Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fulshear
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 lid or Black can Bin (Trash)
All regular household waste must fit inside the 95-gallon cart. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Do not use personal or unapproved bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper products
Black lid or Green can Bin (Recycling)
Recycling services are included in the mandatory monthly fee. Materials must be placed loosely in the designated cart. A recycling opt-out is available with proper ID documentation, though the city strongly encourages participation.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics (1-7)
- ✓Paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Used pizza boxes
- ✕Coat hangers
- ✕Pyrex pans and window glass
- ✕Paper milk and juice cartons
- ✕Wet or soiled paper
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste and brush that will not fit into the provided carts should be broken down and placed beside the carts for Wednesday pickup. Items that are too large will receive a yellow tag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly alongside regular trash, within size limits
Placement
Items must be placed by the cart before 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Excessively large items will be left at the curb and yellow-tagged by GFL.
Accepted
- ✓ Broken down large items
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Bundled brush
- ✓ Heavy household trash
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Wet paint and solvents
- ✕ Contractor-generated waste
- ✕ Uncut heavy logs
- ✕ Construction debris
Standard broken-down bulky items are included in your monthly bill. If an item receives a yellow tag due to size or weight, special collection pricing will apply upon scheduling with GFL.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on the regular Wednesday collection day, services are typically rescheduled for the Saturday immediately following the holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
Heavy trash, broken-down brush, and yard waste collections will also be delayed to the Saturday makeup day during holiday weeks.
Because Fulshear provides city-wide residential collection exclusively on Wednesdays, holidays falling on other weekdays (like Monday or Thursday) generally do not disrupt the schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Paper Milk or Juice Cartons
Unlike many other municipalities, Fulshear's recycling program strictly prohibits paper milk and juice cartons. Their mixed-material construction cannot be processed at the local sorting facility, so place these directly into your trash cart.
Ditch the Tanglers and Coat Hangers
Wire coat hangers, plastic bags, and holiday lights are considered 'tanglers.' They wrap around the sorting gears at the GFL facility, causing major mechanical delays and hazards for workers. Never put them in your recycling bin.
Glass and Pyrex Differences
While standard glass bottles and jars are perfectly acceptable for recycling, treated glass such as Pyrex baking pans, mirrors, and window panes melt at completely different temperatures and will ruin a viable batch of recyclable glass.
Seasonal Information
Winter Holidays
December - JanuaryIf a major holiday like Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a Wednesday collection day, Fulshear and GFL typically shift the service to the Saturday immediately following the holiday. Always check the City News portal for the finalized alternate schedule.
Summer
August - SeptemberWith late summer hurricane and tropical storm threats in Fort Bend County, residents should secure their lightweight 95-gallon carts indoors or in a garage during high-wind events to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
Spring
March - MayAs residents begin heavy yard work and spring cleaning, remember that any brush or large items placed outside the cart that are too unwieldy will receive a yellow tag. Break down large branches and debris to ensure successful standard Wednesday collection.
About Fulshear Waste Management
Exclusive Partnership with GFL Environmental
Fulshear operates under a strict, exclusive franchise agreement with Green for Life (GFL), formerly known as WCA. This ensures that all residential solid waste and single-stream recycling is managed uniformly across the city limits. Under City Ordinance No. 2023-1409, participation is mandatory, meaning all residential properties must maintain active billing for standard waste collection through the city's Utility Billing Department, regardless of whether the service is utilized.
Streamlined Wednesday Collections
To maximize efficiency and reduce heavy truck traffic in local neighborhoods, the City of Fulshear designates Wednesdays for both household trash and recycling collections. Residents are required to place their GFL-branded 95-gallon carts at the curb before 7:00 a.m. to guarantee pickup. Because GFL utilizes automated side-loading trucks, carts must have appropriate clearance from obstacles such as mailboxes, trees, and parked vehicles.
Cart Policies and RFID Tracking
Fulshear issues specific 95-gallon carts designed for automated service—typically a green lid or black can for solid waste and a black lid or green can for recycling. Unapproved carts or personal bins will not be serviced. Interestingly, every cart is equipped with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag connected to the property's address. Carts must remain at the designated property even if ownership or tenancy changes, ensuring strict inventory control.
Large Item Special Collections via Yellow Tagging
While standard heavy items that are broken down can be placed next to your carts on Wednesdays, exceptionally bulky waste requires a different process. If an item is deemed too large or heavy for the standard route, GFL crews will place a distinct yellow tag on it. This tag serves as a notification that you must contact customer service to arrange a specialized pickup, which may incur additional customized fees depending on the item.
Drop-off Facilities
Fort Bend County Recycling Center
1200 Blume Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for solid waste service if I take my trash to the dump myself?
No, you cannot opt out of the fee. According to Fulshear Ordinance No. 2023-1409, all residential and commercial properties within the city limits are required to pay for the GFL solid waste services whether they actually use them or not. This ensures comprehensive sanitation for the entire city.
What happens if an item is too large for the Wednesday collection?
If you place a bulky item at the curb that is too large or heavy for the standard automated truck, GFL drivers will attach a yellow tag to it. This indicates you need to call customer service to arrange and potentially pay for a specialized collection.
Can I get an extra trash or recycling cart if one isn't enough?
Yes, you can request an additional 95-gallon cart by contacting the Fulshear Utility Billing Department at 281-346-8830. There is a one-time charge of $95.00 for each additional cart requested.
Are my trash and recycling carts tracked by the city?
Yes, every cart issued by GFL in Fulshear features a branded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) number that is directly linked to your property's address. Therefore, if you move, you must leave the carts at the residence for the next occupant.