Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for The Colony
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Tuesday through Friday, depending on your designated neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected once per week on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Every Monday
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Sanitation and recycling charges are bundled directly into your monthly City of The Colony water and utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Bank Draft or Credit Card), Phone, Mail, In-Person / Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% discount on water and sewer charges is available for eligible active-duty military and veterans.
Green Bin (Trash)
Place out by 7 a.m. Lids must be fully closed. All trash must be securely bagged inside the cart. Carts must be 3 feet away from any obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable food waste
- ✓Standard residential refuse
- ✓Dried-out latex paint
- ✓Alkaline batteries
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place out by 7 a.m. Items must be loose inside the cart (except shredded paper). Carts must be spaced 3 feet apart from other objects.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7
- ✓Metal cans and aluminum foil
- ✓Cardboard, newspapers, catalogs, and magazines
- ✓Envelopes, office paper, and junk mail
- ✓Shredded paper (must be in a paper bag)
- ✓Clear, brown, and green glass jars (rinsed with lids on)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Household hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Collected every Monday. Must be in paper lawn bags or personal plastic containers. Up to 4 cubic yards permitted. No plastic bags allowed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds
- ✓Small brush
- ✓Tree limbs (cut to 4-foot lengths, tied, under 40 lbs)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two times per month on a designated Monday (1st/3rd or 2nd/4th depending on your normal trash day).
Placement
Place items in your normal trash collection area (driveway flares or alley) by 7 a.m. on your designated bulk Monday.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances (Freon removed and tagged)
- ✓ BBQ grills
- ✓ Carpet and carpet pads
- ✓ Extra bags of trash
- ✓ Fence panels (cut in half)
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Lawn mowers (oil and gas drained)
- ✓ Water heaters
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics of any kind
- ✕ Household hazardous waste liquids
- ✕ Construction materials (concrete, gravel, roofing, tile)
- ✕ Large metal objects
- ✕ Steel or fence posts
- ✕ Tires
Bulk collection is included in regular residential services. Residents also receive one free Landfill Pass for the Camelot Landfill to dispose of larger loads.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular collection day falls on one of the three observed holidays, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. Friday routes will move to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Monday green waste collection is delayed by one day during holiday weeks or severe inclement weather.
Holidays like Labor Day or Memorial Day do not impact the collection schedule in The Colony.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Corral Your Shredded Paper
Loose shredded paper creates a massive litter issue at sorting facilities. In The Colony, you can recycle it, but it must be enclosed inside a paper bag before tossing it into your blue cart.
Ditch the Plastic for Yard Clippings
Because all green waste collected on Mondays goes straight to a composting center, plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Always use biodegradable paper yard bags or your own reusable plastic bins.
Keep the Lids on Your Glass Jars
When recycling glass, rinse out the food residue and leave the metal or plastic lids screwed on. Ensure the glass is completely dry before placing it in the recycling bin.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March to MaySpring cleaning often results in extra brush. Ensure all tree limbs and branches are tightly bundled with biodegradable string, cut to no longer than 4 feet, and weigh under 40 pounds to qualify for Monday green waste pickup.
Autumn
September to NovemberAs leaves begin to drop, proper packing is essential. Rake leaves and grass directly into paper lawn bags to adhere to local composting mandates. Dirt and soil are not accepted.
Winter
December to FebruaryHoliday schedules shift during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Expect a one-day delay for routes scheduled on or after the holiday. Keep in mind that post-holiday e-waste (like old TVs) cannot go in bulk trash; take it to the HHW Center.
About The Colony Waste Management
Comprehensive Guide to The Colony’s Residential Solid Waste Program
Managing household waste in The Colony requires understanding the specific guidelines set forth by Environmental Services. Operating in partnership with Republic Services, the city provides once-a-week collection for standard garbage and recyclables. To maintain neighborhood cleanliness, all household garbage must be securely bagged before being placed inside the green cart, preventing loose debris from littering streets during high winds. By adhering strictly to the city's pickup schedules, residents ensure seamless and sanitary waste management.
Understanding Cart Placement and Guidelines
Proper cart placement is vital for automated collection efficiency. The Colony mandates that both the green trash carts and blue recycling carts be out by 7 a.m. on your designated service day. Whether you use a front-entry driveway or an alleyway, carts must be positioned at least three feet apart from each other, fences, and vehicles. Lids must be fully closed to prevent scavenging by wildlife, and no bags or boxes left outside the carts will be serviced on regular collection days.
Dedicated Green Waste and Composting Protocols
Unlike many municipalities, The Colony designates every Monday strictly for green waste collection. Residents are encouraged to participate by placing grass, weeds, leaves, and small brush in biodegradable paper lawn bags or personal plastic containers—never in plastic bags. Because this organic material is routed directly to a composting facility to conserve landfill space, avoiding plastic contamination is crucial. Larger limbs must be cut to four-foot lengths, tied securely, and kept under 40 pounds.
Navigating Bulk Debris and Landfill Privileges
When major home cleanouts occur, residents can rely on the bi-weekly bulk trash service, scheduled on specific Mondays tied to their regular collection routes. Households are allotted up to four cubic yards of bulky materials per pickup. For projects that exceed this limit or involve restricted materials like heavy construction debris, the city offers Landfill Passes. These passes allow residents one free trip to the Camelot Landfill, providing an excellent alternative for disposing of massive quantities safely.
Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Disposal
To protect local water systems and soil, The Colony operates a dedicated Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Electronics Collection Center located near Fire Station #2. Open on specific days throughout the month, this facility accepts everything from old paint and pesticides to obsolete televisions and computer monitors. Access requires proof of residency, ensuring these specialized disposal resources remain exclusively available to the local community.
Drop-off Facilities
The Colony HHW, Electronics, Needles and Medication Collection Center
5576 North Colony Blvd, The Colony, TX 75056 (Parking lot East of Fire Station #2)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules for placing trash and recycling carts out in The Colony?
Set your green trash and blue recycle carts out by 7 a.m. on your designated day. They must be placed at the alley edge or driveway flares, facing the street/alley, and at least three feet apart from other objects. All trash must be bagged inside the cart with the lids fully closed. Bags outside the cart will not be collected.
How do I safely dispose of a lawn mower or refrigerator during bulk collection?
You can place these items out on your designated bulk Monday. However, you must drain all oil and gas from lawn mowers first. For refrigerators, all Freon must be professionally removed by a certified technician, and the official paperwork must be attached to the appliance.
Where can I recycle my old TV and leftover paint?
Electronics and liquid paint cannot go in your curbside bins. Take them to the HHW Collection Center at 5576 North Colony Blvd. It is open on the first Monday, third Wednesday, and third Saturday of each month. Bring your driver's license or a current utility bill for proof of residency.
What happens if I have construction debris that bulk trash won't take?
The city does not collect heavy construction materials like concrete, roofing, or tile at the curb. Instead, residents can utilize a Landfill Pass, which allows one free trip to the Camelot Landfill to dispose of large loads or unaccepted bulk items.