Trash & Recycling

The green-lid cart is designated for trash collection only and should not be used for recyclables or yard waste.

• Food scraps and waste
• Plastic bags and wrappers
• Styrofoam products (cups, plates, etc.)
• Used tissues, napkins and paper towels
• Non-recyclable plastic items such as solo cups
• Non-recyclable glass or ceramics
• Pet waste and diapers

The yellow-lid cart is for recycling only and should not be used for trash, food waste, plastic bags or yard waste.

• Cans (aluminum, tin or steel)
• Cartons (food & beverage cartons)
• Glass bottles and jars
• Paper (newspaper, mail & flattened cardboard)
• Plastic bottles, jars, containers and to-go cups (#1-5 & 7)

Remember: Only clean, dry, and empty items go into the recycling container. Rinse and replace lids on all applicable items. When in doubt, throw it out! 

Learn More About Curbside Recycling

Did you receive a green tag on your cart? Waste Management issues green tags to notify residents of violations. If you received a green tag, please correct the violation before your next service day to ensure service the following week. Waste Management will return on your next service day. No courtesy returns will be granted.

To schedule a cart repair/replacement, please contact Waste Management at 1-800-800-5804 or cssatex@wm.com, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For issues that have not been resolved through Waste Management customer service, please contact The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800 for additional assistance.

Waste Management provides pickup Monday through Friday each week. The Woodlands is divided into different zones based on the day of the week. Use the Address Lookup tool to find your trash and recycling pickup day. Simply enter your address to view your service details.

Address Lookup

Holidays
Waste Management will not collect trash or recycling on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day. 

2025 Holiday Schedule

General

• Items must be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your service day.
• Trucks must have clear access to your street and carts to provide service. Ensure tree limbs on your property are trimmed to provide 14 feet of clearance over the street. Avoid parking on the street on your service day.
• NO household hazardous waste or construction debris.

Trash and Recycle Cart

• Must use wheeled carts provided by Waste Management.
• Place carts at the curb with handles facing the house.
• 4 feet between the cart and other items are needed for the automated arm to operate. See photo above.
• Cart lid must close completely.
• The weight limit for each cart is 200 pounds.

Extra Trash

Additional bags or boxes of household trash are not accepted for bulky oversized trash. Extra bags of household trash require a pink tag, available for $2.10 each at Kroger Customer Service counters in The Woodlands, The Woodlands Township Town Hall and The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park. These bags do not need to be scheduled for pick-up.

• Bags must be no larger than 55 gallons, no heavier than 40lbs.
• Place bags beside trash cart, not on top of cart lid.
• Trash cart must be at the curb beside the bags for the driver to load into the truck.

To report a missed pickup or service issue, schedule a cart repair/replacement, or schedule a bulk trash pickup, please contact Waste Management at 1-800-800-5804 or cssatex@wm.com, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you want to report an issue after hours or on the weekend, please email Waste Management at cssatex@wm.com. Include your name, street address, service day, Village, and issue details. Your message will be returned Monday morning.

For issues that have not been resolved through Waste Management customer service, please contact The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800 for additional assistance.

Bulky trash collection is available for large household items that don’t fit in your regular trash cart, such as furniture, mattresses and appliances. This service is provided as a courtesy to residents at no additional cost and must be scheduled in advance. Explore more to learn what is accepted and how to schedule a pickup.

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Oversized or excess cardboard boxes can be picked up at your curb at no additional cost. Schedule your pickup at least two business days before your village's designated collection day. View pickup dates, schedule a collection and learn more about the service.

Schedule Bulky Cardboard Pickup

Bulky cardboard boxes too numerous or large to fit the cart must be scheduled at least 2 business days before your designated cardboard day. Contact Waste Management at 1-800-800-5804 or cssatex@wm.com to schedule. This service is provided at no additional cost.

• Flatten, tie and stack boxes

• Set items at the curb before 7 a.m. on the scheduled pick-up day beside carts. Do not lean boxes on or obstruct carts.

• Only cardboard will be collected – No Styrofoam packaging, packing peanuts, bulky trash items or plastic film. Packing paper should be folded and placed in your recycling cart for normal recycling cart service.

Bulky Cardboard Schedule

Bulky cardboard must be scheduled at least two business days before dedicated pickup day. The service is provided to each neighborhood once a month on designated days.

Bulky cardboard collection occurs on select Mondays and Fridays.

View 2026 Cardboard Collection Schedule Calendar(PDF, 260KB)

2026 Cardboard Collection Schedule

Cardboard Collection Dates for Alden Bridge, Cochran's Crossing, and Sterling Ridge:

Select Mondays: January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9 and December 14

Cardboard Collection Dates for Creekside Park, College Park, Grogan's Mill, Indian Springs, Panther Creek, Research Forest and Town Center:

Select Fridays: January 23, February 20, March 20, April 24, May 22, June 19, July 24, August 21, September 25, October 23, November 20 and December 26 (shifted to a Saturday due to the holiday)

Yard trimmings are collected curbside on the same day as your trash and recycling. This includes grass clippings, leaves, and small branches prepared according to service guidelines. Proper set-out helps ensure timely collection and supports eco-friendly waste management.

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Storms are common in The Woodlands, and due to our location in a hurricane-prone zone and the community’s heavily wooded environment, significant debris—such as fallen branches, fencing, and vegetation—can accumulate quickly.

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If an item cannot be placed in your trash or recycling cart, consider taking it to a local disposal or recycling facility. Various locations accept items such as electronics, chemicals, household hazardous waste, and other materials not suitable for curbside collection.

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