Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Temple
Trash Day
Collection runs once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your assigned neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Brush and yard waste collection is available once per month by request (up to 6 cubic yards free) by calling 254-298-5000 or booking online; brush can also be dropped off year-round at the Solid Waste Complex.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste and recycling service fees are included directly on your monthly City of Temple municipal utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person (Walk-in or Drive-Thru)
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Get Cash Back in Temple!
While Temple doesn't have a direct city-run buyback program for cans and bottles, Texas has a statewide Texas Beverage Container Recycling Program. Keep an eye out for local redemption centers that might participate or partner with distributors. Sometimes, scrap metal yards will also take aluminum cans. It's worth a quick call to places like Temple Iron & Metal or Bell County Scrap Metal to see if they're buying aluminum. Every little bit helps those recycling efforts!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Temple
Instead of tossing items that still have some life left, consider donating them right here in Temple. The Temple Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a fantastic spot to drop off furniture, appliances, and building materials. You might also find local thrift stores that happily accept clothing, housewares, and other treasures. Checking with organizations like the Salvation Army or local churches that run thrift operations is another great way to declutter and help neighbors.
Keeping Temple Beautiful: Tackling Trash Talk and Tippin' Troubles
Let's keep Temple looking its best! If you ever spot illegal dumping – you know, where folks leave trash in unauthorized spots – it's super important to report it. The City of Temple Public Works Department handles these kinds of issues. You can usually find their contact information on the city's official website. They might also have information about special collection days for things like electronics or household hazardous waste, so be sure to check their announcements for those opportunities.
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.