Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for McAllen
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.
Black Cart Bin (Trash)
Please bag and tie all trash placed in the Black Cart. Set out by 7:00 a.m. on your pickup day. The lid must be completely closed with no waste overflowing or placed on top. Maintain 3 feet of clearance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard household debris
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Requires a paid subscription ($15.50/month) and application. All recyclables must be placed loose in the Blue Cart. Keep 3 feet of distance from the Black Cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles
- ✓Paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Overflowing waste
Yard Waste Bin
Grass and leaves should be placed in compostable brown paper bags (via the BAG IT! program). Large brush is collected on your designated bulk pickup weeks and must be separated from bulky household waste piles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On scheduled brush and debris pick-up weeks (find via online collection map)
Placement
Place items on the week of collection in the area where the black and blue bins are set out, ensuring 3 feet of clearance from all obstacles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Carpet
- ✓ Bulky toys
- ✓ Wood
- ✓ Appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction material
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Food waste
- ✕ Tires (must be taken to Drop-Off site)
Curbside pickup is free on your scheduled week. You can also utilize the Drop-Off site for free by showing your McAllen utility bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of McAllen frequently maintains regular collection schedules even during major winter holidays, but routes are subject to change based on landfill availability. Always verify the holiday schedule via the McAllen Public Works website or by dialing 3-1-1.
Yard Waste Exception
Brush and bulky collections may be paused on severe weather days or modified during specific holiday weeks to focus on standard household garbage.
The Drop-Off Facility at 4101 N. Bentsen Road is generally closed on major city-observed holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Only Code 1 and 2 Plastics
The McAllen Recycling Center only accepts plastics labeled #1 and #2. Putting #3 through #7 plastics in your Blue Cart will contaminate the batch and could lead to your bin being permanently removed.
Bag the Black, Loose in the Blue
Make sure all your regular household trash in the Black Cart is bagged and tied securely. However, everything in the Blue Recycling Cart must be completely loose—never bag your recyclables.
No Excess Trash on Top
The lids of both your black and blue bins must be completely closed. Do not pile excess waste on top of the container, as the automated side-loading trucks cannot safely lift overflowing carts.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryUnlike many municipalities, McAllen often maintains its regular trash and recycling pickup schedule during winter holidays like Christmas and New Year's Day. Always check the city's latest news releases to confirm if your route is unchanged.
Summer/Fall
June - NovemberDuring intense South Texas hurricane seasons, separate heavy storm debris from your regular bulky items. Mixing vegetative brush with fencing or furniture will cause the mechanical collection crane to leave your pile behind.
Spring
March - MaySpring is the perfect time to organize a neighborhood cleanup. Gather 15 neighbor signatures and apply for the Project Clean Neighborhoods program to receive free yellow roll-off dumpsters for a weekend.
About McAllen Waste Management
Subscription-Based Blue Recycling Carts
McAllen offers a unique approach to residential recycling. Unlike cities where recycling is automatically included in standard utility fees, McAllen operates an opt-in program. Residents must submit a separate application and obtain a recycling badge to receive a Blue Cart. The subscription costs $15.50 per month, ensuring only dedicated recyclers participate, which significantly reduces bin contamination and processing fees.
The BAG IT! Grass and Leaf Program
To divert organic waste from the landfill and keep neighborhoods free of loose lawn debris, the City of McAllen Public Works department promotes the BAG IT! program. Residents are provided with free compostable brown paper bags specifically for disposing of leaves and grass clippings. This helps the city efficiently process organic materials into compost at their local facility.
Free Residential Drop-Off Facility
If you miss your scheduled bulky item pickup week, McAllen residents don't have to wait or pay premium private dumping fees. The city provides a free residential drop-off site at 4101 N. Bentsen Road. By presenting a current water bill and a valid Texas ID, you can dispose of tires, brush trimmings, old furniture, and metal appliances. Note that construction debris is strictly prohibited due to hazardous material regulations.
Project Clean Neighborhoods Community Dumpsters
To combat illegal dumping and encourage community pride, McAllen offers the 'Project Clean Neighborhoods' initiative. Once a year, a neighborhood leader can collect 15 signatures from local residents to request free yellow roll-off dumpsters for a weekend cleanup. Neighbors can use these localized dumpsters to toss broken appliances, bulky items, and debris without paying extra hauler fees.
Strict 3-Foot Clearance and Timings
McAllen's automated collection trucks require precise bin placement. Your Black garbage cart and Blue recycling cart must be placed at least three feet away from each other, as well as three feet from mailboxes, cars, and fences. Furthermore, local ordinance dictates that bins cannot be permanently stored in the front yard; they must be set out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day and retrieved to the side or backyard by 7:00 p.m.
Drop-off Facilities
City of McAllen Drop-Off Site & Recycling Center
4101 N. Bentsen Rd, McAllen, TX 78504
Materials Accepted
Edinburg Regional Landfill (Open to McAllen Residents)
8601 Jasman Road, Edinburg, TX 78542
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a blue recycling bin in McAllen?
Unlike standard garbage service, curbside recycling in McAllen is a subscription-based program. You must apply for the program, receive a specialized badge, and pay a monthly fee (currently $15.50/month) to receive a blue cart and collection.
What time should my trash bins be at the curb?
McAllen city ordinance requires residents to place their black and blue bins out by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day. Bins must be removed from the front yard or alley and returned to a side or backyard area by 7:00 p.m. on the same day.
Where can I dispose of old appliances and tires?
McAllen residents can take bulky items, old appliances, tires, and brush directly to the City Drop-Off facility at 4101 N. Bentsen Road. The service is free of charge; you just need to present your current McAllen water bill.
How do I organize a neighborhood dumpster cleanup?
Through the Project Clean Neighborhoods program, you can request a free yellow roll-off dumpster for your block. You must collect 15 signatures from your neighbors and submit an application to the city to schedule your free weekend cleanup.