Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Harker Heights
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice per week based on your service zone, running either Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday.
Recycling
No curbside pickup; residents can bring accepted recyclable materials to the Harker Heights Recycling Drop Center (1761 FM 2410) Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Yard Waste
No regular curbside yard waste pickup; residents may bring up to two loads of brush per day to the Drop-Off Center at 1761 FM 2410.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash collection fees and the standard monthly recycling drop center fee are bundled directly into your monthly City of Harker Heights municipal utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Bank Draft or Credit Card), Phone, Mail, In-Person (City Hall Drive-Thru / 24-Hour Kiosk), Local First National Bank Branches
96-gallon WM Cart (Typically Green) Bin (Trash)
All trash MUST be bagged. The cart lid must close completely. Place the container on the street with wheels against the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection days and keep it at least 3 feet from parked cars and mailboxes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Lightly used textiles (if not donated)
- ✓Dried paint (cans must be open and paint completely dry)
Drop-off Only (No Curbside Cart) Bin (Recycling)
No curbside service. Residents must transport accepted recyclables to the Drop Center at 1761 FM 2410. Hours are Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Gate closes at 4:50 p.m.).
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Aluminum and scrap metal
- ✓Paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Tires (with or without rims)
- ✓Used cooking oil
Do NOT Include
- ✕Motor oil
- ✕Household trash
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Waste Management does not pick up bulk brush at the curb. Brush must be hauled to the Drop Site at 1761 FM 2410. Loads are limited to 4 cubic yards, max 2 loads per day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Yard debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
No Curbside Pickup (Self-Haul Drop-off Only)
Placement
DO NOT place bulky items or brush at the curb. You must haul them to the Drop Site at 1761 FM 2410 during operating hours and present your Harker Heights water bill and driver's license.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and furniture
- ✓ Brush and tree limbs
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Tires (with or without rims)
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (require special treatment/handling, call 953-5600 for guidelines)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (rock, dirt, concrete, brick)
- ✕ Contractor-generated waste
- ✕ Commercial tree trimming waste
- ✕ Overloaded trailers or dump trucks
The drop site is completely free for Harker Heights residents. If you prefer curbside removal, you must contract a private vendor or call WM to rent a roll-off dumpster at your own expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the rest of the week will be pushed back a day. For example, for a Thursday holiday, Thursday service would be on Friday, and Friday service would be on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
The FM 2410 Drop Site and Recycling Center may experience closures or modified hours on and around city-observed holidays. Always check the city's announcements page before hauling a load.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays to the regular Monday-Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MaySpring yard cleanups generate significant brush. Since there is no curbside pickup, plan your trips to the FM 2410 Drop Site accordingly. Remember that trailers and pickups are welcome, but dump trucks and commercial vehicles are strictly prohibited.
Summer
June - AugustThe intense Texas heat can cause garbage to decompose rapidly. Make sure you are taking advantage of your twice-a-week garbage collection to keep food waste from sitting too long, and ensure all bags are sealed tightly against pests.
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring the winter holidays, keep an eye on the calendar. If Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day falls on a weekday, Waste Management will push your normal collection day back by exactly one day for the remainder of that week.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Aluminum Cans and Bottles? Cash In Near Harker Heights!
While Harker Heights might not have a dedicated buyback center right in town, Bell County residents have options for turning recyclables into cash. Keep an eye out for traveling scrap metal dealers who sometimes set up shop in the area or check out larger scrap yards in nearby Killeen or Temple. For those familiar with Texas's bottle bill, remember to rinse out those eligible beverage containers before heading to a redemption center, if one is available in the region. It's a great way to make a little extra money and keep those materials out of the landfill!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Harker Heights
Before you toss out items that are still in good shape, think about donating them locally! The Harker Heights area has several spots where your contributions can make a real difference. Check out local thrift stores that support community programs, or perhaps a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in a nearby city like Killeen or Temple, which often accept furniture, building materials, and home goods. Even small clothing donations to a local shelter can help someone in need right here in our community.
Let's Keep Harker Heights Beautiful: Tackling Dumping and Finding Events
We all want Harker Heights to look its best, and that means keeping an eye on illegal dumping. If you ever see someone dumping trash illegally, it's best to report it to the city or local authorities. Sometimes, the city or local environmental groups organize community clean-up days. While I couldn't find an upcoming scheduled event for Harker Heights right now, it's worth checking the city's official website or community bulletin boards periodically for announcements about these great opportunities to pitch in and keep our neighborhoods pristine. Staying informed about hazardous waste collection days is also a smart move for responsible disposal of tricky items.
Drop-off Facilities
Harker Heights Recycling & Drop Center
1761 FM 2410, Harker Heights, TX 76548
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Harker Heights offer curbside recycling collection?
No. The City of Harker Heights does not provide curbside recycling bins. Residents must bring their sorted recyclables to the Harker Heights Recycling Drop Center located at 1761 FM 2410.
Why didn't Waste Management pick up the couch I left at the curb?
Waste Management does not provide curbside bulk or brush pickup in Harker Heights. It is against city rules to leave bulk items at the curb. You must self-haul heavy items to the city Drop Site at 1761 FM 2410.
How do I throw away leftover house paint?
You can dispose of small quantities of paint in your regular garbage cart, but it CANNOT be wet. You must open the cans and allow the paint to completely dry into a solid block before throwing it away.
What documents do I need to use the city drop site?
To drop off bulk trash, brush, or use the recycling bins at 1761 FM 2410 for free, you must present a valid driver's license and a current Harker Heights water bill proving your residency.