Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Universal City
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice per week depending on your designated neighborhood zone (routes run Monday through Saturday).
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on your designated collection day using the blue-lid cart.
Yard Waste
Brush and bulk waste are collected once per week at the curb (limited to 4 cubic yards; limbs must be bundled and leaves/grass bagged).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste services are handled by Frontier Waste Solutions and are bundled directly onto your monthly Universal City water and sewer bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Frontier Waste cart with a yellow lid Bin (Trash)
Set out before 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection days. All trash must be securely bagged and tied. Place the cart at least 3 feet from cars, mailboxes, and other carts with the handle facing your home.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable household items
Frontier Waste cart with a blue lid Bin (Recycling)
Set out before 7:00 a.m. Place clean and empty items loosely inside the cart. Do NOT bag recyclables. Overstuffing may prevent the cart from fully emptying.
Accepted Items
- ✓Broken down cardboard boxes
- ✓Empty and clean plastic containers
- ✓Paper and mail
- ✓Metal cans (aluminum and tin)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Bagged items
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Collected once a week alongside bulk waste. Limbs must be tied with string or twine into bundles. Loose grass clippings and leaves are not accepted; they must be bagged. Total pile cannot exceed 4 cubic yards.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged grass clippings
- ✓Bagged leaves
- ✓Bundled tree limbs (under 4 feet long and 4 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a week on your designated bulk and brush collection day.
Placement
Place items at the front curb only. Maintain at least a 3-foot clearance from carts, parked cars, and mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ White goods (freon removed and certified)
- ✓ General bulk household items
- ✓ Bagged grass and leaves
- ✓ Tied and bundled limbs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Debris from paid tree contractors or landscapers
- ✕ Appliances with freon still inside
- ✕ Hazardous waste or chemicals
- ✕ Items placed in rear alleys
Bulk collection of up to 4 cubic yards is included in your standard utility fee. If you need extra trash or recycling carts, they can be ordered through the City Utility Billing Department for an additional monthly fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled service day falls on an observed holiday, your service day will be pushed one day later for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The weekly bulk and brush collection route will also be delayed by one day if it falls on or after a major observed holiday.
Minor holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day generally do not disrupt the standard Frontier Waste collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MaySpring trimming generates a lot of brush, but remember that paid landscapers and tree contractors must haul away their own debris. Frontier Waste will only collect up to 4 cubic yards of resident-generated, properly bundled brush.
Summer
June - AugustTexas summers can cause unbagged garbage to smell quickly and attract pests. Since trash is collected twice a week, ensure every piece of waste is tightly bagged and tied before tossing it into your yellow-lidded cart.
Winter
November - JanuaryDuring the busy holiday season, make sure you break down all cardboard boxes so they fit loosely in your recycling cart. Note that service will be delayed by one day following Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans to Cash In? Here's How in the Universal City Area!
While Universal City doesn't have specific local buyback centers listed, don't let those empty bottles and cans go to waste! Texas has a state-wide bottle redemption program, though many smaller redemption centers have closed. Your best bet is to check out larger scrap metal yards in nearby San Antonio. Places like Eagle Metal & Recycling or T.T. Metal Recyclers often buy aluminum cans and other metals. It's always a good idea to call ahead and see what they're currently purchasing and their prices. Every bit helps, right?
Give Your Old Stuff a New Home: Donation Spots Near You
Before you toss perfectly good items, think about giving them a second life! For clothing, furniture, and household goods, the Goodwill on Pat Booker Road in Universal City is a fantastic option. There's also the Salvation Army Thrift Store on FM 78, which is super convenient for dropping off donations. If you've got larger furniture or appliances, consider checking with Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the wider San Antonio area; they're always looking for good usable items to help fund their programs.
Keeping Our Streets Clean: What to Do About Illegal Dumping
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be! If you happen to see illegal dumping happening in or around Universal City, the best thing to do is report it. You can contact the Universal City Public Works Department. They handle the cleanup and can investigate. For bigger community efforts, keep an eye out for city-sponsored clean-up days, often announced on the city's official website or social media. Working together keeps our neighborhoods looking great!
Drop-off Facilities
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Solutions
At-home pickup service coordinated online
Materials Accepted
Universal City Utility Billing Office
2150 Universal City Blvd, Universal City, TX 78148
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Universal City collect household trash and recycling?
Frontier Waste Solutions collects standard household trash twice a week and single-stream recycling once a week. You must place your carts at the curb before 7:00 a.m. on your designated service days.
How much bulk trash or brush can I put out each week?
You are allowed to set out up to 4 cubic yards per week, which is approximately the volume of a large refrigerator. Remember that tree limbs must be tied in bundles no longer than four feet, and grass clippings must be bagged.
Can my landscaper leave branches at the curb for the city to pick up?
No. The city’s guidelines explicitly state that paid tree contractors and commercial landscapers are responsible for hauling away their own debris. Frontier Waste will not service brush cut by professional companies.
Who do I contact to get an extra trash or recycling cart?
If you need an additional yellow-lidded trash cart or a blue-lidded recycling cart, you must contact the Universal City Utility Billing Office at 210-619-0713. An additional monthly fee will be applied to your regular utility bill.