Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Richardson
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.
Black or dark bags (No carts used) Bin (Trash)
Richardson does not use trash carts. Trash must be placed in black or dark-colored bags (2 mils thick) weighing no more than 50 pounds. Set bags in the alleyway (or front parkway if the alley is unpaved) by 7:00 a.m. on your twice-a-week collection days. Crews will not pull bags out of personal trash cans.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Small vegetative debris under 50 lbs
- ✓Small appliances under 50 lbs
Blue Bags (No carts used) Bin (Recycling)
Place loose recyclables inside official City of Richardson Blue Bags. Set out at your normal collection point by 7:00 a.m. on your designated recycling day. On rainy days, do not set out cardboard or newspaper that isn't safely enclosed inside a blue bag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1-#7
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Newspapers and magazines
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Small yard waste under 50 lbs must go with regular trash. Large yard waste and brush over 50 lbs requires a BABIC request. Place BABIC yard waste on the front grassy parkway unbagged or in compostable paper bags (no plastic bags) away from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush and tree trunks
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Vegetative debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-Demand (Limit of 8 requests per year recommended)
Placement
Place bulk items on the front parkway (the grassy area between the sidewalk and the street) by midnight the night before the scheduled collection. Do not block the street, sidewalk, or fire hydrants.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances (washer, dryer, fridge)
- ✓ Carpet (cut to less than 8 feet long)
- ✓ Wood fences (without concrete or metal hardware)
- ✓ Lawn mowers (fluids must be drained)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and remodeling debris (drywall, tile)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil, solvents)
- ✕ Concrete, asphalt, bricks, dirt, or gravel
- ✕ Glass, mirrors, and windows
- ✕ Vehicle parts and tires
BABIC collection is provided to Richardson residents at no additional cost for eligible residential debris.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Richardson does not provide holiday makeup days for regular trash or BABIC collections. Because trash is collected twice a week, residents simply wait for their next regularly scheduled trash day.
Yard Waste Exception
Since there is no makeup day for BABIC, any scheduled bulk or brush pickups will be postponed until the next available service window.
Unlike trash, the city DOES schedule holiday makeup days for Blue Bag recycling collection. Check the city's official Holiday Schedule online for the exact recycling makeup date.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
The Rainy Day Cardboard Rule
If it is raining on your recycling collection day, do not leave flattened cardboard or newspaper outside of your blue bags. Wet paper products cannot be processed at the recycling facility and will be considered contaminated.
No Plastic Bags for BABIC Yard Waste
When scheduling a BABIC pickup for grass clippings or leaves, do not use plastic bags. You must use compostable paper bags or leave the brush loose. If yard waste is found in plastic bags, the entire load is sent to the landfill instead of the compost facility.
Respect the 50-Pound Rule
Because sanitation crews manually lift every bag, ensure no single trash bag weighs more than 50 pounds. Overweight bags will be left behind. Keep items light, distribute heavy waste among multiple bags, and tie them securely.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MaySpring cleaning and landscaping cause a massive spike in BABIC requests. The city urges residents to 'Think Big' and accumulate a substantial pile before scheduling a pickup, helping to manage truck routes and reduce wait times.
Winter
December - FebruaryIn the event of severe ice or snow storms, regular collections may be delayed. The city provides real-time alerts via the MyRichardson app. During these events, keep bags securely tied until service resumes.
Year-Round
January - DecemberCheck your mail for Blue Bag letters sent out by the city. These vouchers do not expire and can be redeemed at the Heights or Huffhines Recreation Centers for two free rolls of 26 blue recycling bags.
About Richardson Waste Management
The Unique 'Bag City' Advantage
Unlike most municipalities that utilize automated carts, the City of Richardson proudly operates as a 'Bag City.' Residents do not use city-issued or personal trash cans for collection. Instead, household garbage must be securely tied in black or dark-colored bags that are at least 2 mils thick. Because crews manually collect the bags—usually from the alley behind the home—no single bag can exceed 50 pounds. This twice-a-week collection system keeps neighborhood streets largely free of bulky plastic carts.
Richardson's Signature Blue Bag Program
The city's curbside recycling relies entirely on its well-known Blue Bag program. Residents place all their clean, single-stream recyclables directly into these specialized bags, which are picked up weekly on one of your normal trash days. To encourage participation, the city routinely mails letters and vouchers to homeowners, which can be redeemed for two free rolls of blue bags at local recreation centers. Bags can also be purchased from convenient vending machines at various fire stations and municipal buildings.
On-Demand Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC)
When you have items that weigh more than 50 pounds, you utilize Richardson's Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC). Rather than assigning rigid monthly bulk days, the city allows residents to schedule on-demand pickups via the MyRichardson App or by phone. The city asks residents to 'Think Big' and wait until they have a significant pile of yard debris, old furniture, or appliances before calling, recommending a limit of eight requests per year to keep the service efficient.
Texas Pure Composting Partnership
Richardson is deeply committed to diverting yard waste from landfills. When you schedule a BABIC pickup for large tree limbs or brush, the city transports the material to a regional composting facility. Through a partnership with Texas Pure, this organic waste is transformed into rich mulch and bulk compost. The city uses this compost for local parks and the Sherrill Park golf course, and residents can purchase the discounted mulch for their own landscaping needs.
Utilizing Local Drop-Off Facilities
For times when weekly bag service isn't enough, residents have multiple drop-off options. The Westside Pump Station on Cottonwood Drive offers a highly accessible recycling drop-off open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. If you are dealing with household hazardous waste like paint or pool chemicals, you must take those items to the Dallas Area Home Chemical Collection Center on Plano Road, as they are strictly prohibited in both regular trash bags and BABIC collections.
Drop-off Facilities
Westside Pump Station Recycling Drop-off
101 N Cottonwood Dr, Richardson, TX 75080
Materials Accepted
Lookout Drive Transfer Station
1601 E. Lookout Drive, Richardson, TX
Materials Accepted
Dallas Area Home Chemical Collection Center
11234 Plano Rd, Dallas, TX 75243
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a city-issued trash can in Richardson?
No, Richardson is a 'Bag City.' There are no automated carts. You must place your garbage in black or dark-colored bags that are at least 2 mils thick and weigh less than 50 pounds. Do not put bags in personal receptacles, as crews will not pull them out.
How do I get Blue Bags for recycling?
Blue bags can be purchased at various city facilities including recreation centers, the City Hall Annex, and through vending machines at local Fire Stations. The city also periodically mails vouchers that can be redeemed for two free rolls.
What is BABIC and how do I use it?
BABIC stands for Brush and Bulky Item Collection. It's an on-demand, free service for items over 50 pounds like furniture, appliances, and large brush piles. You must request a pickup via the MyRichardson App, online, or by calling 972-744-4111.
What should I do with my trash if a holiday interrupts service?
The city does not provide makeup days for regular trash or BABIC collections during holidays. Since regular trash is collected twice a week, you simply hold your bags until your next scheduled day. However, recycling collections do have specific holiday makeup days.