Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lancaster
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your assigned neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on your designated regular trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Bulk and brush collection occurs bi-monthly starting on the first full week of the month: odd-numbered months for residents north of Pleasant Run Road, and even-numbered months for residents south of Pleasant Run Road.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and recycling services are serviced by Community Waste Disposal (CWD) and billed directly on your monthly City of Lancaster water bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Bank Draft), Phone, 24/7 Kiosk, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen discounts on water and sewer rates are available for qualifying residents aged 62 and older via an application through the Utility Billing Department.
Grey (95-gallon) Bin (Trash)
ALL trash MUST be placed in disposable bags inside the grey cart. The lid must be completely closed. Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with handles facing the curb and wheels facing the residence.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Bagged food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Small, non-hazardous household items
Blue (95-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the blue cart (do not bag them). Cart must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with at least three feet of clearance from the trash cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and office paper
- ✓Clean plastic bottles, jugs, and containers
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste and greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Ceramics, glass plates, and mirrors
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Brush must be placed with trunks parallel to the street. Individual bundles or items must weigh less than 50 pounds and be no longer than 10 feet. Collected bi-monthly with bulk trash up to 12 cubic yards.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs and brush
- ✓Bagged leaves
- ✓Yard trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every other month during the first full week of the month (North of Pleasant Run Rd = Odd months, South = Even months).
Placement
Place all bulk and brush at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on the Monday of your service week. Ensure items are clear of low-hanging wires, mailboxes, and parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Washing machines, dryers, and water heaters
- ✓ Furniture and large toys
- ✓ Bundled carpet (cut to 4-foot lengths)
- ✓ Bagged leaves and loose brush
- ✓ Fence panels (no larger than 4' x 6')
Not Accepted
- ✕ Single items weighing more than 150 lbs
- ✕ Commercial construction and remodeling debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, motor oil, etc.)
- ✕ Tires, batteries, and propane tanks
- ✕ Loose debris not properly boxed or contained
The bi-monthly 12-cubic-yard pickup is included in your utility bill. Loads exceeding 12 cubic yards will incur additional charges, and residents must call CWD for a free estimate.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on an observed holiday, your services (both trash and recycling) will be delayed and picked up on the following day.
Yard Waste Exception
Bi-monthly bulk and brush collection that coincides with a holiday week will also be delayed. Always have bulk items out by Monday at 7:00 a.m. of your service week regardless of the holiday.
CWD only observes three major holidays. Normal service runs as scheduled on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MayAs spring landscaping begins, remember that your brush collection only happens every other month based on your location relative to Pleasant Run Road. Plan major tree pruning around your designated odd or even month.
Summer
June - AugustTexas summer heat can cause unbagged garbage to smell foul and attract pests quickly. The city's rule requiring all household garbage to be tightly bagged inside the grey cart is especially critical during these sweltering months.
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring the holiday season, break down all shipping and gift boxes to save space in your blue recycling cart. Keep in mind that CWD's collection schedule shifts by one day for the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day holidays.
Local Tips & Community Info
Get Some Cash Back for Your Cans and Bottles Around Lancaster!
While Lancaster itself might not have a dedicated buyback center right in town, don't let those empty soda cans and water bottles go to waste! Texas has a state program for redeeming certain beverage containers. You can often find redemption centers in larger nearby cities like Dallas or Fort Worth. Keep an eye out for places that specifically advertise handling aluminum cans and plastic bottles. It's a great way to make a little extra money while doing good for the environment. Also, if you've got scrap metal lying around – old appliances, busted bike frames, you name it – local Dallas-area scrap yards are always looking for materials. A quick search for "scrap metal recycling Dallas" will give you plenty of options to turn that junk into cash.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Lancaster
Before you toss out items that are still in decent shape, think about donating them! In or very near Lancaster, you can often find places that would love your unwanted furniture, clothing, or household goods. Check out organizations like Goodwill or Salvation Army in nearby Dallas or Cedar Hill. They have donation centers where your items can help others. For building materials or home improvement items, Habitat for Humanity ReStores are fantastic resources. They accept donations of furniture, appliances, and construction materials, and the proceeds help fund their mission. It feels good to declutter and help out your neighbors at the same time!
Keeping Lancaster Beautiful: Tackling Dumped Trash Together
Nobody likes seeing trash piled up where it shouldn't be. If you notice illegal dumping in or around Lancaster, it's important to report it. The City of Lancaster likely has a process for this, so check their official website or give their Public Works department a call. Often, they'll have a hotline or online form for residents to report these issues. For those who want to get hands-on, keep an eye out for community clean-up events. Sometimes local groups or the city organize these to spruce up parks or neighborhoods. Participating in these events is a fantastic way to directly improve your surroundings and meet other like-minded folks in Lancaster.
Drop-off Facilities
CWD Transfer Station
2010 California Crossing Road, Dallas, TX 75220
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my carts out in Lancaster, Texas?
You must place both your grey trash cart and blue recycling cart at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day. Ensure the handles face the curb and the wheels face your house so the automated arm can easily grab them.
When is my bulk trash and brush pickup week?
Bulk collection happens every other month on the first full week of the month. If you live north of Pleasant Run Road, your pickup is during odd months (January, March, etc.). If you live south of Pleasant Run Road, it's during even months (February, April, etc.).
Can I throw loose garbage into my grey trash cart?
No. The City of Lancaster and CWD require all household garbage to be securely placed in disposable bags before being tossed into the grey 95-gallon cart. This prevents litter from blowing around during automated dumping.
What should I do if I have extra bulk trash during a month when I don't get curbside service?
During non-service months, Lancaster residents can drop off up to 12 cubic yards of bulky waste and brush at the CWD Transfer Station in Dallas (2010 California Crossing Road) on the first Saturday of the month, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., by presenting a current water bill.