A public resource guide
Monthly Brush and Bulky Trash Collection by 4-zone rotation (once per month per zone), free year-round drop-off at 4101 N. Bentsen Rd (Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM, Sat 8 AM–noon, bring water bill), and McAllen 3-1-1 at (956) 681-3111.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
McAllen, Texas serves a rapidly growing Rio Grande Valley metro with a monthly zone-based Brush and Bulky Trash Collection system and a year-round free drop-off site for residents. The zone system means each part of the city gets bulky pickup once per month on a rotating schedule. A free residential drop-off site at 4101 N. Bentsen Rd accepts large items, tires, and metals year-round for residents with a water bill. This guide covers every disposal option for McAllen city residents.
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McAllen runs a monthly Brush and Bulky Trash Collection by zone, plus a free year-round drop-off site at 4101 N. Bentsen Rd. Bring your water bill for residency proof. The Rio Grande Valley region is high-priority for Freemoval given the area's housing stock and dumping pressure. Below are the options most McAllen residents qualify for.
McAllen Brush and Bulky Trash Collection
Free, monthly by zoneMcAllen divides the city into 4 zones, each collected once per month on a specific week. Find your zone at mcallenpublicworks.net/brush.
How to schedule: No appointment needed; collection follows your zone's monthly schedule. Items curbside no earlier than one week before, at least 3 feet from obstructions.
What it accepts: Furniture, mattresses, appliances, brush.
NOT accepted: Hazardous materials, construction debris, tires, electronics. These go to the drop-off site or county HHW events.
Free residential drop-off site
Free, year-roundMcAllen runs a free year-round drop-off at 4101 N. Bentsen Rd for residents to bring tires, metals, brush, and old appliances.
Address: 4101 N. Bentsen Rd, McAllen.
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM–noon.
Required: Bring water bill as proof of residency.
NOT accepted: Construction debris (no longer accepted due to weight and hazmat concerns).
Donation pickup
Free for usable itemsRio Grande Valley nonprofits accept usable furniture and household goods for families in need.
Salvation Army McAllen: Schedule at satruck.org or 1-800-SA-TRUCK.
Goodwill Industries of South Texas: Multiple Rio Grande Valley locations including McAllen.
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley: Accepts household goods for families across Hidalgo County.
Freemoval (partner-community pickups)
FreeFreemoval subsidizes free junk removal pickups in partner communities, typically affordable housing properties. McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley are priority markets given regional housing pressures.
Eligibility: Households in active partner communities. Ask your property manager.
Status: Active partnership outreach throughout 2026.
McAllen provides free monthly Brush and Bulky Trash Collection on a 4-zone rotation. The city is divided into four geographic zones, each assigned a specific week of the month for pickup. Your zone determines which week crews come to your street.
Find your zone and schedule: Visit mcallenpublicworks.net/brush, call McAllen 3-1-1 at (956) 681-3111, use the McAllen 3-1-1 app, or text “Hello” to 62311.
Placement rules:
· Place items curbside no earlier than one week before your scheduled collection date
· Items must be at least 3 feet from mailboxes, fences, water meters, fire hydrants, low-hanging wires, and parked vehicles
· All bins must be placed at the curb no later than 7:00 AM on your regular collection day
NOT accepted in Brush and Bulky: Hazardous materials, construction debris, tires, electronics. These must go to the free drop-off site or appropriate facilities.
McAllen operates a free year-round residential drop-off site for items not accepted in brush and bulky collection, including tires, metals, appliances, and brush trimmings.
Address: 4101 N. Bentsen Rd, McAllen, TX 78504
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM–noon
Phone: (956) 681-4050
Requirement: Bring your water bill as proof of residency
Accepted: Tires, metals, brush trimmings, old appliances
NOT accepted: Construction debris (no longer accepted due to weight and hazardous materials concerns)
McAllen provides regular curbside garbage collection in black bins and recycling in blue bins. Bins must be placed at curb by 7:00 AM on collection day and removed by 7:00 PM. Keep bins 3 feet apart and clear of obstructions.
The McAllen Recycling Center at 4101 N. Bentsen Rd (same site as drop-off) accepts recyclables. Visit mcallenrecycles.com for current accepted materials.
HHW and e-waste: Not accepted in Brush and Bulky or regular curbside. Hidalgo County Environmental Services holds periodic HHW and electronics collection events. Contact Hidalgo County or call McAllen 3-1-1 for current event dates.
Salvation Army McAllen
Free pickupSchedules free pickup for usable furniture and large items. Schedule online at satruck.org.
Goodwill Industries of South Texas
Drop-offMultiple Rio Grande Valley locations including McAllen.
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
Local nonprofitAccepts household goods for families in need across Hidalgo County.
Buy Nothing McAllen (Facebook groups)
Local exchangeActive Buy Nothing networks in several McAllen neighborhoods.
LoadUp paid pickup
$80+For McAllen households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the McAllen area.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. 100% of round-ups fund subsidized pickups at standard market rates.
Book a McAllen pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Other paid services
$70–$4001-800-Got-Junk and College Hunks serve the McAllen area. Local operators typically 20%–30% below national chains.
Contact the city to report illegal dumping: call 311 (956-681-3111) or use the McAllen 3-1-1 mobile app, or text Hello to 62311 for Ask McAllen. For Texas TCEQ environmental violations, contact the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. For active dumping in progress, call the local police non-emergency line.
Photos with timestamps and license plate numbers significantly improve enforcement outcomes. See our complete illegal dumping guide for state penalty information and reporting best practices.
How does McAllen’s brush and bulky collection work?
McAllen divides the city into 4 zones, each collected once per month on a specific week. Find your zone at mcallenpublicworks.net/brush or call McAllen 3-1-1 at (956) 681-3111. Place items curbside no earlier than one week before your scheduled date, at least 3 feet from obstructions. Hazardous materials, construction debris, tires, and electronics are not accepted.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.