Junk Removal in Houston

• Regular household trash in Houston is typically collected curbside once a week in carts or bags, while recyclables are collected on a separate schedule; residents should keep trash, recycling, and any bulk items in clearly separated piles so crews can identify what goes where.
• Bulk trash such as furniture, mattresses, and non-hazardous household items is usually picked up on a set day for your neighborhood; items are often required to be placed at the curb no earlier than the day before collection and no later than 7:00 a.m. on pickup day.
• Many Houston neighborhoods have a volume limit for bulk pickup, often around 5–8 cubic yards per collection (roughly a pile about 6 ft wide × 10–12 ft long × 3 ft high); larger piles may be tagged and require a special request, extra fees, or a private junk removal service.
• Construction and demolition debris from remodeling projects—such as drywall, tile, roofing, bricks, and large amounts of lumber—is typically not accepted in regular bulk pickup and often must be taken to an approved disposal facility, placed in a rented dumpster, or removed by a private junk hauler.
• Yard waste like bagged leaves, bundled branches, and grass clippings is usually collected separately from bulk junk; branches often must be cut to a certain length and bundled with string or twine so crews can handle them safely.
• Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, automotive fluids, propane tanks, certain electronics) are generally not allowed in curbside trash or bulk piles and must be taken to designated household hazardous waste facilities or special collection events.
• When setting out bulk items, residents should place them at the curb in front of their property without blocking sidewalks, driveways, mailboxes, or storm drains, and avoid placing items under low power lines or tree branches so collection trucks can safely access them.

Because rules and schedules can vary by neighborhood and change over time, always confirm the latest trash, recycling, and bulk pickup guidelines on the official city or county sanitation website before placing items at the curb.