Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Temple
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 Cart Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the edge of the street by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Keep lids fully closed. Remove the container from the curb by 8:00 p.m. that same evening.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Bagged trash
Green 96-gallon Cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must remain loose and unbagged. Place the cart at least 6 feet away from obstacles (cars, mailboxes) and 3 feet away from your garbage bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Corrugated cardboard boxes
- ✓Paper, junk mail, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Must be scheduled in advance via ttxconnect.com. Keep in a separate pile from bulk items and place within 3 feet of the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the Monday of your scheduled week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Brush
- ✓Yard waste
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per month (By Request Only)
Placement
Place within 3 feet of the curb, and at least 6 feet away from cars, mailboxes, and utility meters. Do not place under low-hanging wires or trees.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Large household items
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction, remodeling, or demolition debris
- ✕ Rocks or dirt
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Refrigerators or appliances
- ✕ Glass, including mirrors and TVs
Up to 6 cubic yards is free. Piles between 6 and 12 cubic yards incur a $65 fee added to your utility bill. Piles over 12 cubic yards will not be collected and require renting a private roll-off container.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Temple runs regular collection schedules on most minor holidays including MLK Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, and Memorial Day. Service is typically only suspended for major winter holidays like Christmas and New Year's.
Yard Waste Exception
Because brush and bulky pickups must be scheduled in advance, available slots may be reduced or unavailable during holiday weeks. Plan your monthly request accordingly.
If a major holiday forces a closure, such as Friday, January 1st, collections for that specific day will typically run the following Saturday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of the Green Cart
The City of Temple's curbside recycling program completely prohibits all forms of glass, including jars, bottles, mirrors, and auto glass. Please safely wrap glass items and place them directly in your standard household garbage cart instead.
Check Your Plastic Numbers
Not all plastics are created equal. Temple specifically accepts only plastics labeled #1, #2, and #5. Always flip your bottles or containers over to check the recycling triangle before tossing them into the green cart.
Do Not Bag Recyclables
Bagging your recyclables in plastic trash bags causes major mechanical disruptions at the sorting facility. All items inside your green 96-gallon recycling cart must remain completely loose and clean.
Seasonal Information
Spring Cleaning
March - MayTake advantage of the city's annual Spring Bulky Drop-Off and Shred Events, usually hosted in March and April at the Solid Waste Complex on East Ave H, to clear out sensitive documents and extra household clutter securely.
Winter Holidays
December - JanuaryRegular trash routes may slide due to closures on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Watch for specific announcements from the Solid Waste Division regarding delayed Friday pickups that may run on Saturdays.
Severe Weather & High Winds
Year-RoundCentral Texas often experiences high winds during severe storms. Secure your trash and recycling carts to prevent them from tipping over and ensure lids are fully closed to avoid windblown litter across your neighborhood.
About Temple Waste Management
Unified Five-Day Collection Schedule
The City of Temple collects both residential garbage and recycling on the exact same day, once a week. The city recently transitioned to a five-day collection week to streamline routing and improve service consistency. Because routes have shifted, residents should use the interactive mapping tool on ttxconnect.com to confirm their designated pickup day and ensure carts are at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
The 'By-Request' Brush and Bulky System
Rather than waiting for a designated calendar week, Temple residents enjoy an on-demand system for bulky waste. You are allowed one free brush pickup and one free bulky item pickup per month (up to 6 cubic yards each). However, you must proactively schedule these pickups in advance by calling the solid waste division during business hours or submitting a request online at ttxconnect.com.
Strict Separation of Brush and Bulky Items
Mixing your yard waste with your old furniture is a quick way to get your pickup rejected. The City of Temple requires brush to be placed in an entirely separate pile from bulky items, as they are collected by different trucks and often on different days of the week. If you mix bags, boxes, or trash into your brush pile, crews will leave it at the curb.
Free Monthly Access to the Temple Landfill
In addition to standard curbside service, residents can take one free pickup truck load of general household waste to the Temple Landfill each month. The strict requirement for this perk is presenting a physical paper copy of your City of Temple utility bill showing your residential garbage rate to the scale attendant. You can grab a paper copy at the Solid Waste Office if you only receive digital bills.
Convenient Drop-Offs at the Solid Waste Complex
If you miss your scheduled monthly curbside brush allowance, don't worry. The city offers free year-round brush drop-offs at the Solid Waste Complex located on East Avenue H. This green waste is purposefully diverted from the local landfill and sent to the Temple-Belton Wastewater Treatment Plant, where it's sustainably recycled into nutrient-rich compost and mulch for the community.
Drop-off Facilities
Temple Landfill
706 Landfill Rd, Temple, TX
Materials Accepted
The Solid Waste Complex
2611 E. Ave. H, Temple, TX 76501
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Temple automatically pick up bulky items on a specific week?
No, Temple operates on a 'by-request' scheduling system. You are entitled to one free bulky item pickup and one free brush pickup every month, but you must actively schedule it in advance by calling 254-298-5000 or using ttxconnect.com.
Can I mix my tree branches and my old couch in the same pile at the curb?
Absolutely not. Brush and bulky items are handled as two entirely separate pickups by different trucks. If you mix bags, boxes, or furniture in with your brush pile, it will be rejected and left at the curb.
Can I bring extra garbage directly to the Temple Landfill for free?
Yes, Temple residents can bring one pickup truck load of general household waste to the Temple Landfill per month for free. However, you must present a printed paper copy of your City of Temple utility bill clearly showing the residential garbage rate to the scale attendant.
Are glass bottles accepted in Temple's recycling program?
No, glass of any kind is strictly prohibited from the curbside recycling carts in Temple. You must place all glass items safely into your regular household garbage cart to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.