Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Plano
Trash Day
Curbside trash is collected once per week, Monday through Thursday, depending on your assigned neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Curbside recycling (green cart) is picked up every other week on the same day as your regular trash collection, following an alternating Orange or Purple week rotation.
Yard Waste
Yard trimmings are collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup (place in brown paper yard bags or bundles).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (and no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling fees are bundled directly into your monthly City of Plano municipal utility (water and sewer) bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Pay-by-Text, Phone, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
The City waives the $100 utility deposit for new residential customers aged 65 and older. No ongoing monthly rate discounts are offered, though payment extensions and crisis assistance are available.
Standard Trash Cart (Black/Gray) Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day with wheels facing the house. Keep carts at least 3 feet apart from each other and away from mailboxes and parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household waste
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged pet waste
Green Cart Bin (Recycling)
Collected every other week (Orange or Purple schedule). All items must be completely empty, clean, dry, and loose. Never bag your recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5 (bottles and containers)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Paper, newspaper, and cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags (of any kind)
- ✕Wrapping paper with foil or glitter
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, Christmas lights, wires)
- ✕Food residue
Yard Waste Bin
Collected weekly on the same day as trash. Must be placed in large brown paper yard bags or loose piles (up to 6' x 4' x 4'). Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Dirt, soil, and treated lumber are not accepted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Tree limbs and brush
- ✓Flattened cardboard boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Monthly (Assigned Week 1-4)
Placement
Place items within 2 feet of the curb or alley by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup date. Keep piles clear of fences, gas meters, and low-hanging wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, mattresses)
- ✓ Large household appliances (without Freon)
- ✓ Clean scrap wood and lumber
- ✓ Exercise equipment and grills (propane removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Bricks, concrete, rocks, or soil
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris
- ✕ Shingles and roofing material
- ✕ Vehicle parts and tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Appliances with Freon require a $25 fee. Piles exceeding 6 cubic yards require a Special Paid Collection starting at $10 per cubic yard ($20 minimum).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Plano operates on a 'slide' schedule for major holidays. If your normal collection day falls on or after an observed holiday during a Monday-Thursday workweek, your pickup shifts one day later. Collections before the holiday are unaffected.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard trimmings follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as trash and recycling. However, there is a total suspension of yard waste collection during the last week of December.
If a holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), it will not delay any weekday residential collections in Plano.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
DecemberPlease note that the City of Plano completely suspends yard trimmings collection during the final week of the year (typically December 26-31). Yard waste placed at the curb during this time will not be picked up until the new year.
Spring
March - MaySpring cleaning often results in large bulky waste piles. Remember that the free monthly bulky pickup has a strict 6-cubic-yard limit (6 ft x 4 ft x 4 ft). If your pile is larger, you must schedule and pay for a Special Paid Collection.
Year-Round
January - DecemberPlano offers free curbside household chemical collection year-round. You do not need to wait for a special seasonal event to dispose of old paint or pesticides; simply call EWS Customer Service to schedule an appointment.
Local Tips & Community Info
Get Paid for Your Cans and Bottles Around Plano?
While Texas doesn't have a statewide bottle redemption program like some other states, it's still worth checking out local scrap metal yards if you've got a pile of aluminum cans or other metal items. Some places in the Dallas-Fort Worth area might offer a few bucks for them. Your best bet is usually to call ahead and ask what they're buying and if they have any minimum amounts. It's a little extra effort, but hey, free money!
Give Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life in Plano!
Instead of tossing perfectly good items, think about donating them to a local Plano charity. Goodwill is a big one, and they have several locations nearby where they happily accept clothes, household goods, and furniture. Another fantastic option is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Plano. They take furniture, appliances, building materials, and more, which helps fund their mission of building homes for families. It's a win-win: declutter your space and help a neighbor in need.
Keeping Plano Litter-Free: What to Do About Dumping?
Most of us want Plano to look its best, right? If you ever see illegal dumping, like trash or old furniture left in weird places, the city wants to know! You can report it to the City of Plano's Code Compliance or Public Works department. They're usually pretty responsive. Also, keep an eye out for community clean-up events that pop up throughout the year. Joining one is a great way to meet neighbors and make a visible difference in our parks and neighborhoods.
Drop-off Facilities
121 Regional Disposal Facility (NTMWD)
3820 Highway 121 North, Melissa, TX 75454
Materials Accepted
NTMWD Custer Road Transfer Station
9901 Custer Rd, Plano, TX 75025 (Entrance on Ridgeview Drive)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Orange and Purple weeks for recycling in Plano?
Plano's green cart recycling program operates on a bi-weekly schedule. Half of the city is assigned to the 'Orange Week' rotation, and the other half to the 'Purple Week' rotation. You can find your specific color assignment and calendar by checking the EWS collection maps on Plano.gov.
Do I need to call the city to pick up my bulk trash?
Yes. Even though you are assigned a specific bulky waste week (Weeks 1-4) each month, the pickup is not automatic. You must schedule your collection at least two working days in advance by calling 972-941-7141 or submitting an online request.
How do I throw away an old refrigerator or AC unit in Plano?
Appliances containing Freon (coolant), such as refrigerators, freezers, window AC units, and water coolers, require special handling. You must call EWS Customer Service to schedule a pickup, and a $25 environmental fee will be applied to your City of Plano utility bill.
Can I put my grass clippings and leaves in plastic garbage bags?
No. The City of Plano explicitly bans plastic bags for yard trimmings. All grass, leaves, and small brush must be placed in large brown compostable paper bags or left in a loose pile (up to 6 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet) at the curb.