Fort Worth Trash & Recycling Schedule
Official garbage collection rules, bin guidelines, and holiday schedules for residents of Fort Worth, Texas.
Find Your Exact Pickup Days
Enter your street address on the official collection map to see your specific trash, recycling, and yard waste schedule.
📍 View Official Collection MapService Provider
City of Fort Worth Environmental Services
Phone Number
817-392-1234Facility Address
6400 Bridge St, Fort Worth, TX 76112
Collection Schedule
Garbage, recycling and yard waste collected weekly on same day.
Bin Colors
Brown Trash, Blue Recycling, Green Yard Waste
Guidelines & Rules
🎄 Holiday Delays
Collections shift one day after major holidays.
🛋️ Bulk Waste Pickup
Bulk waste accepted at drop-off stations and scheduled pickup.
⚠️ Important Guidelines
Set carts out by 7 a.m.; collection runs Monday-Friday.
Comprehensive Guide & Details
Navigating Residential Waste Services in Fort Worth
Keeping Cowtown clean relies on every resident knowing the local collection rules. The City of Fort Worth Environmental Services Department utilizes a straightforward three-cart system to handle residential curbside refuse. Unlike some municipalities that split collection days, Fort Worth streamlines the process by collecting your standard garbage, recyclables, and yard trimmings all on the exact same day each week. This weekly consistency makes it much simpler to remember when to roll your bins to the curb.
The Three-Cart System: Brown, Blue, and Green Bins
Your household waste is divided into three distinct color-coded receptacles. The brown cart is strictly for bagged household garbage. The blue cart is reserved for loose, unbagged recyclables such as flattened cardboard, clean paper, metal cans, and rinsed plastic or glass bottles. It is crucial to keep plastic grocery bags and tangling items out of the blue bin. Finally, the green cart is dedicated to yard waste, including leaves and small grass clippings. If you have excess yard debris, you may also use approved paper lawn bags.
Correct Cart Placement Guidelines
Proper bin placement is vital for the automated trucks to safely empty your refuse. Carts should be rolled to the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day, and no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the evening before. Ensure the handle faces your property and the serial number points toward the street. The bins must be placed in front of your own address, not across the street or in front of a neighbor's house, and should be kept clear of parked cars and mailboxes.
Monthly Bulk Trash Collection Rules
For items too large to fit inside your standard brown cart, the city provides a monthly bulk waste pickup service. Fort Worth is divided into specific collection zones, so you must check the official city map to determine your assigned week. Large items like old furniture, broken appliances, and tied brush bundles should be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the Monday of your bulk week. Be sure to keep these piles at least two feet away from fences, low branches, and water meters.
Navigating Holiday Service Interruptions
Fort Worth has a very specific holiday schedule that differs from many other Texas cities. Routine collections are completely unaffected by holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Service delays generally only occur during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, and typically only impact routes scheduled for the latter half of the week. Always verify the holiday schedule via the MyFW app to avoid leaving your bins out unnecessarily.
Reporting Missed Pickups and Using Drop-Off Stations
If your carts were out on time but were bypassed, you have a 24-hour window to report the missed collection to the city. You can log the issue using the MyFW mobile app or by calling the 311 customer service center. If you have excess trash or hazardous household chemicals that cannot wait for curbside service, Fort Worth homeowners can utilize the Bridge Street Drop-Off Station. Simply bring your current water bill and a matching driver's license to dispose of extra refuse at no additional charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is trash collected in Fort Worth?
A: Garbage, recycling and yard waste collected weekly on same day.
Q: How does the holiday schedule affect garbage pickup?
A: Collections shift one day after major holidays.
Q: Which bins should I use for trash and recycling?
A: Brown Trash, Blue Recycling, Green Yard Waste
Q: How can I schedule a bulk waste pickup?
A: Bulk waste accepted at drop-off stations and scheduled pickup.
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