Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Port Arthur
Trash Day
Garbage is collected once per week Monday through Friday based on your neighborhood route, with bulk trash collected every two weeks according to your designated zone.
Recycling
No curbside recycling service; drop-off recycling is available at regional SETRPC collection centers.
Yard Waste
Collected during your neighborhood's scheduled bulk trash pickup weeks (limbs cut to 4 feet and grass/leaves placed in containers).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential solid waste and trash charges are conveniently bundled into your monthly City of Port Arthur water utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, In-Person, Night Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
The city offers a Senior Citizen Water Discount program for residents aged 65 and older.
City-issued 96-gallon toter Bin (Trash)
Toters must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with handles facing the residence. Garbage left outside or overflowing the toter will not be collected and could result in fines.
Accepted Items
- ✓Light household trash
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Standard bagged garbage
Drop-Off Only (No curbside program) Bin (Recycling)
The City of Port Arthur does not provide curbside recycling. Residents must transport recyclables to local SETRPC drop-off locations or private recycling centers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Plastics
- ✓Metals (via private scrap or SETRPC locations)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Household trash
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Collected during your assigned heavy trash/bulk zone week (Zone I or Zone II). Tree limbs must be neatly stacked. Do not place yard waste inside the 96-gallon garbage toter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs (cut to 4-foot lengths)
- ✓Brush
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Bi-weekly, according to your assigned Heavy Trash Zone (Zone I or Zone II).
Placement
Keep bulk piles well away from vehicles, mailboxes, and fences. Do not place items directly under low-hanging electrical, telephone, or cable wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Old furniture and household furnishings
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Neatly stacked 4-foot tree limbs
- ✓ Loose yard trash (leaves, grass)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Roofing, demolition, or construction material
- ✕ Concrete, brick, or asbestos
- ✕ Hazardous, toxic, or flammable waste
- ✕ Batteries, oil, or oil filters
- ✕ Medical waste
Heavy trash and brush collection is a free service for Port Arthur residents. Private contractors conducting commercial work at a residence must haul away their own debris.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Port Arthur observes a generous holiday schedule. Depending on the day of the week, crews will generally take the holiday off and either return the following day to finish out the week, or work a weekend shift to catch up.
Yard Waste Exception
Bi-weekly heavy trash and brush collections will experience the exact same holiday delays and alternate scheduling as standard household garbage routes.
Always check the city's official 'Solid Waste Holiday Schedule' directly, as specific makeup days shift yearly based on when the holiday falls.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer / Fall
June - NovemberDuring Gulf Coast hurricane season, avoid generating massive brush piles right before severe weather hits. Utilize your designated Zone week or drive heavy debris to the municipal landfill so it doesn't become a projectile in high winds.
Winter
December - JanuaryThe Solid Waste Division observes numerous holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, and Thanksgiving. Expect routes to shift or for crews to work an alternate weekend schedule to catch up during holiday weeks.
Spring
March - MayHeavy spring pruning generates excessive yard waste. Make sure all tree limbs and branches are cut down to manageable 4-foot lengths and stacked neatly away from fences and vehicles for your bi-weekly heavy trash collection.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Bottles and Cans? See If You Can Turn Them Into Cash in the Golden Triangle!
While Port Arthur doesn't have a dedicated bottle buyback center right in the city limits, you've got options nearby in the Golden Triangle for turning those recyclables into a little extra cash! Many local scrap metal yards in the greater Southeast Texas area will take aluminum cans and other metals. It's a good idea to give a few of the larger scrap yards in Beaumont or Nederland a call to ask about their current prices and what they accept. You're doing your part for the environment and maybe getting a few bucks back!
Giving Your Good Stuff a Second Life: Where to Donate in Port Arthur
Before you toss out items that are still in decent shape, think about donating them! Port Arthur has places where your gently used clothes, furniture, and household goods can find a new home. The Salvation Army often has a donation center in or near the city, and they're always looking for contributions to support their programs. Also, keep an eye out for smaller local thrift stores or churches that might have donation drives; they're a fantastic way to help out fellow community members and keep good items out of the landfill.
Keeping Port Arthur Clean: What to Do About Piles of Trash and Big Item Junk
Nobody likes seeing trash where it shouldn't be. If you notice illegal dumping happening, it's important to report it to the City of Port Arthur's Public Works department. They're the ones who can investigate and get it cleaned up. For those times you have larger items that aren't your regular trash pickup, like an old couch or appliance, Port Arthur typically has designated days or specific procedures for bulky waste collection. It's best to check the city's official website or give them a call beforehand to make sure you're following their guidelines so your bulky items are taken care of properly.
Drop-off Facilities
Port Arthur Municipal Landfill
4732 Highway 73 West, Port Arthur, TX 77640
Materials Accepted
Port Arthur Recycling (Private Facility)
2901 W FM 365, Port Arthur, TX 77640
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does my garbage toter need to be on the street in Port Arthur?
Your 96-gallon garbage toter must be placed at the curb before 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. Additionally, you must remove the container from the curb by 8:00 p.m. the same evening.
Does Port Arthur provide curbside recycling?
No, the City of Port Arthur Solid Waste Division does not currently offer a municipal curbside recycling program. Residents are encouraged to use local SETRPC drop-off locations or private recycling yards.
When does the city pick up heavy trash and brush?
Port Arthur collects heavy trash and yard debris on a bi-weekly zone schedule. Neighborhoods in Zone I are serviced on the 2nd and 4th weeks of the month, while Zone II is serviced on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month.
Why didn't the garbage truck empty my toter?
Toters are frequently skipped if they contain prohibited items such as sheetrock, wood, TVs, concrete, or yard vegetation. They may also be skipped if the handle is not facing your house, or if the toter is placed too close to a vehicle or mailbox.