Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Garland
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 trash inside the green cart must be bagged to prevent windblown litter during the automated dumping process. The lid must be completely closed. Extra bags placed on the ground will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken household items
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected bi-weekly based on a Blue/Yellow zone map. Keep recyclables loose, clean, and dry. Do not place items in plastic garbage bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Paper, newspaper, and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Plastic bags and air pillows
- ✕Holiday lights and shiny wrapping paper
- ✕Glittery cards and ribbons
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass clippings must be bagged. Tree limbs and unbagged brush must be placed in a separate, distinct pile at least four feet away from other bulky goods and carts at the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged leaves and grass
- ✓Tree trunks and limbs (4 to 7 feet in length)
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (on your regular trash day)
Placement
Place items at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before pickup (except tree limbs, which can be placed anytime). Do not place under power lines or low branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Bagged grass and leaves
- ✓ Tree limbs (4-7 feet long)
- ✓ Fencing (cut to manageable lengths, under 40 lbs, no concrete)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Roofing materials
- ✕ Masonry, asphalt, concrete, and rocks
- ✕ Tires and dirt
- ✕ Pallets
- ✕ Paint, propane tanks, and household chemicals
Curbside collection is free. Items weighing over 40 lbs (like heavy boxed debris) will not be collected manually. Self-hauling to the Transfer Station requires a tarp or a $20 fee applies.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Garland typically does not disrupt trash and recycling collection for many holidays, such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, and MLK Jr. Day. For major holidays where the landfill closes (like Thanksgiving or Christmas), service may shift one day later.
Yard Waste Exception
Brush and bulky goods follow the exact same holiday schedule as your standard green garbage cart.
Always check the City of Garland website for specific holiday announcements. When self-hauling on a holiday, note that the Transfer Station and Landfill may have altered hours or be closed.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MaySpring storms often bring down tree limbs. Remember that tree limbs are the only bulky item allowed to be placed at the front curb any day of the week. Ensure branches are kept between 4 and 7 feet in length for easy collection.
Summer
June - AugustSummer home renovations generate excess debris. Garland permits remodeling debris pickup for residents who performed the work themselves, but this specific collection is limited to four times per calendar year.
Year-Round
January - DecemberFollowing heavy rain events, wet materials (like mattresses or saturated boxes) may become too heavy for crews to lift (exceeding 40 lbs). The city may leave these items behind with a tag, requiring you to let them dry out before calling for a re-collection.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Scrap? Get Paid in Garland!
Hey Garland neighbors! While our regular recycling is great, did you know you can actually make a little cash on certain items? For metals like aluminum cans, copper, or even old appliances, a local scrap yard is your best bet. Places like RCM Recycling in Garland often buy these materials. It’s a win-win: you clear out clutter and put a few dollars in your pocket. Always give them a call first to see what they're buying and if they have any weight requirements!
Give Your Unwanted Stuff a New Life in Garland
Before you toss that couch or those still-good clothes, think about donating! Garland has some fantastic local spots that can really use your gently used items. The Salvation Army Family Store on N Garland Ave is a popular choice for clothing and household goods. For furniture and building materials, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Plano is always looking for donations that help fund their home-building projects right here in our community. It’s a wonderful way to help out a neighbor!
Keeping Our Garland Streets Clean: Beyond the Bin
We all want Garland to look its best! If you ever spot illegal dumping – think old mattresses or bags of trash left where they shouldn't be – the City of Garland has a system for that. You can usually report it through the city’s website or by calling their sanitation department. They often have specific procedures for dealing with these situations and can help get it cleaned up quickly. Also, keep an eye out for community clean-up events; they pop up throughout the year and are a great way to pitch in!
Drop-off Facilities
City of Garland Transfer Station & Residential Recycling Center
1426 Commerce St, Garland, TX 75040
Materials Accepted
C.M. Hinton Jr. Regional Landfill
3175 Elm Grove Road, Rowlett, TX 75089
Materials Accepted
Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center
11234 Plano Road, Dallas, TX 75243
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't the city pick up my bulky waste or brush pile?
Garland sanitation crews may leave a tag and skip your pile for several reasons: your brush was mixed with bulky furniture (they must be 4 feet apart), individual boxes/items weighed over 40 pounds, the items were placed under low-hanging wires, or the materials were wet from rain and became too heavy to lift.
Do I really need to use a tarp when driving to the Garland Transfer Station?
Yes. Per City of Garland Code of Ordinances, any vehicle arriving at a city-managed disposal facility without a suitably secured cover (tarp) placed over the load will be assessed an automatic $20 surcharge. This prevents dangerous roadway litter.
How do I throw away an old wooden fence in Garland?
Garland will collect old fencing at the curb, provided you follow strict guidelines. You must cut the fencing into manageable sections that weigh no more than 40 pounds each. You must also remove all concrete from the fence posts before setting them out. Hinges and nails can remain.
Is trash collected on holidays like the 4th of July or Memorial Day?
Yes, typically. The City of Garland does not disrupt trash, recycling, or bulk collection for most federal holidays, including Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Collections only shift for a few major holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, when the landfill is closed.