Common Questions

Q. What residential schedule changes are happening?

A. Waco Solid Waste Services Department is implementing new schedules for residential recycling and yard waste collection services. Beginning December 31, 2012, the blue (recycling) and green (yard waste) carts will be collected every other week, on alternating weeks. The blue (recycling) and green (yard waste) carts will continue to be put out on the same days as the trash. See the schedule here.

• BLUE (recycling) carts will be put out only on EVEN numbered weeks.
• GREEN (yard waste) carts will be put out only on ODD numbered weeks.

Q. When will I be changed over to bi-weekly recycling and yard waste collection?

A. Beginning December 31, 2012, the blue (recycling) and green (yard waste) carts will be collected every other week, on alternating weeks.

Q. How will I know what week to set out my blue recycling or green yard waste cart?

A. There are several ways. First, if you have access to a computer you can check the calendar on-line at waco-texas.com. Second, beginning December 1, you can pick up a free 2013 calendar at the Waco Water Office, Cobbs Recycling Center, or one of the libraries.

The calendar will have blue and green shading for recycling and yard waste weeks. Third, a small 2013 calendar will be in the billing newsletter to be mailed in December.

Finally, you can also request a one-page calendar by calling Customer Service at 299-2612. A calendar will be mailed to you.

Q. Why is the program changing?

A. To control costs of services, Waco Solid Waste Services Department is implementing new schedules for residential recycling and yard waste collection services. Changing recycling and yard waste collection from weekly to biweekly is more cost effective and helps maintain the current monthly rate.

Q. How can I exchange my small cart for a bigger blue or green cart?

A. You can exchange a cart by visiting the Solid Waste Services Administrative offices at 501 Schroeder in Waco. Please bring a driver's license and a vehicle large enough to accommodate the container, which is 46" high, 27.5" deep, and 34" wide. (A pickup truck is usually fine.) You can also go to the Cobbs Recycling Center during the hours of operation.
If you are unable to transport the cart to and from your residence, please call Customer Service at 299-2612.

Q. How big are the carts?

A. 35 gallon: 39" tall/20" wide/23" deep
65 gallon: 40" tall/27" wide/28: deep
95 gallon: 45" tall/28" wide/34" deep

Q. Can I keep using my smaller 35 gal. blue or green cart?

A. Yes

Q. What if I am a senior citizen or disabled and need help with my new larger cart?

A. Please call Solid Waste Services at (254)299-2612 to request special collection service.

Q. What if I need more recycling service?

A. For occasional additional recycling, the City urges residents to utilize the Cobbs Recycling Center located off 44th Street, between Cobbs Drive and Trice Avenue(open Tues. – Sat. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm). Please note that the Cobbs Recycling Center accepts all curbside recyclable items plus glass bottles and jars.

Q. What should I put in my grey trash cart?

A. Trash carts are for household trash and garbage in plastic bags.

Q. What should not be put into my trash cart?

A. Please do NOT put any of the following items: yard waste (place in your green cart on your collection day), liquid paint, household chemicals, steel, iron, carpet, concrete, plaster, dirt, sand, hot ashes or coals.

Q. What if I need an additional trash cart?

A. Additional carts cost an extra $4 per month. Upon request by you, Solid Waste Services will deliver the second cart to your household.

Please call Solid Waste Services at (254) 299-2612 to request an additional cart.

Q. What do I do if my cart is damaged?

A. If your cart breaks though normal use, the Solid Waste Services will repair or replace it at no cost to you. Please call Solid Waste Services at (254) 299-2612 to request cart repair or replacement.

Q. What if I am a senior citizen or disabled?

A. Based on a doctor's certification, the Solid Waste Services employee will provide special collection service to you. Please call Solid Waste Services at (254) 299-2612 to request special collection service.

Q. What if I have a large clean-up job?

A. Cobbs Recycling Center and accepts brush and bulky waste from Waco residents. Proof of residency (water bill) is required. The following guidelines apply to brush and bulky waste drop-offs:

• Two drop-offs per bill are permitted.
• You may bring two loads to Cobbs Recycling Center or to the municipal landfill, or one each to each location.
• Trailer loads should be no longer than 12 feet, and no taller than 4 feet.
• A pickup truck with a full bed, towing a trailer with a load counts as two loads.
• State law requires that loose loads must be tarped.
• Because of liability concerns, we cannot help unload. Please bring helpers with you if you think you will need them.

Cobbs Recyling Center cannot accept tires, construction materials (such as drywall, concrete, bricks or asphalt shingles), household chemicals, compressed cylinders, or household garbage.

Solid Waste Services also offers curbside Bulky and Brush Collection Service on your trash collection day. Under the free bulky service, Solid Waste Services will collect loads that are approximately the size of a standard pickup bed (5'x4'x4'). The Solid Waste Services Department can only collect material generated by residents.

When waste is from commercial sources (i.e. contractors and businesses), from tenant evictions, or vacant lots, the Solid Waste Services Department will collect these materials if the property owner pays for collection services. To arrange for fee paid bulky waste collection, call 299-2612.

Q. What should be put into my blue recycling cart?

Yes:	No:
Plastic grocery bags All colors clean: #1 through #7 plastic containers #1 through #7 plastic food trays, tubs and bowls Advertising circulars and junk mail Paperboard packaging Cardboard boxes Newspaper (all sections) Magazines and catalogs Phone books Office paper and school work Aluminum cans (don't flatten) Aluminum baking tins Steel (tin) food cans and lids	Styrofoam Packing peanuts Pizza boxes Laminated paper Glass* Aluminum Foil

*Clear, brown, and green glass bottles and jars can be taken to our Cobbs Recycling Center located on 44th Street between Cobbs Drive and Trice Avenue.

Q. What should I put in my green yard waste cart?

A. When using your green yard waste cart, please remember to place only loose unbagged yard waste in it. Do not put trash or recyclables in with your yard waste.

Q. What should not be put in my green yard waste cart?

A. When using your green yard waste cart, do not put trash or recyclables in with your yard waste.

Q. How can I find out about the changes in collection schedule due to holidays?

A. Please see our holiday schedule. In general, if any of the solid waste collection holidays is on your trash collection day, your trash will be picked up on Wednesday of that week.

For more information or to ask questions, please call (254)299-2612.

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