Getting rid of bulky items in Houston, TX

Houston picks up heavy trash every other month on an assigned day, up to six times a year, for homes with City curbside service. Between pickups, you can take items to a Residential Drop-Off Center.

Last checked against the official City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department website.

Pick your item

Heavy trash collection: the basics

Who can use it

  • For occupied homes that get City of Houston curbside service.
  • Not available to buildings with more than 8 units.

How to book

  1. No booking needed. Each home has an assigned heavy trash day.
  2. Look up your day with the City's online service lookup tool or the HTX Collects app.

Setting items out

  • Set items out between 6:00 p.m. the Friday before and 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.
  • Place items just behind the curb in front of your home, not in the street or on the sidewalk.
  • Do not stack items under wires, signs or mailboxes, or on meters, hydrants or other utilities.
  • Limit: 8 cubic yards per set-out (about the size of a minivan).
  • If allowed and banned items are mixed, the whole pile may be refused.

Fees

  • The City's heavy trash page does not list a fee for scheduled heavy trash collection.

Drop-off options

  • Residential Drop-Off Centers are open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Sunday and Monday). Residents may use them up to four times per month.
  • Locations: 9003 N Main 77022 (North), 14400 Sommermeyer 77041 (Northwest), 5565 Kirkpatrick 77028 (Northeast), 2240 Central Street 77017 (Southeast), 5100 Sunbeam 77033 (South), 10785 SW Freeway 77074 (Southwest).
  • To drop off bulk waste, bring a current Texas ID and a current City of Houston utility bill or lease with the same address.
  • Allowed vehicles: pickup trucks and small trailers up to 10 feet. Not allowed: U-Hauls, box trucks, sprinter vans, dump trailers. You unload your own items.

Sources

Last checked Oct 21, 2026. We read each page below on that date.