Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Laredo
Trash Day
Trash collection occurs once weekly on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected on Thursdays or Fridays depending on your zone.
Yard Waste
Brush and yard trimmings are collected on a rotating 5-day schedule across the city's 5 zip code zones; residents may also schedule free bulky/brush pickups up to twice per year.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste and recycling charges are consolidated directly into your monthly City of Laredo municipal utility bill alongside water and sewer services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mobile App (Laredo Utilities), Auto Bank Draft, Phone, Mail, Drive-Thru / In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
An Affordability Assistance Program is available for eligible low-income households. In addition, seniors aged 65 and older and military veterans are exempt from late fees on homestead accounts.
Green (Willie Bote) Bin (Trash)
Set out by 6:30 AM on your scheduled day, no earlier than 7:00 PM the night before. All trash MUST be bagged. Place 4 feet away from obstacles with wheels facing away from the street. Lid must close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Bagged food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue (Billie Bote) Bin (Recycling)
Collection is Thursday or Friday depending on your zip code. Recyclables must be placed LOOSE in the bin, never bagged. Carts must be at the curb by 6:30 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Newspaper and mixed paper
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 (caps removed)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and mirrors
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Grass and leaves must be in bags weighing no more than 30 lbs. Branches must be tied with string/twine into bundles no larger than 2.5 ft high, 4 ft wide, and 5 ft long. Place at curb by 7:00 AM on your assigned zip code collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches (max 3 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 free collections per year (max 4 items each)
Placement
Place items safely at the curb, ensuring they do not block vehicles, mailboxes, or pedestrian pathways. Do not place under low-hanging tree limbs.
Accepted
- ✓ Old furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Stoves
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (wood, sheetrock)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Concrete blocks and dirt
If you are a commercial account or a resident not paying the standard garbage fee, you do not qualify for the free pickups and must pay the per-item fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major observed holiday falls on your regular trash day, collection is typically rescheduled. Monday holidays often push garbage pickup to Wednesday, and Thursday/Friday recycling collections are delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Brush and lawn clipping collections will be paused on major city-observed holidays and will resume on the next operating day within your zip code's scheduled rotation.
The Laredo Landfill is closed on Sundays and may have modified hours or full closures on major federal holidays. Always call 3-1-1 to confirm holiday landfill access.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryDuring the winter holidays, collection schedules typically shift. If Christmas Day or New Year's Day falls on a Monday, garbage routes are usually pushed to Wednesday, while recycling routes (normally Thursday/Friday) may shift to Friday/Saturday.
Spring
March - MaySpring is heavy brush season in Laredo. Remember that the city strictly enforces brush bundle limits. If you have large, untied branches or tree limbs exceeding 3 inches in diameter, the standard lawn-clipping crews will leave them behind.
Summer/Fall
June - OctoberDuring severe South Texas storms, secure your Willie and Billie botes indoors or against your house if high winds are projected. Unsecured empty carts easily blow into roadways or cause property damage.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash In Your Cans? Laredo's Got Ways to Recycle and Earn!
Hey neighbors! While Laredo might not have specific state-run bottle buyback centers like some other places, don't toss those cans and plastic bottles just yet! Texas has a general approach where you can often take scrap metal and certain recyclables to local recycling centers or scrap yards. Check out places like Laredo Metal Recycling on Jaime Zapata Memorial Drive. They're usually happy to take your aluminum cans, steel, and other metals, sometimes giving you a few bucks for them. It's a great way to keep your bins lighter and your wallet a little heavier!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Laredo!
Got items that are still good but you just don't need anymore? Instead of them ending up in the landfill, think about donating them! In Laredo, organizations like the Goodwill Industries of South Texas on San Bernardo Avenue often welcome donations of clothing, household goods, and furniture. It's a fantastic way to support a good cause and give your pre-loved items a chance to be useful to someone else in our community. Plus, decluttering feels pretty good, right?
Keeping Our Streets Clean: Laredo's Stance on Trash Tossers
Let's all do our part to keep Laredo beautiful. Illegal dumping is a real problem that affects everyone. If you see someone dumping trash illegally, you can report it. While Laredo might not have a public calendar for community clean-up days, keeping an eye out for neighborhood initiatives or contacting the City of Laredo's Public Works department might lead you to volunteer opportunities or inform you about how to report dumping. Being good neighbors means taking care of our shared spaces!
Drop-off Facilities
City of Laredo Landfill
6912 State Hwy 359, Laredo, TX 78043
Materials Accepted
Department of Public Works - Motor Oil Recycling
5512 Daugherty Ave, Laredo, TX 78041
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my Willie Bote or Billie Bote gets stolen?
If your trash or recycling cart is stolen, you must file an incident report with the Laredo Police Department and obtain a case number. If you provide this case number, the city will replace the cart for free. If you do not file a police report, you will be charged a $50.00 replacement fee.
Can I request an extra trash cart for my home?
Yes, if your household generates more waste than a single Willie Bote can handle, you can request an additional refuse collection cart. The city charges an extra fee of $11.00 per month for the second cart.
Does the City of Laredo collect construction debris at the curb?
Yes, but it is not part of the standard free bulky pickup. Removal of construction and demolition debris like sheetrock, carpet, or siding is a paid service. The minimum charge is $55.00 for up to 5 cubic yards, plus $11.00 for each additional cubic yard.
How do I dispose of old tires in Laredo?
Tires are not allowed in your curbside Willie Bote. However, Laredo residents can take up to four passenger car tires per day to the City of Laredo Landfill on Highway 359 at no cost, provided you show a valid ID and a matching utility bill.