Junk removal in Plano, TX.

Plano, Texas operates a system that’s unusual among large Texas cities: no curbside yard waste collection at all. The Environmental Waste Services (EWS) division provides weekly trash collection in 68- or 95-gallon carts and bi-weekly recycling in green carts under the “Big 3” program. Bulky waste pickup is monthly by zone, with appointments required at least 2 working days in advance via (972) 941-7141. Cooling appliances (refrigerators, freezers, AC units, water coolers) carry a $25 special-handling fee. Yard waste must be self-hauled to NTMWD transfer stations, where Plano residents get 2 free drops per month. The Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center handles HHW. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Plano residents.

Free options at a glance

Plano residents have several free disposal pathways. Bulky waste is by appointment monthly. Recycling is bi-weekly with the “Big 3” system. Yard waste requires self-haul to NTMWD facilities, where residents get 2 free drops per month. HHW goes to Dallas County’s collection center. Below is each option with what you need to know.

Bulky waste collection

Plano’s bulky waste system is monthly by zone, on demand by appointment. The advantage: most items are free with no annual cap. The catches: cooling appliances cost $25, brush and yard waste are excluded entirely, and you must schedule in advance.

How to schedule:

· Phone: (972) 941-7141 at least 2 working days before your scheduled pickup date

· Online: Submit a bulky waste request at plano.gov

Set-out: Items must be placed within 2 feet of the curb or alley by 7:00 AM on your scheduled pickup date.

Volume limits:

· Maximum 6 cubic yards per pickup

· Pile size cap: 6 ft x 4 ft x 4 ft

· If you exceed these limits, schedule multiple pickups across consecutive months or use a paid hauler

What’s accepted: Items too large to fit in your 68- or 95-gallon trash cart. Furniture, mattresses, box springs, large boxes, oversized household goods.

Cooling appliances ($25 fee): Refrigerators, freezers, window AC units, and water coolers require a $25 paid pickup due to special handling for refrigerant recovery (federal EPA Section 608). Schedule the same way; specify the cooling appliance during your request.

What is NOT accepted in bulky waste:

· Brush and yard trimmings — use NTMWD transfer stations

· HHW (paint, chemicals, batteries) — use Dallas County Home Chemical Collection

· Electronics (TVs, computers) — Dallas County Home Chemical Collection or Best Buy

· Construction and demolition debris — private hauler or licensed C&D landfill

· Tires — tire retailers when buying new

Trash, recycling, and the Big 3

Plano’s curbside system is two carts: trash (68- or 95-gallon, weekly) and recycling (green cart, bi-weekly). Pickup days are zone-based.

Schedule lookup: Use the interactive map at plano.gov/630, call Environmental Waste Services at (972) 769-4150, or email EWSCustomerService@plano.gov.

Trash collection: Once per week (Monday–Thursday based on zone). 68- or 95-gallon cart provided by the city.

Recycling collection: Every other week, on the same day as trash. Green cart provided by the city.

Set-out window:

· Carts at curb by 7:00 AM on collection day

· No earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before

· Position with wheels toward house, handles toward street

· Keep carts 3 feet apart from each other and obstacles

· Don’t block sidewalks, driveways, or mailboxes

· Remove empty carts from curb by end of collection day

The Big 3 (recycling): Plano simplified recycling guidance into three easy categories.

· Plastics #1, #2, and #5: Bottles, jugs, containers (with these recycling triangle numbers). Rinse and remove caps.

· Paper and cardboard: Mixed paper, junk mail, magazines, newspaper. Cardboard must be flattened. Large boxes can be placed next to the cart if they don’t fit inside.

· Tin and aluminum cans: Rinsed cans, no foil-lined containers.

Critical recycling rules:

· Place items LOOSELY in the green cart. Do NOT bag recyclables — black bags go straight to landfill.

· Recyclables must be clean and free of food residue.

· Remove packing pillows and peanuts from boxes.

· Plastics #3, #4, #6, #7 are NOT accepted in Plano recycling.

Holiday schedule: EWS publishes the holiday calendar each January. Most weekday holidays delay collection by one day for the rest of that week.

Yard waste at NTMWD transfer stations

Plano does NOT provide curbside yard waste collection. This is unusual for a large Texas city. Yard waste must be self-hauled to North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) transfer stations.

Locations near Plano:

· NTMWD Custer Road Transfer Station

· NTMWD Parkway Transfer Station

Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM.

Required documentation:

· Valid driver’s license

· Current utility bill showing solid waste services at a Plano address

Free drops: Plano residents receive 2 FREE drop-offs per month.

Additional drops: $20 per cubic yard, $60 minimum charge.

Annual closure: NO yard waste accepted December 26–31 each year. Plan accordingly for holiday yard cleanups.

What’s accepted as yard waste: Grass clippings, leaves, brush, branches, tree limbs, garden debris.

Practical implication: Build a routine of monthly yard waste runs to NTMWD. The 2-free monthly limit covers most household yard maintenance, but heavy yard cleanups (storm cleanup, tree removal) may require multiple paid trips or a paid hauler.

HHW at Dallas County Home Chemical

Plano residents (as Dallas County residents) qualify for the Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center, which accepts household hazardous waste free for Dallas County households.

Required: Valid driver’s license and current utility bill showing your Plano (or Dallas County) address.

What’s accepted:

· Paint (latex and oil-based)

· Paint thinner, solvents, varnish

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

· Batteries (auto, household, lithium)

· Pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals

· Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs

· Electronics: TVs, computers, monitors, printers

Hours and details: Check plano.gov/EWS for current Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center hours and location, or call EWS at (972) 769-4150.

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 items beyond the 6 cubic yard bulky waste limit, items not eligible (brush, construction debris), or households needing same-week service before the next monthly bulky pickup, paid options are available.

What to do, by item type

Reporting illegal dumping in Plano

Report illegal dumping to Plano Environmental Waste Services at (972) 769-4150 or via plano.gov.

For Texas state environmental violations, contact the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Active dumping in progress: call Plano Police non-emergency.

North Texas illegal dumping enforcement is active given regional water source protection (NTMWD reservoirs). 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