Junk removal in Corpus Christi, TX.

Corpus Christi, Texas (#63 nationally) is served by Solid Waste Services through City utility accounts. The City uses a 10-zone collection system with weekly trash and bi-weekly recycling, with brush and bulky pickup scheduled twice annually per zone on a rotating schedule. The J.C. Elliott Collection Center on Hwy 286 at Ayers handles transfer station drop-offs. Distinctive features: monthly Litter Critter drop-off events at rotating community locations (often schools), the $2 per bag extra trash sticker program for overflow, and curbside cooking oil recycling at the J.C. Elliott Collection Center. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Corpus Christi residents.

Free options at a glance

Corpus Christi residents have several free disposal pathways. Twice-annual brush and bulky pickups handle most large items. Monthly Litter Critter events at rotating community locations provide convenient drop-off between scheduled pickups. The J.C. Elliott Collection Center handles transfer station needs.

Brush and bulky (twice annually)

Corpus Christi’s brush and bulky program runs twice per year per zone on a rotating week-long schedule. Knowing your set-out window is critical — items placed outside of it may not be collected.

How the schedule works:

· Each zone gets two collection windows per year (one in Fall, one in Spring)

· Each window is a week-long set-out period

· Collection begins the day AFTER the set-out period ends

· Crews work through the zone over the following days

Recent collection schedule examples:

· Oct 1-5, 2025 set-out / collection Oct 6+ (one zone)

· Apr 29-May 3, 2026 set-out / collection May 4+

· And so on across all 10 zones

Find your zone’s collection windows: Visit corpuschristitx.gov.

Brush prep requirements:

· Bundle brush securely

· Each piece under 4 feet long

· Stack branches in the same direction

Bulky item separation:

· Place bulky items SEPARATE from brush piles

· Crews use different trucks for brush vs. bulky

· Mixing them slows collection and may cause one stream to be missed

Appliance prep:

· Remove contents

· Tape doors shut (safety)

What’s NOT accepted in bulky: Hazardous waste, large quantities of tires, construction debris, auto parts, electronics requiring special handling.

Between scheduled pickups: Use the J.C. Elliott Collection Center or Litter Critter monthly events. Don’t pile items at the curb between scheduled windows — this can trigger code enforcement.

10-zone weekly trash, bi-weekly recycling

Corpus Christi is divided into 10 collection zones, each with its own schedule. Trash is collected weekly, recycling every other week on the same designated day.

Find your zone and pickup day:

· Visit corpuschristitx.gov/garbage-schedules

· Download the CC Recycles app (iOS App Store and Google Play)

· Call the Solid Waste Customer Call Center

Cart colors:

· Green or brown cart: Trash and yard waste (varies by area)

· Blue cart: Recycling

Set-out: Carts at curb by 7:00 AM on your collection day.

Cart rules:

· Lids must close completely

· Overfilled carts will NOT be collected

· Do not place trash in recycling carts (contamination)

Recycling rules:

· Recyclables clean and LOOSE in blue cart

· NOT bagged (no plastic bags inside)

· Empty, clean, dry

Accepted recyclables:

· Plastic bottles and jugs

· Paper, cardboard, cartons

· Aluminum cans, steel cans

Holiday delays: Holiday service delays move to next service day. Brush and bulky also affected.

Litter Critter monthly events

The Litter Critter Program is Corpus Christi’s distinctive monthly drop-off service. Events are held at rotating community locations (often schools) to make disposal more convenient for residents.

Schedule: Once per month, typically Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Rotating locations: Past events have been held at:

· Padre Island (Whitecap Blvd area)

· Flour Bluff High School

· Calallen West Intermediate School

· Westside neighborhoods (near Our Lady of Pilar Catholic Church)

· Veterans Memorial High School

· Other community locations

Critical rules:

· Residents must offload their own items (no crew assistance)

· Commercial hauling is NOT permitted (Litter Critter is for resident self-disposal)

· Bring proof of Corpus Christi residency

Find current event dates and locations: Visit corpuschristitx.gov.

$2 extra trash bag stickers

For overflow beyond your weekly cart, Corpus Christi offers extra trash bag stickers.

How it works:

· Up to 4 extra trash bags per week

· $2 per bag

· Bags must have an extra trash collection sticker attached

· Place beside your trash cart on collection day

Where to buy stickers: Stickers can be purchased at local retailers.

Alternative for larger overflow: Request an extra collection (different fee) or use the J.C. Elliott Collection Center.

HHW pickup (1-800-572-5548)

Corpus Christi offers home HHW pickup — residents call to schedule, fees apply. This convenience eliminates the need to drive HHW to a facility.

How to schedule: Call 1-800-572-5548 to schedule a home hazardous waste pickup.

Fees: Apply — verify current rates when scheduling.

What’s typically accepted:

· Paint (latex and oil-based), paint thinner, solvents

· Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid)

· Batteries (auto, household, lithium)

· Pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals

· Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs

Cooking oil recycling: Used cooking oil and grease can be recycled at the J.C. Elliott Collection Center.

Year-round HHW alternatives:

· AutoZone, O’Reilly, Advance Auto: Used motor oil and lead-acid batteries (free)

· Best Buy: Most consumer electronics (free)

NEVER dispose of HHW in curbside trash, recycling, or bulk piles: Hazardous items can cause truck fires (hot loads) and endanger crew safety.

Donation pickup, what gets accepted

Donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.

Items typically not accepted: damaged or stained furniture, mattresses with bedbug history or significant wear, appliances that don’t work, particle-board furniture in poor condition, cribs (federal safety regulations have changed), and exercise equipment that requires reassembly. Always call the program before scheduling.

Paid options

For items that can’t wait for your zone’s twice-annual brush/bulky window, large cleanouts, items requiring in-home loading, or hurricane debris cleanup, paid options are available.

What to do, by item type

Reporting illegal dumping in Corpus Christi

Report illegal dumping via the Solid Waste Customer Call Center at corpuschristitx.gov or call Code Enforcement. For Texas state environmental violations, contact the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Active dumping in progress: call Corpus Christi Police non-emergency.

Photos with timestamps and license plate numbers significantly improve enforcement outcomes. See our complete illegal dumping guide for Texas state penalty information.

Common questions