Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for San Juan
Trash Day
Garbage is collected weekly by quadrant: Northwest (Quadrant 4) on Mondays, Southwest (Quadrant 1) on Tuesdays, Northeast (Quadrant 3) on Wednesdays, and Southeast (Quadrant 2) on Thursdays.
Recycling
Drop-off recycling is available at the San Juan Recycling Center/Transfer Site (317 W. Hall Acres Rd) Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Yard Waste
Brush and bulky debris are collected on designated monthly collection weeks by quadrant; items should be placed out between Thursday and Sunday preceding your scheduled pickup week.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage and sanitation fees are conveniently bundled on your monthly City of San Juan utility bill along with water and sewer charges.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Drive-Thru, In-Person, Mail
Green or Gray Bin (Trash)
Place the cart unobstructed at the curb by 7:00 A.M. on your collection day. Ensure there is at least a 5-foot clearance from mailboxes, parked cars, and other objects.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged household trash
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables are collected bi-weekly according to the city's recycling calendar. Items should be placed loosely in the cart without plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Paper recyclables
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Construction materials
Yard Waste Bin
Do not mix yard waste with household trash. Brush must be neatly stacked just behind the curb line in front of your home during your designated bulk collection week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Brush
- ✓Leaves
- ✓General yard debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled specific weeks based on your quadrant/neighborhood.
Placement
Place items just behind the curb line in front of your own home. Do not place in alleys, on sidewalks, or across the street. Maintain a strict 5-foot clearance from roll carts, utility boxes, and parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Brush and tree limbs
- ✓ Yard debris
- ✓ Couches and mattresses (during scheduled cleanup events)
- ✓ Bulky household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete, dirt, and rocks
- ✕ Lumber and construction/demolition debris
- ✕ Automobile parts and gasoline engines
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and paint
If cans or brush are obstructed or improperly placed, the city may either skip the collection entirely or dispatch a special crew to collect it at the property owner's expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Unlike many municipalities, the City of San Juan frequently collects trash as scheduled on major holidays, even when the Sanitation Department administrative offices and the Transfer Site are closed. Always verify with the latest city alerts.
Yard Waste Exception
While standard trash is collected, specialized brush and bulky debris collection may experience slight operational delays during holiday weeks due to adjusted staffing levels.
Check the 'Sanitation & Recycling News' section on the official city website for exact announcements regarding transfer site closures and route adjustments.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer/Fall
June - NovemberDuring the South Texas hurricane season, monitor local weather alerts closely. Avoid placing large brush piles or bulky debris at the curb if a severe tropical storm is forecasted, as high winds can scatter debris and block vital storm drains.
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing the holidays, the San Juan Recycling Collection Center traditionally accepts live Christmas trees for recycling. Be sure to strip the tree entirely of all ornaments, lights, and tinsel before dropping it off.
Spring
March - MayAs the weather warms up, the city ramps up public health efforts, including municipal mosquito spraying. Keep your property free of standing water, and take advantage of spring Community Cleanup events to clear out old appliances and mattresses.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Here's How to Turn Them Into Cash in the 956!
Even though we don't have a specific bottle/can redemption center listed right in San Juan, the great state of Texas has options! Many larger recycling centers in nearby towns or even dedicated scrap metal yards might take aluminum cans. It's worth a quick call to places like the general scrap yards in Edinburg or McAllen to see if they accept them for cash. Sometimes, bringing in a good amount can make the trip worthwhile!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in San Juan
Before tossing items that still have some life left in them, think about donating! While San Juan itself might not have a massive thrift store chain, the Hidalgo County area is home to places that would love your contributions. Consider checking out the Salvation Army or Goodwill stores in McAllen. Sometimes, local churches or community centers also run donation drives or have collection bins for clothing and household goods. It’s a fantastic way to help out your neighbors and keep items out of the landfill.
Keeping Our San Juan Streets Spick and Span: Beyond Regular Trash Day
Keeping our community clean is a team effort! While your regular trash schedule handles everyday waste, what about those bigger clean-up days or concerns about illegal dumping? San Juan residents can often stay informed about special hazardous waste collection events hosted by Hidalgo County through local news outlets or the county's official website. If you ever spot areas where people have improperly dumped trash, it's usually best to report it to the city's public works department or sanitation services. They're the ones equipped to handle those situations and keep our neighborhoods looking great.
Drop-off Facilities
San Juan Transfer Site
Corner of South San Antonio Ave & Hall Acres, San Juan, TX
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What days are garbage and brush picked up in San Juan?
The city is divided into four collection quadrants. The Northwest is serviced on Mondays, Southwest on Tuesdays, Northeast on Wednesdays, and Southeast on Thursdays. Bulk and brush are picked up on specific assigned weeks for each area.
Can I throw old tires out with my bulk trash?
No, automobile tires and car parts are not collected at the curb. However, San Juan residents can self-haul up to 6 tires (under 25 inches in diameter) directly to the Transfer Site at South San Antonio Ave & Hall Acres.
Where should I place my bulky items for the claw machine?
Stack them neatly just behind the curb line in front of your home. You must ensure a minimum 5-foot clearance from mailboxes, parked cars, fire hydrants, and your green and blue roll carts so the mechanical claw can operate safely without causing damage.
Is trash collection delayed for holidays in San Juan?
Surprisingly, in most cases, no. The City of San Juan typically maintains its regular residential trash collection schedule even on major holidays like Christmas and New Year's Day, although the administrative offices and the Transfer Site will be closed to the public.