The City of Houston is overhauling the way it collects heavy trash.

City officials say the change is designed to reduce delays,clear backlogs,and create a more efficient and accountable service.

Appointments open soon,with the first scheduled heavy trash pickups planned for Spring 2026.

In the meantime,residents can continue using City drop-off and neighborhood depository sites across Houston for heavy trash,recycling,and household items.

This transition is about working smarter,responding faster,and delivering the service residents have asked for,” said Houston City Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum in her District K newsletter.

What’s Changing?

Under the previous system,solid waste crews drove every street on set heavy trash days—whether there was trash out or not.This approach led to delays and backlogs,leaving residents frustrated by unpredictable service.

Under the scheduled model,crews go out only when a resident has requested service.

“This program allows us to at least get data to show that once we sit down,going after the work orders,what we can produce,” Solid Waste Director Larius Hassen told Channel 13 news.“I can actually get some data on what is actually needed to staff it appropriately.”

How to Schedule a Heavy Trash Pickup

• Call 311 to submit a service request.
• Your request will be reviewed and scheduled by the City.
• You will be notified of your pickup date by phone or email.
• Once your appointment is scheduled,collection will be completed within five working days of the scheduled date.
• After pickup,the City will verify completion.
• Residents are encouraged to confirm the exact volume limits when they call 311.

While the on-demand program was expected to roll out on March 2,officials say additional details on scheduling and implementation are still being finalized,and a start date will be announced soon.

What Can Be Set Out as Heavy Trash?

The system covers large,non-routine items that cannot be handled through regular garbage collection,including:

• Furniture
• Appliances
• Other bulk household items and large heavy trash

Important:Residential contractors are responsible for hauling away their own debris.Construction,remodeling,or landscaping contractors should not leave trash at the curb for City pickup.

Until the new program is fully underway—and even after it starts—residents can continue using City drop-off sites and neighborhood depository centers for heavy trash,recycling,and household items.

Locations in the Southwest District area include:

• Southwest Neighborhood Depository
  10785 SW Freeway,Houston,TX 77074
• Westpark Recycling Center
  5900 Westpark,Houston,TX 77057

Neighborhood Depositories are open Tuesday through Saturday,9:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m.and closed on Sunday and Monday.More information can be found here:https://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/depository.html.

Council Member Edward Pollard,who represents District J,has expressed skepticism about the new system,saying,“I don’t think this is going to work” in a video he posted on social media.

Pollard’s office has proactively hired private crews to supplement the City’s Solid Waste Department,which the District J residents can request directly.

District J residents may email[email protected]with the subject line “SMT Request” and should include:

• Address of the location
• Description of the request
• Photo,if possible

Dig deeper into the proposed new systemhere.

Residents are also encouraged to call 311 with questions and follow updates from their city council district offices.Also,be sure to sign up for the Southwest Management District newsletter on ourwebsiteto get news you can use from our office.