Junk removal in Fort Worth, TX.

Fort Worth, Texas is the 11th largest city in the U.S. with over 1 million residents and one of the more accessible bulk waste systems among large Texas cities. One bulk pile up to 10 cubic yards is collected at no extra charge during your assigned monthly bulk collection week. Weekly trash, weekly single-stream recycling, and weekly yard waste are all collected on the same weekday, while bulk runs on a separate monthly zone schedule. Fort Worth operates 4 Drop-Off Stations and an Environmental Collection Center for HHW. Most major holidays do not delay collection. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Fort Worth residents.

Free options at a glance

Fort Worth residents have several free disposal pathways. The monthly bulk pickup handles up to 10 cubic yards per cycle. Weekly recycling and yard waste handle routine sorting. Four Drop-Off Stations across the city accept overflow, and the Environmental Collection Center handles HHW.

Monthly bulk waste collection

Fort Worth’s bulk pickup is monthly by zone, with one free pile up to 10 cubic yards. The advantage: most reasonable cleanouts fit in one pile and cost nothing. The catch: you have to wait for your assigned week, and the pile placement rules are strict.

Find your bulk week:

· Check the official 2026 bulk collection map at fortworthtexas.gov/solidwaste

· Use the official Fort Worth Garbage & Recycling app

· Call 311 (817-392-1234)

Set-out timing: Bulk pile out by 7:00 AM Monday of your assigned bulk week. Crews work through your zone Monday–Friday during your week. Late set-outs may be missed.

Pile placement (strict): The pile must be at least 2 feet from fences, trees, mailboxes, meters, parked cars, and any other obstructions. The bulk truck’s mechanical claw needs clear vertical and horizontal access.

Volume limit: One pile up to 10 cubic yards per assigned week at no extra charge. This is approximately the volume of a standard pickup truck bed loaded high. Larger piles or out-of-cycle piles may be charged.

What’s accepted: Furniture (sofas, mattresses, dressers, tables), appliances (refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers), large household items.

Important: Bulk piles cannot include construction debris, hazardous materials, or items requiring special handling. Construction debris goes to private hauler or licensed C&D landfill. HHW goes to the Environmental Collection Center.

Between bulk weeks: If items come up between your monthly bulk cycle, take them to one of the 4 Drop-Off Stations rather than leaving them at the curb.

Trash, recycling, and yard waste

Fort Worth provides weekly trash, weekly single-stream recycling, and weekly yard waste/brush collection, all on the same weekday. Solid Waste Customer Service: 817-392-1234.

Set-out window: Carts and yard waste at curb by 7:00 AM on collection day. Place after 6:00 PM the previous evening. Bring carts back by midnight on collection day.

Address-specific placement: Place carts in front of your own address. Carts placed at adjacent addresses or across the street may not be collected (drivers serve specific addresses).

Brown cart (trash): Weekly. Bagged household trash, lid fully closed. Overfilled carts may not be collected.

Blue cart (recycling): Weekly, same day as trash. Single-stream, all items loose — no bags. Recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Order up to 2 free blue carts by calling 817-392-1234.

Yard waste/brush: Weekly, same day as trash. Bagged or bundled per city rules.

Holiday schedule: Fort Worth has unusually limited holiday delays. In 2026, no changes for MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, or Veterans Day. Late-week delays apply only on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Residents are allowed two extra bags of garbage at no fee on the first pickup day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Common reasons for missed pickup: Cart not at correct address, cart lid not fully closed, contaminated recyclables (bags or non-recyclables), bulk pile blocking obstacles, or set-out after 7:00 AM.

Drop-Off Stations (4 locations)

Fort Worth operates 4 Drop-Off Stations across the city. These are essential for items that don’t fit the monthly bulk cycle, items in excess of 10 cubic yards, electronics, tires, or yard waste beyond what fits in carts.

What Drop-Off Stations accept:

· Extra garbage

· Recyclables

· Yard waste and brush

· Bulk waste (furniture, mattresses, etc.)

· Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors)

· Tires (residential quantities)

Find current locations and hours: Visit fortworthtexas.gov/solidwaste or call 817-392-1234.

Required: Proof of Fort Worth residency. Some materials may have quantity limits or fees.

Use case examples:

· Garage cleanout in week 2 of the month, your bulk week is week 4: Drop-Off Station rather than waiting.

· Cleanout exceeds 10 cubic yards: Schedule a paid out-of-cycle pickup, OR self-haul the excess to a Drop-Off Station.

· Old TV needs to go: Drop-Off Station accepts electronics; bulk pile does not.

Environmental Collection Center (HHW)

The Environmental Collection Center is the regional HHW destination for Fort Worth residents. Free disposal of paint, chemicals, batteries, motor oil, and electronics.

What’s 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

· Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors, printers)

Find current location and hours: Visit fortworthtexas.gov/solidwaste or call 817-392-1234.

Best Buy: Best Buy stores accept most consumer electronics free at customer service for routine drop-off.

Auto parts stores: AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Advance Auto accept used motor oil and lead-acid batteries free year-round.

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 cleanouts beyond the 10 cubic yard monthly limit, items not accepted, or households needing same-week service, paid options are available.

What to do, by item type

Reporting illegal dumping in Fort Worth

Report illegal dumping to Fort Worth Environmental Services at 817-392-1234 or via fortworthtexas.gov/solidwaste.

For Texas state environmental violations, contact the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Active dumping in progress: call Fort Worth 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 and reporting best practices.

Common questions