Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Missouri City
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.
Blue Bin (Trash)
Must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Keep the cart at least 5 feet away from the recycling cart and other obstacles, with the handle facing your house.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Greasy pizza boxes
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Bright Green with Black Lid Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place items loosely in the green container. Set out every other week by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Empty beverage cartons
- ✓Plastic containers #1-#5 and #7
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Packing materials
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable, compostable heavy-duty lawn and leaf bags. Brush must be securely bound, max 4 feet in length and under 40 lbs per bundle.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Plants and small shrubs
- ✓Tree limbs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every other week on your designated heavy trash day.
Placement
Place items safely at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Ensure the bulk pile is at least 5 feet away from your blue and green carts, fire hydrants, and mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Bagged materials that do not fit in the cart
- ✓ Vegetative debris and tree stumps
- ✓ Securely bound brush under 4 feet
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous household waste
- ✕ Wet paint
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon (unless properly drained and tagged)
Bulk service is included in your standard residential rate. Excessive loads or items requiring specialized removal (like Freon appliances) may require separate independent handling.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
GFL Environmental suspends collection on observed holidays. If your normal pickup falls on or after a holiday, service will generally be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Weekly yard waste pickups are subject to the same holiday delay schedule as regular solid waste.
Residents should always check the Missouri City Municipal Solid Waste interactive map during holiday weeks to confirm their adjusted collection date.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass and Pizza Boxes Out
Unlike some regional programs, Missouri City strictly prohibits glass and greasy pizza boxes in the green recycling cart. These items cause severe machinery issues and must always be thrown in your blue solid waste cart.
Ditch the Plastic for Yard Waste
If you bag your grass clippings or leaves in standard plastic trash bags, the hauler will treat the pile as regular garbage rather than compostable material. Always use heavy-duty biodegradable paper bags for yard debris.
Loose Items Only in the Green Cart
Never put your recyclables inside a plastic trash bag before tossing them into the green bin. Plastic bags wrap around the sorting gears at the recycling plant, so all recyclables must remain loose.
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryDuring the month of January, GFL Environmental offers a special curbside holiday tree pickup. Place your completely bare tree (no ornaments, lights, or flocking) at the curb on your regularly scheduled bulk collection day.
Summer / Fall
June - NovemberDuring the Gulf Coast hurricane season, severe storms can leave massive amounts of vegetative debris. Residents are advised to create separate piles for branches, construction debris, and regular trash to expedite emergency pickups without blocking storm sewers.
Spring
March - MayHeavy spring pruning generates excessive brush. To ensure pickup by the automated CNG trucks, keep your branch bundles tied securely, under four feet in length, and weighing less than 40 pounds.
About Missouri City Waste Management
Missouri City's Clean-Fleet Solid Waste Collection
Through a dedicated municipal franchise agreement, Missouri City's residential garbage and recycling are collected by GFL Environmental. A standout feature of this program is the use of environment-friendly compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks. This fleet significantly lowers the city's carbon emissions while executing the twice-weekly garbage and bi-weekly recycling routes, delivering cleaner air alongside clean streets for all residents.
Decoding the Blue and Green Cart System
Missouri City utilizes a very specific cart color scheme that differs from many neighboring Texas municipalities. Your standard household trash belongs in the blue solid waste container. Conversely, the bright green cart with a black lid is strictly designated for bi-weekly curbside recycling. To ensure smooth automated pickup, residents must place these carts at least five feet apart with the handles facing their residence by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
The $50 Hazardous Waste Voucher Perk
Properly disposing of harsh chemicals and paints is often a challenge, but Missouri City offers an exceptional benefit to its residents. Households are eligible to receive a voucher worth up to $50 to offset the costs of dropping off household hazardous waste (HHW) at the Fort Bend County Recycling Center in Rosenberg. Simply contact the city's urban forester via email to secure your voucher and dispose of dangerous materials affordably.
Simplified Heavy Trash and Yard Debris
Unlike cities that charge per-item fees for large pickups, Missouri City's five-year contract includes a comprehensive bulk waste and yard debris service in the standard $20.31 monthly residential rate (effective 2026). Heavy trash is collected every other week, while yard waste is serviced weekly. Whether you are discarding an old mattress or hauling out heavy spring brush, simply ensure your items meet the weight limits and are set out no earlier than the evening prior to your scheduled day.
Drop-off Facilities
Fort Bend County Recycling and Environmental Center
1200 Blume Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Why wasn't the glass picked up from my green recycling bin?
Missouri City's recycling contract specifically excludes glass because shattered pieces easily contaminate paper and plastic streams. You must dispose of all glass bottles and jars in your blue solid waste cart.
How can I get the $50 household hazardous waste voucher?
Missouri City households can email [email protected] to request a voucher worth up to $50. You can apply this voucher toward disposal fees when bringing paints, oils, and chemicals to the Fort Bend County Recycling Center.
Can I use standard black trash bags for my grass clippings?
No. If you place your yard waste in regular solid waste bags, the hauler will treat it as standard garbage. You must store yard debris in heavy-duty, compostable paper lawn bags, or place it directly into a regular trash container.
Who should I call if my trash cart is missed or damaged?
You can contact GFL Environmental's dedicated Missouri City Customer Service center at 281-403-5800. This is also the number to call if you are disabled or elderly and need to sign up for assisted valet service (requires a doctor's signature).