Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for El Paso
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.
Gray Cart Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged and fit entirely inside the gray cart with the lid closed. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Ensure it is 3 feet from other carts and 5 feet from fixed obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged pet waste
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Collected every other week. Recyclables must be empty, rinsed, dry, and loose in the cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 (bottles and jugs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
El Paso does not offer a dedicated curbside organics or yard waste bin. Yard debris must be treated as bulky waste for a fee-based special pickup or dropped off for free at a Citizen Collection Station.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree trunks
- ✓Branches
- ✓Other green waste
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-Demand (Fee-based)
Placement
Place items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup date. Keep them at least 5 feet away from your gray and blue bins, water meters, and parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Furniture and carpet
- ✓ Empty appliances
- ✓ Lumber and pallets
- ✓ Brush and tree branches
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, or concrete
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Automobile parts or chassis
The fee is $35.00 for up to 5 cubic yards, and $7.00 for each additional cubic yard. This charge is billed directly to your El Paso Water Utilities account.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The ESD only suspends collection on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your pickup falls on a Thursday or Friday holiday, your service will move to a make-up day, typically the following Monday.
Yard Waste Exception
Because El Paso has no regular curbside yard waste service, this is not impacted. Note that recycling bins are generally not collected on holiday make-up days.
For all other holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, the ESD runs regular routes. Place your carts out on your normal scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MaySpring in the Chihuahuan Desert brings high winds. During wind advisories, wait until the morning of your collection day (before 6:00 a.m.) to set out your bins to prevent them from tipping over and blowing litter across your neighborhood.
Summer
June - SeptemberScorching El Paso summers can cause your gray trash bin to smell quickly. Ensure all food waste and pet waste are tightly double-bagged, and periodically rinse out your carts with a hose to prevent pest infestations.
Year-Round
January - DecemberIf you are cleaning out the garage, remember that the Citizen Collection Stations host a 'Country Store' where you can drop off gently used items (like toys or furniture) and pick up usable household products (like cleaners or paint) for free.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans into Cold Cash in the Sun City!
Hey El Paso neighbors! Did you know you can get a little something back for those aluminum cans and plastic bottles? While Texas doesn't have a statewide bottle redemption program like some other states, keeping an eye out for local scrap metal yards can be a good idea. Sometimes they'll take certain types of metals and plastics. It's worth a quick search for 'scrap metal El Paso' to see what's around and what they're buying. Every little bit helps, right?
Give Your Pre-Loved Stuff a Second Chance in El Paso
Instead of tossing items that are still good, think about giving them a new home! El Paso has some wonderful places that would love your donations. Goodwill Industries is a fantastic option, and they have multiple locations around the city. Another great spot is the El Pasoans Against Poverty Thrift Store, where your contributions directly support those in need. And if you're looking to support affordable housing, check out the Habitat for Humanity ReStore – they often have furniture, building materials, and home goods that are perfect for reuse.
Let's Keep El Paso Beautiful: Tackling Trash Together
Nobody likes seeing litter marring our beautiful El Paso landscape. If you ever spot illegal dumping, the City of El Paso's Solid Waste Management Department wants to hear about it. They have a system for reporting these issues, which helps them keep our streets and neighborhoods clean. You can often find information on their website or by calling the city. Plus, many local groups and the city itself organize community clean-up events throughout the year. Participating is a great way to meet your neighbors and make a real difference!
Drop-off Facilities
Northeast Citizen Collection Station
4501 Hondo Pass Dr, El Paso, TX 79904
Materials Accepted
Eastside Citizen Collection Station (Confederate Dr)
3510 Confederate Dr, El Paso, TX 79936
Materials Accepted
Greater El Paso Landfill
2600 Darrington Rd, El Paso, TX 79928
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of El Paso accept glass in the blue recycling bins?
No. Glass bottles and jars are strictly prohibited in El Paso's curbside blue recycling bins. Residents who want to recycle glass must take it to one of the five Citizen Collection Stations located throughout the city.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch in El Paso?
You have two options: You can drop it off for free at any Citizen Collection Station (up to 4 visits per month with your water bill and ID), or you can call the ESD at 915-212-6000 to schedule a special curbside pickup. The curbside pickup costs $35 for up to 5 cubic yards and will be added to your water bill.
Why was my gray trash bin skipped?
The most common reasons for a missed pickup are placing the bin out after 6:00 a.m., placing it too close to an obstacle (it needs 5 feet of clearance from cars and 3 feet from other bins), facing it backward, or having a lid that isn't completely closed.
How many times can I visit the Citizen Collection Stations?
Residential households are allowed a maximum of 4 visits per month to the Citizen Collection Stations. You must bring a current El Paso Water Utilities bill and a matching photo ID to enter the facility.