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Thanksgiving trash & recycling in Houston, TX

Holiday pickup

Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) and the Day After Thanksgiving (Friday, November 27) are both on the Solid Waste Management Department's 2026 holiday schedule. SWMD publishes the exact collection and facility changes for each holiday in a news release; check it the week before.

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Pickup changes
Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) and the Day After Thanksgiving (Friday, November 27) are both on the Solid Waste Management Department's 2026 holiday schedule. SWMD publishes the exact collection and facility changes for each holiday in a news release; check it the week before.
Turkey fryer oil & grease
Don't pour cooking oil down the drain. Cooking oil is on the accepted-materials list at the City's Environmental Service Centers: ESC South, 11500 S. Post Oak Rd. (Tue, Wed, Fri and Sat, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and ESC North, 5614 Neches St. (second Thursday of each month, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Bring it in a sealed container.
Extra trash
Use your City-issued 96-gallon garbage cart, keep the lid fully closed and don't overfill it or leave items sticking out. Waste set out outside the guidelines is not collected. Carts go out between 6 p.m. the night before and 6 a.m. on collection day.
Boxes & wrapping
Flattened cardboard goes in the recycling cart. Wrapping paper, tissue, napkins, paper towels, greasy paper and plastic bags, film and shrink wrap are not accepted, so put those in the trash.
Tip
Remove carts from the curb by 10 p.m. on your collection day.

Official sources (checked 2026-11-01): www.houstontx.gov · www.houstontx.gov · www.houstontx.gov · www.houstontx.gov

FAQ

Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Houston?

Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) and the Day After Thanksgiving (Friday, November 27) are both on the Solid Waste Management Department's 2026 holiday schedule. SWMD publishes the exact collection and facility changes for each holiday in a news release; check it the week before.

How do I get rid of turkey fryer oil in Houston?

Don't pour cooking oil down the drain. Cooking oil is on the accepted-materials list at the City's Environmental Service Centers: ESC South, 11500 S. Post Oak Rd. (Tue, Wed, Fri and Sat, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and ESC North, 5614 Neches St. (second Thursday of each month, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Bring it in a sealed container.

What do I do with extra trash after Thanksgiving in Houston?

Use your City-issued 96-gallon garbage cart, keep the lid fully closed and don't overfill it or leave items sticking out. Waste set out outside the guidelines is not collected. Carts go out between 6 p.m. the night before and 6 a.m. on collection day.

Can I recycle boxes and wrapping paper in Houston?

Flattened cardboard goes in the recycling cart. Wrapping paper, tissue, napkins, paper towels, greasy paper and plastic bags, film and shrink wrap are not accepted, so put those in the trash.

Other items in Houston

Thanksgiving trash in other cities