Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Waco
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday across the city, with your exact day determined by your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Every other week on your designated collection day (in blue carts).
Yard Waste
Yard waste can be placed inside your gray cart weekly, or up to 20 paper bags/bundled brush can be collected curbside on demand by request twice per month.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and curbside recycling charges are bundled directly into your monthly City of Waco water utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible residents facing hardship can receive utility bill assistance through the local Care & Share program administered in partnership with Caritas.
Gray Cart Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged and tied. Carts must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with the lid completely closed. Trash placed outside the gray cart will not be collected and may incur a $20 penalty.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Collected bi-weekly. Do not bag recyclables; place them loose, clean, empty, and dry in the cart. Lid must be closed completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Magazines and mail
- ✓Aluminum and steel/tin cans
- ✓Plastics #1 (drink bottles) and #2 (hard plastic containers)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Milk or juice coated paper cartons
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Collected bi-weekly in the Green Cart. You may place up to 20 paper lawn bags next to the cart. Do not use plastic bags. Loose brush piles are limited to 4'x4'x4' with limbs no thicker than 3 inches.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small sticks
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free pickup per month (By Request Only)
Placement
Place items at the curb at least 5 feet away from trees, mailboxes, and water meters. Do not place items under low-hanging branches or on top of sprinkler heads.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household junk that won't fit in the gray cart
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon (unless Freon is professionally removed)
- ✕ Construction and demolition materials
- ✕ Hot ashes
- ✕ Tires (must go to Cobbs Center or Landfill)
The first 6'x6'x6' pile per month is free. There is an extra charge for piles that exceed this dimensional limit.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
During holiday weeks, trash and recycling pickup days slide to one day later if your normal day falls on or after the holiday. Carts are never serviced earlier than scheduled.
Yard Waste Exception
Bi-weekly yard waste and scheduled bulk pickups will also adhere to the one-day slide schedule during holiday weeks.
The City of Waco regularly mails updated pickup calendars with October utility bills so residents can track exact dates.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - DecemberDuring peak fall foliage, utilize the city's paper bag allowance. You can set out up to 20 paper bags of leaves alongside your green yard waste cart. Never rake leaves directly into the street.
Spring
March - MaySpring storms frequently knock down branches. Remember that loose brush piles placed at the curb must not exceed 4'x4'x4', must not be tied, and cannot contain limbs larger than 3 inches in diameter.
All Seasons (Moving)
Year-RoundIf you are moving into a new home in Waco, the city offers a one-time courtesy pickup of empty, flattened cardboard boxes within the first two months of establishing your new water utility account.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans and Bottles into Cash in Waco!
Hey Waco neighbors! While Texas doesn't have a statewide bottle/can redemption program, there are still ways to make a few bucks from your recyclables. Look for local scrap metal yards around Waco. They often take aluminum cans and other metals, sometimes offering fair prices. It's a great way to clean out your garage and pocket some extra cash. Check online for "scrap metal yards Waco" to find ones near you and see what they accept.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Waco
Before you toss those unwanted but still good items, think about donating them! Waco has some fantastic places that could use your contributions. Check out the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Woodway Drive; they take furniture, appliances, and building materials. You can also find local thrift stores like the Waco Goodwill on Franklin Avenue that accept clothing, household goods, and more. It's a win-win: you declutter, and someone else gets a great deal.
Keeping Waco Beautiful: Tackling Messy Spots Together
No one likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be. If you spot illegal dumping in Waco, the best thing to do is report it. You can contact the City of Waco Solid Waste Services or code enforcement. They have specific procedures to investigate and clean up these areas. Also, keep an eye out for community clean-up events organized by local groups or the city. Participating is a great way to help keep our town looking its best.
Drop-off Facilities
Cobbs Recycling Center
4201 Trice Ave, Waco, TX 76710
Materials Accepted
City of Waco Landfill
4730 TK Parkway, Axtell, TX 76624
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw glass in my blue recycling cart in Waco?
No. Glass is strictly prohibited in Waco's blue curbside recycling carts. To recycle glass, you must drop it off at the Cobbs Recycling Center on Trice Avenue or use other local community glass drop-off bins.
What happens if my trash doesn't fit in the gray cart?
All trash must fit inside the gray cart with the lid completely closed. Trash bags placed on the ground next to the cart will not be picked up and can result in a $20 penalty per event. If you consistently have too much trash, you can request an additional gray cart for $10.97 per month.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator in Waco?
The city will not collect appliances containing Freon through the standard bulky waste pickup unless the refrigerant has been removed and tagged by a certified technician. Alternatively, residents can take the appliance to the Cobbs Recycling Center, where the city can remove the Freon for a $15 fee.
Does the city collect leaves in plastic bags?
No. The City of Waco will not collect yard waste placed in plastic bags. Leaves and grass must be placed either directly into your green yard waste cart or packed into biodegradable paper lawn bags (up to 20 paper bags are allowed per pickup).