Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Harlingen
Trash Day
Household trash is collected twice per week based on designated neighborhood zones (typically Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday)
Recycling
No curbside pickup; drop-off recycling containers are available Monday through Saturday at the City Recycling Center (1006 S. Commerce)
Yard Waste
Brush and yard debris are collected once per month on a rotating 4-to-5 week zone schedule
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and brush collection fees are bundled with your monthly water and wastewater statement managed by the Harlingen Waterworks System (HWWS).
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Bank Draft), Phone, Mail, Drive-Through, 24/7 Drop Box, Kiosk
Resident's own standard container or bags Bin (Trash)
Collected twice a week. Trash must be placed in approved personal containers or securely bagged and positioned at the designated pickup location (curb or alley) without blocking roadways.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged refuse
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Drop-off Only (No standard curbside bins) Bin (Recycling)
Harlingen does not have a municipal curbside recycling program. Residents must take accepted, unbagged recyclables to the Harlingen Recycling Center at 1006 S. Commerce St.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (brown/gray inside)
- ✓Paper (newsprint, magazines, office paper)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastics #1 & #2 (water bottles, milk jugs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Collected every 4 to 5 weeks. Must be placed on the property line (front curb or alley side) no earlier than one week before scheduled pickup. Do not place in streets, on sidewalks, or over storm drains.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Brush trimmings
- ✓Shrub clippings
- ✓Garden vegetable matter
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every 4 to 5 weeks alongside the brush collection schedule.
Placement
Place on your property line (edge of road or on your side of the alley) no sooner than one week prior to pickup. Never place bulk items in the street or on vacant lots.
Accepted
- ✓ Large debris
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Household bulk items
- ✓ Tree limbs
- ✓ Brush trimmings
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Contractor-generated waste
- ✕ Dead animals
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Junked motor vehicles
Standard curbside bulk and brush collection is included. For excessive cleanouts, residents can rent open-top containers from the city for an additional fee, or dispose of the first 500 lbs free monthly at the landfill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Sanitation Division does not collect residential trash on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day.
Yard Waste Exception
The rotating 4-to-5 week brush collection may experience slight delays during major holiday weeks, so ensure piles are placed securely on your property line without blocking rights-of-way.
Only commercial restaurant establishments receive service on all holidays. All other residential and standard commercial pickups are suspended on the three major observed holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June - NovemberDuring the intense Gulf Coast hurricane season, promptly clear your property of excess brush and utilize the city's 500-lb free landfill perk to eliminate heavy debris that could become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
Winter
November - JanuaryFollowing Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, expect a slight delay in your standard twice-weekly garbage service if your day falls on the observed holiday. Hold your extra holiday trash securely on your property to prevent neighborhood litter.
Spring
March - MaySpring landscaping generates massive amounts of yard debris. Remember that private landscape contractors are legally required to haul away their own brush and clippings; the city's brush collection crews will not service contractor-generated waste.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Texas Treasures into Cash: Where to Score for Recyclables in the Valley
Hey Harlingen neighbors! Ever wonder if those aluminum cans and plastic bottles could put a little cash back in your pocket? While Harlingen itself might not have a dedicated city-run buyback center, don't let that stop you. The Rio Grande Valley has options! Keep an eye out for local scrap yards that often accept metals and even some types of plastics. Sometimes, community events or even private collectors will set up temporary collection points for specific recyclables. For those glass bottles and aluminum cans, look into state recycling programs that might offer redemption values. A quick online search for "Rio Grande Valley scrap metal prices" or "Texas bottle redemption" could point you to current opportunities to make a few bucks while being good to the planet.
Give Your Gently Used Goods a Second Life in Harlingen
Before you toss that perfectly good couch or those clothes that just don't fit anymore, think about giving them a new home right here in Harlingen! Organizations like the Salvation Army often have donation centers where your items can help support local families. Goodwill is another great option for clothing, housewares, and even some furniture. For DIY enthusiasts or those looking for affordable home improvement projects, Habitat for Humanity ReStores, even if they're a short drive away in neighboring communities, are fantastic places to donate or find building materials and furniture at bargain prices. It's a win-win: you declutter, and someone else gets what they need.
Keeping Harlingen Beautiful: Tackling Dumped Trash Together
Let's be honest, nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be. If you spot illegal dumping happening or find a pile of unwanted items that weren't left out for regular pickup, there are ways to report it in Harlingen. Your best bet is usually to contact the Harlingen Public Works Department or Code Enforcement. They're the ones who can address these issues and help keep our city clean. Many Texas communities also hold regular 'Keep Harlingen Beautiful' type clean-up events. Participating in these is a fantastic way to meet your neighbors and make a tangible difference. Keep an eye on local news or city announcements for upcoming dates to lend a hand!
Drop-off Facilities
Harlingen Transfer Station (Landfill)
4900 E. Harrison Rd, Harlingen, TX 78550
Materials Accepted
City of Harlingen Recycling Center
1006 S. Commerce St, Harlingen, TX 78550
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Harlingen provide curbside recycling bins?
No, the city does not currently operate a standard municipal curbside recycling program. However, environmentally conscious residents can drop off their plastics, cardboard, and metals at the Harlingen Recycling Center on South Commerce Street.
When is my brush and bulky debris going to be picked up?
The Public Works Sanitation Division collects brush and large debris on a rotating schedule, servicing each residential area approximately every 4 to 5 weeks. By city ordinance, you should set your items out no earlier than one week before your neighborhood's designated turn.
Can I take my extra trash directly to the city landfill?
Yes! The City of Harlingen allows residents to dispose of up to 500 pounds of trash and bulk debris for free once a month at the Transfer Station (4900 E. Harrison Rd). You must bring your current Harlingen water bill and a matching driver's license with the correct address.
What should I do if a private contractor cuts down my tree?
By city ordinance, any private contractor hired for landscaping, tree trimming, or construction is strictly responsible for hauling away the resulting waste. The city's brush collection crews will not pick up any contractor-generated debris.