must contact your specific waste hauler (e.g., Republic Services or Waste Connections) to schedule an on-demand bulk pickup, which may incur an extra fee depending on your contract. For major lakeside home renovations, renting a temporary roll-off dumpster is the most efficient and permitted disposal method.
Drop-off Facilities
Comal County Recycling & Chipping Center
281 Resource Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78132
Materials Accepted
Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) Landfill & Transfer Stations
Call (800) 375-8375 for the nearest accessible public drop-off location
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Is trash pickup included in my property taxes or water bill in Canyon Lake?
No. Canyon Lake is an unincorporated area within Comal County, meaning there is no municipal garbage service. Residents must independently set up and pay for a subscription with a private waste hauler like Republic Services, Waste Connections, or Canyon Disposal.
Where can I drop off extra cardboard or recyclables?
Comal County residents can drop off flattened cardboard, plastics, and metals at the Comal County Recycling & Chipping Center located at 281 Resource Drive in New Braunfels.
How do I throw away an old couch or mattress?
You cannot simply leave bulky items at the curb expecting them to be picked up. You must call your specific private waste hauler to schedule an on-demand bulk pickup. Be aware that an additional fee may apply depending on your contract terms.
Can I burn my trash or yard brush instead of paying for disposal?
Burning household trash is highly discouraged and often illegal, as it releases toxic chemicals. Due to the high risk of wildfires in the area, Comal County frequently issues strict burn bans. You should take brush to the county Chipping Center instead of burning it.