Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Denton
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Thursday, depending on your street address.
Recycling
Weekly on your scheduled trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Weekly on your regular trash pickup day (placed in kraft paper bags, city-issued yard carts, or bundled brush).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (6:00 AM between June 10 and September 30)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and yard waste services are bundled directly into your monthly City of Denton combined utility bill alongside electric and water services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Payment Kiosk, Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Financial assistance programs such as Powerful Connections are available for qualifying low-income households; no specific senior or disability discounts are listed.
Green Cart Bin (Trash)
All regular garbage must be bagged and fit inside the green cart with the lid closed. Leave a four-foot clearance around the cart. Extra bags left outside the cart will automatically trigger a $5 per bag fee on your utility bill.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste (cooked/meat)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged pet waste
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loose (unbagged), empty, clean, and dry inside the blue cart. Do not place recyclables inside plastic grocery bags or trash bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and boxboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper (junk mail, magazines, newspaper)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
- ✓Paper cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags, wrap, or film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Napkins, tissues, or paper towels
- ✕Scrap metal
- ✕Food residue
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in Kraft paper bags or a City-issued yard waste cart. No plastic bags are allowed. Up to 4 cubic yards of unbagged brush (about the size of four washing machines) is also collected free of charge.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Raw, uncooked fruit/vegetable scraps (peels, cores)
- ✓Loose coffee grounds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Up to 2 items for free, by request)
Placement
Place your scheduled items at the curb ensuring a four-foot clearance from carts, cars, and mailboxes. Do not place items under low-hanging tree branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances (non-Freon)
- ✓ Normal household items that won't fit in a cart
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction/remodeling materials (lumber, brick, drywall)
- ✕ Extra trash bags or boxes full of trash
- ✕ Televisions and laptops (accepted for a fee)
- ✕ Appliances with Freon (accepted for a fee)
The first 2 items are free. Additional items are $5 each. Extra 13-gallon trash bags are $5 each. Remodeling debris is $25 per cubic yard.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, Denton typically delays collection by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday routes move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and brush are collected by separate trucks but follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard garbage and recycling.
Always refer to the City of Denton Solid Waste holiday calendar, as some holidays (like Veterans Day) may only affect specific days of the week.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MayDuring peak spring pruning, remember that Denton offers free weekly curbside brush collection for piles up to 4 cubic yards (roughly the size of four washing machines). Any brush piles exceeding this limit will automatically incur additional overage charges on your bill.
Summer
June - AugustTraffic at the Denton Municipal Landfill increases significantly during summer months. If you plan to self-haul debris, anticipate longer wait times. Arrive before 3:45 p.m. to avoid a steep $120 after-hours exiting fee, and ensure your load is fully tarped.
Autumn
October - NovemberAs leaves begin to fall, you do not need to call Customer Service to schedule a leaf pickup. Simply place your leaves in Kraft paper bags or your yard waste cart, and they will be collected on your normal trash day.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash for Your Cans and Bottles in the Denton Area?
While Denton itself doesn't have a dedicated city-run bottle buyback center right now, keep an eye out for local events or community drives that might pop up! For general recycling, remember that many items can be taken to local scrap metal yards. Places like DFW Scrap Metal in Fort Worth, which isn't too far from Denton, often accept various metals and sometimes even other recyclables. It's always a good idea to give them a quick call before you head over to see exactly what they're looking for and their current prices. You might be surprised what small change you can pick up!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a New Home in Denton!
Got items that are still perfectly good but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, consider donating! Denton has some great spots where your unwanted things can help others. Good Samaritan Ministries Thrift Store is a wonderful place to drop off clothes, furniture, and household goods. Also, check out Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Lewisville; they are always looking for donations of building materials, appliances, and home furnishings. Giving your items a second life is a win-win for everyone!
Let's Keep Denton Clean: Tackling Trash Together!
Denton is a beautiful city, and it's up to all of us to keep it that way! If you happen to see illegal dumping happening, the best thing to do is report it. The City of Denton Solid Waste and Recycling department is the go-to for this. You can usually find a reporting hotline or an online form on their official website. They also organize community clean-up events from time to time, so keeping an eye on local news and city announcements is a great way to get involved and make a real difference in our neighborhoods.
Drop-off Facilities
Denton Municipal Landfill & Recycling Drop-Off
1527 S. Mayhill Road, Denton, TX 76208
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress in Denton?
You can have it picked up for free! Denton residents can schedule up to two bulky items for collection each week at no additional charge. You just need to call Customer Service at (940) 349-8700 or use the online portal before 3:00 p.m. on the business day prior to your trash day.
Why did I get charged $5 for an extra trash bag?
If you leave extra trash bags (up to 13 gallons) outside of your green trash cart, the city will collect them, but an automatic fee of $5 per bag is added to your utility bill. You are allowed up to five extra bags per week under this rule.
Can I put my grass clippings in a black garbage bag?
No. Denton requires all yard waste to be placed in brown Kraft paper bags or a City-issued yard waste cart. Any yard waste placed in plastic bags will not be collected because it contaminates the city's Dyno Dirt composting process.
Does the Denton Landfill accept cash?
No, the weigh station at the Denton Municipal Landfill is completely cashless. You must pay using a credit card, debit card, or tap-to-pay method. Additionally, remember to bring a tarp—unsecured loads are fined $25.