Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Portland
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.
City-issued 96-gallon cart Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed curbside by 7:00 a.m. with wheels against the curb. Carts may not be placed out before 5:00 p.m. the day prior to pickup and must be removed by 7:00 a.m. the following day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small limbs (if lid closes completely)
City-issued 96-gallon cart Bin (Recycling)
Serviced every other week on your regular trash day. Ensure all recyclable items are clean, dry, unbagged, and placed loosely in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper (newspapers, cardboard, mail, magazines)
- ✓Metal (aluminum, tin, and steel cans, foil)
- ✓Plastic (bottles and containers marked #1 or #2)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass and glass items
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Mirrors and light bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Serviced only four times a year (March, June, September, December). Piles must be kept entirely separate from household bulk waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs (under 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
- ✓Leaves and small items (must be in clear bags)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Monthly, during the first full week of the month.
Placement
Limit is 12 cubic yards per address. Place items clear of low-hanging wires, mailboxes, and parked cars. Must be separated from brush and yard waste.
Accepted
- ✓ Kitchen appliances (freon professionally removed)
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and water tanks
- ✓ Furniture (couches, mattresses, dressers)
- ✓ Toys and gym equipment
- ✓ TVs under 32 inches
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction or remodeling materials (plywood, sheetrock, concrete)
- ✕ Hazardous materials (pesticides, pool chemicals)
- ✕ Motor oil and cooking oil
- ✕ TVs over 32 inches
- ✕ Tires and batteries
- ✕ Items in trash bags
Bulk pickup is included in standard Portland residential utility services at no extra charge, provided the pile complies with the 12-cubic-yard limit and material restrictions.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on an observed holiday, your service will typically be shifted to the Saturday of that same week.
Yard Waste Exception
Quarterly brush and monthly bulk collections operate on specialized window timeframes and are rarely affected by single-day holidays, but always verify set-out dates on the city website.
Holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day generally do not disrupt the Portland schedule. Check the RecycleCoach app for specific seasonal adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Absolutely No Glass
Unlike some neighboring Texas municipalities, Portland’s recycling stream cannot process glass. Putting jars, mirrors, or beverage bottles in your recycling cart contaminates the load and risks a rejected bin. Please place all glass in your regular trash.
Use Clear Bags for Leaves
When participating in the quarterly brush and yard waste pickup, do not use black trash bags for leaves or small yard clippings. Republic Services requires residents to use clear bags (readily available at HEB or Lowe's) so crews can visually verify the contents are purely organic.
Professional Freon Removal is Mandatory
If you are setting out a refrigerator or freezer for the monthly bulk pickup, or taking it to the Citizen Collection Center, the CFC/freon must be removed beforehand. It must also be visibly tagged by a licensed technician, otherwise, the appliance will be left at the curb.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryRepublic Services collects post-holiday Christmas trees alongside the standard January household bulk collection. Simply place your bare tree on top of your designated bulk waste pile during the first full week of January.
Spring & Fall
March & SeptemberBecause yard waste is only picked up quarterly, March and September are crucial months to prepare your property for the growing season or upcoming winter. The city also occasionally hosts special bulk drop-off events at the Portland Water Tower during these seasons to supplement reduced curbside services.
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberAs a coastal city, Portland is vulnerable to severe tropical weather. Following a major storm, standard 12-cubic-yard limits and regular set-out schedules may be temporarily suspended to accommodate emergency debris removal. Always rely on the city's official eNews or social media for post-storm instructions.
About Portland Waste Management
Navigating Portland's Streamlined Waste Services
The City of Portland, Texas, operates a comprehensive solid waste program in partnership with Republic Services. Beyond standard weekly trash and bi-weekly recycling collection, the city employs a strategic schedule for heavy residential waste, separating bulk household items from yard waste. This systematic approach allows for more efficient street collections and reduces the amount of time debris sits curbside in local neighborhoods.
The 12-Cubic-Yard Limit Rule
To maintain clean streets and ensure timely pickups, Portland strictly enforces a 12-cubic-yard limit for both its monthly bulk pickups and quarterly yard waste collections. For quick visualization, this equates to a pile no larger than 12 feet long (parallel to the curb), 7 feet deep, and 4 feet high. Piles exceeding this limit may not be serviced, so residents should plan large cleanups accordingly.
Understanding the Highway 181 Divide
A unique feature of Portland's quarterly brush and yard waste program is its geographical split. Collections happen strictly during the months of March, June, September, and December. However, your specific set-out weekend is determined by whether your home is located East of Highway 181 (the 'Whataburger side') or West of Highway 181 (the 'Chick-fil-A side'). It's essential to check the city's exact schedule to avoid missing your zone's designated weekend.
The Citizen Collection Center Convenience
For residents who miss a scheduled bulk pickup or generate excess waste between collection dates, the City of Portland offers the Citizen Collection Center. Located behind the Animal Care Services facility, this site allows locals to drop off residential trash, household appliances, and yard waste for free. Proof of residency, such as a water bill or driver's license, is required upon entry.
Digital Scheduling with RecycleCoach
To remove the guesswork from collection days, Portland utilizes the RecycleCoach platform. Residents can access this free tool via the city's website or mobile app to receive automated reminders, verify whether an item belongs in the recycling cart, and get instant updates on schedule shifts caused by major holidays or severe coastal weather.
Drop-off Facilities
Portland Citizen Collection Center
1109 Moore Ave, Portland, TX 78374 (Behind Animal Care Services)
Materials Accepted
J.C. Elliott Collection Center (For Hazardous Waste)
7001 Ayers St, Corpus Christi, TX 78415
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When is bulk trash collected in Portland, Texas?
Bulk household waste is collected monthly during the first full week of the month. Residents must set their items on the curb between noon on the Saturday prior to the first full week, and 7:00 a.m. on Monday. Republic Services will pick up the pile sometime between Monday and Saturday.
How often does Portland pick up brush and yard waste?
Unlike household bulk trash, brush and yard waste are collected quarterly—specifically in March, June, September, and December. Your exact set-out dates depend on whether your home is located east or west of Highway 181.
Is there a limit to how much yard waste or bulk trash I can put out?
Yes, the City of Portland enforces a strict limit of 12 cubic yards per address per pickup. This pile size is equivalent to 12 feet long, 7 feet deep (from the curb inward), and 4 feet high.
Where can I dispose of old paint and household chemicals?
Republic Services does not collect hazardous waste at the curb in Portland. Residents must take paints, chemicals, pesticides, and other hazardous materials to the J.C. Elliott Collection Center in neighboring Corpus Christi, where drop-off fees will apply.