Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for San Juan
Trash Day
Garbage is collected weekly by quadrant: Northwest (Quadrant 4) on Mondays, Southwest (Quadrant 1) on Tuesdays, Northeast (Quadrant 3) on Wednesdays, and Southeast (Quadrant 2) on Thursdays.
Recycling
Drop-off recycling is available at the San Juan Recycling Center/Transfer Site (317 W. Hall Acres Rd) Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Yard Waste
Brush and bulky debris are collected on designated monthly collection weeks by quadrant; items should be placed out between Thursday and Sunday preceding your scheduled pickup week.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage and sanitation fees are conveniently bundled on your monthly City of San Juan utility bill along with water and sewer charges.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Drive-Thru, In-Person, Mail
Green or Gray Bin (Trash)
Place the cart unobstructed at the curb by 7:00 A.M. on your collection day. Ensure there is at least a 5-foot clearance from mailboxes, parked cars, and other objects.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged household trash
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables are collected bi-weekly according to the city's recycling calendar. Items should be placed loosely in the cart without plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Paper recyclables
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Construction materials
Yard Waste Bin
Do not mix yard waste with household trash. Brush must be neatly stacked just behind the curb line in front of your home during your designated bulk collection week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Brush
- ✓Leaves
- ✓General yard debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled specific weeks based on your quadrant/neighborhood.
Placement
Place items just behind the curb line in front of your own home. Do not place in alleys, on sidewalks, or across the street. Maintain a strict 5-foot clearance from roll carts, utility boxes, and parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Brush and tree limbs
- ✓ Yard debris
- ✓ Couches and mattresses (during scheduled cleanup events)
- ✓ Bulky household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete, dirt, and rocks
- ✕ Lumber and construction/demolition debris
- ✕ Automobile parts and gasoline engines
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and paint
If cans or brush are obstructed or improperly placed, the city may either skip the collection entirely or dispatch a special crew to collect it at the property owner's expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Unlike many municipalities, the City of San Juan frequently collects trash as scheduled on major holidays, even when the Sanitation Department administrative offices and the Transfer Site are closed. Always verify with the latest city alerts.
Yard Waste Exception
While standard trash is collected, specialized brush and bulky debris collection may experience slight operational delays during holiday weeks due to adjusted staffing levels.
Check the 'Sanitation & Recycling News' section on the official city website for exact announcements regarding transfer site closures and route adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Brush Out of the Blue Cart
Because San Juan provides a dedicated brush pickup service via their claw machines, never dispose of grass clippings, branches, or leaves inside your blue recycling cart. Organic matter contaminates the recycling stream.
Don't Hide Construction Debris
It can be tempting to toss leftover concrete or plaster into your green garbage cart, but these extremely heavy materials can severely damage the automated lifting arms of the city's garbage trucks. Take these items to the Transfer Site instead.
Ditch the Plastic Bags for Recycling
When using your blue cart, make sure your paper, cardboard, and bottles are tossed in loosely. Plastic bags jam the gears at recycling sorting facilities, often causing entire batches of good recyclables to be sent to the landfill.
Seasonal Information
Summer/Fall
June - NovemberDuring the South Texas hurricane season, monitor local weather alerts closely. Avoid placing large brush piles or bulky debris at the curb if a severe tropical storm is forecasted, as high winds can scatter debris and block vital storm drains.
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing the holidays, the San Juan Recycling Collection Center traditionally accepts live Christmas trees for recycling. Be sure to strip the tree entirely of all ornaments, lights, and tinsel before dropping it off.
Spring
March - MayAs the weather warms up, the city ramps up public health efforts, including municipal mosquito spraying. Keep your property free of standing water, and take advantage of spring Community Cleanup events to clear out old appliances and mattresses.
About San Juan Waste Management
Quadrant-Based Solid Waste Collection in San Juan
To maximize efficiency across the city, the San Juan Sanitation Department has divided its collection routes into four specific geographical quadrants. Northwest neighborhoods receive Monday service, Southwest on Tuesdays, Northeast on Wednesdays, and Southeast on Thursdays. Residents must ensure their green or gray garbage carts are placed out early on their designated day to avoid being skipped.
Heavy-Duty Brush and Debris Pickup
San Juan tackles large yard waste and bulky items using specialized heavy-duty claw machines. Rather than a weekly bulk pickup, residents are assigned a specific collection week. To ensure service, you must set out your brush and bulky materials between the Thursday and Sunday immediately preceding your scheduled pickup week. All items must be at the curb by 7:00 A.M. on that Monday.
Utilizing the San Juan Transfer Station
Certain heavy or hazardous materials are strictly prohibited from curbside pickup, including lumber, dirt, rocks, plaster, and concrete. Fortunately, the City of San Juan operates a dedicated Transfer Site located at the corner of South San Antonio Ave and Hall Acres. Residents can self-haul these construction and demolition debris materials during regular weekday hours and on Saturday mornings.
Clearance Zones and Proper Cart Placement
Because the city utilizes automated collection trucks and claw machinery, spatial awareness at the curb is critical. The Sanitation Department strictly enforces a 5-foot clearance rule. Carts and brush piles cannot be placed near mailboxes, fences, water meters, parked vehicles, or fire hydrants. Additionally, materials placed under low-hanging tree limbs or power lines will be left behind to prevent equipment damage.
Auxiliary Collection and Neighborhood Cleanup Days
Throughout the year, the City of San Juan organizes special Neighborhood Cleanup Days designed to help residents responsibly discard oversized items like couches, mattresses, and old appliances (stoves and refrigerators). These auxiliary events supplement the regular curbside schedule and reflect the city's commitment to maintaining a pristine and inviting community.
Drop-off Facilities
San Juan Transfer Site
Corner of South San Antonio Ave & Hall Acres, San Juan, TX
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What days are garbage and brush picked up in San Juan?
The city is divided into four collection quadrants. The Northwest is serviced on Mondays, Southwest on Tuesdays, Northeast on Wednesdays, and Southeast on Thursdays. Bulk and brush are picked up on specific assigned weeks for each area.
Can I throw old tires out with my bulk trash?
No, automobile tires and car parts are not collected at the curb. However, San Juan residents can self-haul up to 6 tires (under 25 inches in diameter) directly to the Transfer Site at South San Antonio Ave & Hall Acres.
Where should I place my bulky items for the claw machine?
Stack them neatly just behind the curb line in front of your home. You must ensure a minimum 5-foot clearance from mailboxes, parked cars, fire hydrants, and your green and blue roll carts so the mechanical claw can operate safely without causing damage.
Is trash collection delayed for holidays in San Juan?
Surprisingly, in most cases, no. The City of San Juan typically maintains its regular residential trash collection schedule even on major holidays like Christmas and New Year's Day, although the administrative offices and the Transfer Site will be closed to the public.