Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Galveston
Trash Day
Monday through Thursday depending on location: Monday (West End of Island to 7 1/2 Mile Rd), Tuesday (7 1/2 Mile Rd to East Side of 51st St), Wednesday (West Side of 51st St to East Side of 31st St), and Thursday (West Side of 31st St to East End of Island)
Recycling
Curbside pickup is available once per month on Wednesdays exclusively for registered elderly and disabled residents; general drop-off is available 24/7 at the Eco-Center (702 61st St)
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular trash collection day (clear bags, paper bags, or tied bundles up to 3x3x5 ft)
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash collection and sanitation charges are automatically included in your monthly City of Galveston water and sewer utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (ACH Direct Draft), Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
No specific billing discounts listed (special free monthly curbside recycling is offered for qualifying elderly and disabled residents).
City-issued Cart Bin (Trash)
Place out no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before pickup and return it by 10:00 p.m. Extra garbage left outside or overflowing carts will be billed an extra $5.50 per 32-gallon equivalent.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged refuse
Drop-Off Only (14-gallon blue bin for eligible elderly/disabled) Bin (Recycling)
General public must transport recyclables to the 61st Street Eco-Center (open 24/7). Curbside service is strictly limited to registered elderly/disabled residents on Wednesdays.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clear and brown glass
- ✓Aluminum cans
- ✓Plastics (milk jugs, water/soda bottles)
- ✓Unwaxed paper and cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Food-soiled waste
- ✕Plastic garbage bags
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in clear plastic bags, paper lawn bags, or tied in a single bundle (max 5x3x3 ft). Max pile size for bags is 3x3x5 ft to be collected for free.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regularly scheduled trash day.
Placement
Simply set your bulk items curbside or in the alley right next to your trash cart on your regular collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances (with Freon removed and red-tagged)
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large tree limbs and stumps
- ✓ Oversized waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and gasoline
- ✕ Concrete and roofing materials
- ✕ Combustible materials
- ✕ Tires (must go to Eco-Center)
Customers are charged $45 per cubic yard for piles of bulky waste or extra brush exceeding the free allowance. The minimum fee is $22.50 (½ cubic yard).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, routes generally run one day late (e.g., a Thanksgiving Thursday route is collected on Friday). Surprisingly, Christmas and New Year's Day routes are typically not affected and run on schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk items are collected by a separate litter truck on your regular trash day and follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the household carts.
Always verify the current year's holiday calendar on the Sanitation website, as delays fluctuate based on which specific day a holiday falls.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer / Fall
June - NovemberDuring peak hurricane season, securely tie up loose brush and utilize the transfer station to clear heavy debris from your yard before severe storms hit, preventing loose items from becoming dangerous projectiles in high winds.
Spring
March - MaySpring cleaning brings extra garbage, but be careful not to overstuff your cart. Overloaded carts or loose bags left outside the cart will automatically incur a $5.50 fee per 32-gallon equivalent on your next utility bill.
Winter
December - JanuaryHoliday trash schedules in Galveston can be unique. While Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Thanksgiving typically involve one-day route delays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day often do not interrupt the standard collection schedule.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Get Cash in Galveston!
While Galveston itself might not have a dedicated bottle buyback center, don't let those empty cans and bottles go to waste! Texas has a program where you can often get cash back for redeemable beverage containers. Look for redemption centers in nearby mainland towns like Texas City or League City. Also, keep an eye out for local scrap metal yards. They're usually happy to take your old aluminum, copper, and other metals off your hands, sometimes even paying you for them. It's a great way to make a few bucks while keeping those materials out of the landfill.
Giving Your Goods a Second Life on the Island
Before tossing out items that are still in decent shape, think about giving them a new home! On Galveston Island, you might find local churches or community centers that accept donations of clothing, household goods, or even furniture. Another fantastic option is Habitat for Humanity ReStores, which often have locations on or near the island. They sell donated items to fund their building projects, and it's a wonderful way to support the community while decluttering your place. Your unwanted stuff could be exactly what someone else needs!
Keeping Galveston Beautiful: What to Do About Dumped Stuff
If you notice any trash or junk dumped illegally in Galveston, it's important to let the city know. Typically, there's a public works department or a specific hotline residents can call to report illegal dumping. They're usually quite responsive and want to keep our beautiful island clean. While Galveston might not have super frequent large-scale hazardous waste collection days like some bigger cities, check the city's official website or call them directly. They can often provide information on how to safely dispose of items like old paint, electronics, or chemicals, especially if there are special collection events planned or designated drop-off locations.
Drop-off Facilities
Galveston Recycle Center (ECO-Center)
702 61st Street, Galveston, TX 77551
Materials Accepted
Harborside Transfer Station
5515 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX 77554
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Galveston provide curbside recycling?
No, standard curbside recycling is not available to the general public. Residents must drop off their recyclables at the Galveston Recycle Center on 61st Street, which features a 24-hour drop-off zone. However, the city does offer a monthly curbside service exclusively for elderly and disabled residents who apply.
How do I dispose of a mattress or old couch?
You can place heavy bulk items like furniture in the alley or at the curb right next to your regular trash cart on your normal garbage day. The city sends a separate litter truck to collect these items, though a bulk waste fee starting at $22.50 may be applied to your utility bill based on the volume.
Can I use black garbage bags for my yard leaves?
No. The Sanitation Division requires that all yard waste and leaves be placed in either clear plastic bags or paper lawn bags. The combined pile of bags cannot exceed 3 feet wide by 3 feet tall by 5 feet long if you want it collected for free.
What do I need to bring to the Harborside Transfer Station?
To use your one free 1,000-pound monthly drop-off, you must bring a current Galveston water bill and a matching ID. Additionally, for safety reasons, the facility strictly requires all visitors to wear a hard hat and a high-visibility safety vest while unloading.