Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Plano
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Never Use Black Plastic Bags for Recycling
If you place your recyclables inside a black plastic trash bag—or any plastic bag—EWS workers will assume it is regular garbage and send it directly to the landfill. Always toss your recyclables loosely into the green cart.
Stick to the 'Big 3' Plastics
Plano's recycling facility only accepts plastics stamped with a #1, #2, or #5. Common items like Styrofoam, plastic clamshell food containers, and certain yogurt cups (often #6 or #7) cannot be recycled curbside and must go in your trash.
Keep Foil and Glitter Off the Paper
While standard paper and cardboard are perfect for your green cart, holiday wrapping paper or greeting cards that feature metallic foil, glitter, or musical components contaminate the paper stream and must be thrown in the trash.
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.
About Plano Waste Management
Plano's Four-Day Geographic Zone Schedule
The City of Plano's Environmental Waste Services (EWS) exclusively handles residential solid waste for single-family homes, operating its routes strictly from Monday through Thursday. This means there are no regular Friday residential pickups. The city utilizes a geographic zone system bounded by major roadways to determine your exact collection day. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated day, but no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the evening prior.
Orange and Purple Week Recycling Rotation
While standard household garbage and yard trimmings are collected every week, Plano’s green cart recycling program operates on a bi-weekly schedule. Neighborhoods are divided into two distinct rotations known as 'Orange Week' and 'Purple Week.' Your recyclables will be picked up every other week on the same day as your normal trash. Residents can check the official City of Plano recycling calendar to determine their specific color assignment.
Strict 'No Plastic' Rule for Yard Trimmings
Plano maintains a highly successful organics recycling program, but strictly prohibits the use of plastic bags for yard waste. Grass clippings and leaves must be packed in large brown compostable paper bags or left in loose piles at the curb. Large cardboard boxes can also be flattened and placed next to these yard trimming piles for collection. If yard waste is placed in plastic bags, crews will leave it at the curb to prevent contamination at the Texas Pure Products composting facility.
Monthly Scheduled Bulky Waste Program
Plano offers residents one free curbside bulky waste collection per month, with each neighborhood assigned a specific week (Week 1 through Week 4). Crucially, this service is not fully automatic—residents must schedule their bulky pickup at least two working days in advance by calling 972-941-7141 or submitting an online request. The maximum allowable pile size for free collection is 6 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet (6 cubic yards).
Handling Unmanageable Piles and Freon Appliances
If you exceed the 6-cubic-yard limit during your monthly bulky waste week, or if you need an out-of-cycle pickup, you must arrange a 'Special Paid Collection.' EWS utilizes a boom truck for these large piles, charging $10 per cubic yard with a $20 minimum. Additionally, any appliances containing Freon—such as refrigerators, freezers, and window AC units—require a separate $25 environmental fee for safe handling and must be scheduled in advance.
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.