Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for University Park
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.
Personal Cans (Max 32-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Use trash cans up to 32 gallons located on private property adjacent to the alley right-of-way. Each can't lid must be secured by wire or chain to a fence, building, or structure. Place out by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Standard non-hazardous refuse
Blue Bins or Blue Bags Bin (Recycling)
Use City-marked blue bins, blue bags, or a purchased 32-gallon container. If using a 32-gallon container in the alley, the lid must be securely attached to a permanent object.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Glass food and beverage bottles
- ✓Paper, newspapers, and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Styrofoam and polystyrene
- ✕Food-soiled materials
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Household hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass clippings must be placed inside biodegradable paper yard waste bags for weekly alley collection. Tree limbs and brush should be placed on the front parkway for manual or mechanical pick-up.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (Call-in basis)
Placement
Place all approved bulky items directly on the front parkway. Do not place bulk items in the alley right-of-way where regular trash is collected.
Accepted
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Water heaters
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and beds
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (higher fee applies)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Sharps and medical waste
- ✕ E-waste (televisions, computers)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (chemicals, paint)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Fees apply per item (e.g., $33.30 for standard furniture/appliances and $108.56 for refrigerators or AC units). Large brush piles are billed by the truckload.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a holiday occurs, the standard Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday routes shift to accommodate the closure. Depending on the day of the week, routes are generally pushed back by one day (e.g., Tuesday-Saturday or Wednesday-Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Brush and yard waste services follow the exact same holiday route modifications as the standard household trash collection.
Always refer to the official Holiday Schedule page on the City of University Park website for the exact modified route details for your specific neighborhood.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Use City-Marked Bins & Blue Bags Only
Ensure your recycling material is placed exclusively in City-marked containers, bins, or store-bought blue recycling bags so sanitation crews can easily recognize that the contents are meant for recycling.
Rinse and Flatten
Before recycling food jars, beverage cans, and plastic bottles, take a moment to rinse them out. Additionally, all cardboard boxes must be completely flattened to maximize space in the recycling truck.
No Polystyrene in Blue Bins
While plastics bearing the numbers #1, #2, and #5 are perfectly acceptable, all forms of styrofoam and polystyrene packaging must be kept out of the recycling stream and placed in the regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring and Fall
April and OctoberTake advantage of the biannual Park Cities Recycling Events held in the Spring and Fall to safely dispose of e-waste, securely shred sensitive documents, and drop off specialty materials that aren't accepted curbside.
Summer
June to AugustWith the hot Texas summers, ensure your 32-gallon trash cans are securely closed and lids are properly chained to fences to minimize pests and odors from spreading in the alley right-of-way.
Autumn
September to NovemberWhen tackling autumn leaf cleanup across the Park Cities, remember that all leaves and grass clippings must be placed strictly inside biodegradable paper yard waste bags for the weekly alley collection.
About University Park Waste Management
Complete Guide to University Park's Municipal Solid Waste Collection
In University Park, residential solid waste is managed directly by the city's Sanitation Division rather than a private contractor. Twice-a-week garbage collection is conducted by two-person crews who manually collect refuse from the alley right-of-way. To ensure a smooth process, residents must use 32-gallon trash cans with lids securely chained or wired to a fence or structure. Collection starts early, so all items must be ready by 7:00 a.m. on your designated service days.
Proper Handling of Weekly Alley Recycling
Diverting waste from the local Hinton Landfill is a priority, and University Park offers weekly residential recycling. Recyclables must be placed in official City-marked blue bins or blue recycling bags to ensure crews easily identify them. Residents can recycle plastics #1, #2, and #5, glass bottles, paper, and flattened cardboard. Just like trash cans, any 32-gallon blue recycling containers placed in the alley must have their lids permanently affixed to a stationary object.
Managing Parkways for Brush and Bulky Items
Dealing with heavy limbs or old furniture requires a slightly different approach than your regular weekly trash. In University Park, bulky household items such as mattresses, sofas, or appliances must be placed on your front parkway and require a scheduled 'call-in' pickup, which incurs an additional fee on your utility bill. For brush and limbs, mechanical pickup services are also billed based on the truckload volume, keeping alleyways clear of massive debris piles.
Requirements for Grass Clippings and Yard Waste
Maintaining the beautiful lawns of the Park Cities means regular yard waste disposal. The city collects leaves and grass clippings on a weekly basis directly from the alley, but there is a strict bagging requirement. All organic yard debris must be placed inside biodegradable paper yard waste bags. This material is then transported to a composting facility in northwest Dallas, contributing to the city's impressive 26% landfill diversion rate.
Free Monthly Access to the University Park Transfer Station
Sometimes a major home cleanout generates more refuse than the standard twice-a-week collection can handle. Luckily, University Park residents are permitted to use the city's Transfer Station at 2525 University Boulevard once a month free of charge. The facility operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but you must be physically present when off-loading to verify residency and utilize your free monthly allowance.
Drop-off Facilities
University Park Transfer Station
2525 University Boulevard, University Park, TX 75205
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of University Park provide residential trash bins?
No. Residents are responsible for providing their own trash cans, which have a maximum capacity of 32 gallons. According to city code, these cans must have a tight-fitting lid that is securely chained or wired to a fence or building to prevent it from blowing away in the alley right-of-way.
How do I request a large appliance or furniture pickup in University Park?
Large appliances, beds, and sofas are collected on an on-demand, call-in basis and must be placed on the front parkway, not in the alley. You can schedule a pickup by calling the City's 311 Information Line at (214) 363-1644. A specialized collection fee will be added to your next utility bill.
What are the rules for recycling containers in the alley?
Recyclables must be placed in City-provided blue bins, blue bags, or purchased 32-gallon containers. If you use a 32-gallon container in the alley, city code strictly dictates that its lid must be securely attached to a fence or permanent object, just like your standard garbage cans.
How do I dispose of tree branches and grass clippings?
Grass clippings and leaves must be placed inside biodegradable paper yard waste bags and set in the alley for weekly collection. Larger tree limbs and brush must be placed on the front parkway, and depending on the volume, mechanical pickup fees may apply.