Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Denton
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 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
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags for Recycling
The number one contaminant in Denton's blue recycling carts is the plastic bag. Never bag your recyclables. Empty your cans, boxes, and bottles directly into the blue cart, as plastic films severely jam the equipment at the recycling facility.
No Plastic for Yard Waste
Because Denton processes its yard debris into Dyno Dirt compost, plastic contamination ruins the batch. You must use brown Kraft paper bags or order a dedicated yard waste cart. Any yard waste placed in plastic bags will be left at the curb.
Schedule Chemical Pickups
Never throw pool chemicals, motor oil, batteries, or fluorescent bulbs into your green or blue carts. These can cause fires in the collection trucks. Instead, take advantage of Denton's free Home Chemical Curbside Collection by calling to schedule an appointment.
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.
About Denton Waste Management
Denton's Standard Cart Collection System
Residents of Denton, Texas, receive comprehensive solid waste services directly through the City's municipal fleet. Upon setting up your utility account, each household is assigned a green cart for standard refuse and a blue cart for single-stream recycling. The City places a heavy emphasis on sustainability, providing weekly collections and robust waste diversion programs. To ensure a smooth pickup, you must place your green and blue carts at the curb with at least four feet of clearance from parked cars, mailboxes, and other objects so the automated mechanical arms can safely lift them.
Kraft Paper Bags and Organic Yard Waste
Denton takes yard waste diversion seriously, using the collected organics to produce its popular local Dyno Dirt compost. To protect this process, the city strictly forbids the use of plastic bags for yard debris. Instead, residents must place grass clippings, leaves, and weeds into compostable Kraft paper bags or a City-issued yard waste cart (available for a one-time $20 purchase). As an added benefit, raw, uncooked vegetative kitchen scraps like apple cores, peels, and loose coffee grounds can also be tossed directly into your yard waste cart.
Scheduling Free Bulky Item Pickups
Unlike some cities that run neighborhood sweeps a few times a year, Denton utilizes a highly convenient on-demand bulky waste system. Every residential account is eligible to schedule the collection of up to two large household items per week at no additional charge. You must submit your request via the online Self-Service portal or call Customer Service by 3:00 p.m. on the business day prior to your collection day. Any additional large items beyond the first two will simply incur a $5 fee per item.
Handling Extra Trash Bags and Overage Fees
If you have a busy week and your green refuse cart overflows, Denton provides an automated solution that doesn't require a special call. You can leave up to five extra 13-gallon kitchen trash bags next to your green cart on collection day. However, a $5 fee per bag will be automatically applied to your next utility bill. Be warned: filling cardboard boxes with household trash is not considered a standard bulky item, and crews will charge a $25 per cubic yard remodeling rate to haul them away.
The Denton Landfill and Home Chemical Collection
For massive home cleanouts or remodeling projects, residents can self-haul materials to the Denton Municipal Landfill located at 1527 S. Mayhill Road. It is important to note that the weigh station is completely cashless, accepting only credit, debit, or tap-to-pay. Furthermore, any unsecured or untarped load will automatically face a $25 penalty. To safely dispose of hazardous materials like old paint, expired batteries, and burnt-out light bulbs, residents should instead schedule a free curbside Home Chemical Collection.
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.