Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for The Woodlands
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Friday, based on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once weekly on your regular collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard trimmings are collected weekly on the same day as trash and recycling.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and yard waste collection is provided by The Woodlands Township through Waste Management and funded via township property taxes at no direct fee.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Property Tax Payment, Online, Mail
Green-lid cart Bin (Trash)
The cart lid must close completely. Place the cart at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your service day with the handle facing the house. Maintain 4 feet of clearance between the cart and other items. Max weight is 200 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Pet waste and diapers
Yellow-lid cart Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loose in the cart—never bag them. Empty and rinse all containers, and replace caps. Do not include pizza boxes with food grease.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cans (aluminum, tin, or steel)
- ✓Food and beverage cartons
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Paper (newspaper, mail, magazines)
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles, jars, and to-go cups (#1-5 & 7)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and films
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Styrofoam (cups, plates, block packaging)
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use petroleum-based plastic bags. Must use ASTM-6400 certified compostable bags, Kraft paper bags, or an open 32-gallon trash can. Limbs must be tied in bundles no larger than 4 feet long and 4 feet high. Max weight is 40 lbs per bundle or container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Prunings
- ✓Branches and tree limbs (under 4 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Unlimited (Must be scheduled in advance)
Placement
Place bulky items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day. Maintain at least 4 feet of clearance from your carts, and do not park vehicles in front of the pile.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Carpet (cut to 4-foot bundles, limit 2)
- ✓ Refrigerators and AC units (MUST be certified Freon-free with tag)
- ✓ Toilets (place inside a duct-taped cardboard box)
- ✓ Large block Styrofoam
Not Accepted
- ✕ Bags of household trash (requires pink tags instead)
- ✕ Construction and remodeling debris
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Vehicle parts and tires
Bulky oversized pickup is provided at no additional cost to residents, but acquiring a 'Freon-free' certification for appliances requires hiring a private technician at the resident's expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Waste Management does not collect trash or recycling on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day. Collection routes scheduled on or after the holiday will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard trimmings and scheduled bulky collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash and recycling carts.
Normal collection schedules are maintained for all other holidays (e.g., Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day).
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryThe Township offers convenient green Christmas tree recycling. Remove all lights, stands, and ornaments, and place the un-flocked tree at the curb on your regular yard waste service day. Flocked trees must be scheduled as a heavy bulk pickup.
Spring
MarchWatch for the Township's annual Recycling Drive-thru event. This is the perfect opportunity to responsibly dispose of hard-to-recycle items like large block Styrofoam, electronics, and textiles that cannot go in your curbside carts.
Summer/Fall
June - NovemberIn the event of severe tropical storms or hurricanes, standard yard waste collection may be temporarily suspended. The Township will provide specialized storm debris drop-off dumpsters and issue specific guidelines for curbside debris separation.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Turn Those Texas Bottles and Cans into Cash Around The Woodlands!
While The Woodlands itself doesn't have a direct local buyback center for bottles and cans, Texas has a state-wide recycling program that can still get you a little something back. Many grocery stores and convenience stores across the state participate in the Texas Beverage Container Recycling Program. So, if you're collecting those redeemable bottles and cans, look for the recycling symbol and check with larger retailers in the area. It's a small way to earn a bit while keeping our beautiful Texas landscape cleaner!
Giving Your Stuff a Second Life in The Woodlands (and Beyond!)
Before you toss items that are still in decent shape, consider giving them a new home! The Woodlands area has some fantastic options for donating. Check out Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Conroe for furniture, appliances, and building materials. For clothing, household goods, and more, organizations like The Montgomery County United Way often have donation drives or accept items at their locations. Even smaller local churches or community centers might have specific needs or collection points – it’s always worth a quick call to see if your gently used items can help a neighbor.
Keeping The Woodlands Tidy: What to Do About Piles That Shouldn't Be There
Nobody likes seeing trash where it doesn't belong. In The Woodlands and throughout Montgomery County, if you spot illegal dumping or have questions about disposing of large or unusual items that aren't part of the regular schedule, your best bet is to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line or report it through their official channels if they have an online portal. They can direct you to the proper authorities or cleanup efforts. Sometimes, local community groups organize neighborhood clean-up days, which are a great way to pitch in and keep our shared spaces looking great!
Drop-off Facilities
Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Facility
1122 Pruitt Road, Spring, TX 77380
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I have more trash than fits in my green cart?
The lid of your green cart must close completely. If you have extra garbage, you must bag it (up to 55 gallons and 40 lbs) and attach a pink extra service tag to each bag. Pink tags cost $2.10 and can be purchased at local Kroger stores or the Township Town Hall.
Does The Woodlands pick up large cardboard boxes at the curb?
Yes. The Woodlands offers a separate, free Bulky Cardboard collection service once a month for each village on select Mondays and Fridays. You must flatten, tie, and stack the boxes, and call Waste Management at least two business days in advance to schedule the pickup.
Can I put yard trimmings in black plastic bags?
No. Petroleum-based plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste. You must use ASTM-6400 certified compostable bags, Kraft paper bags, or an open 32-gallon rigid container, like a traditional trash can.
Will Waste Management pick up my old refrigerator?
Waste Management will only pick up refrigerators, freezers, and AC units if they are certified 'Freon Free' and visibly tagged by a licensed technician. If you cannot get the Freon removed, you must take the appliance to a facility that accepts freon appliances or hire a private junk removal company.