Houston to replace scheduled heavy-trash days with on-demand pickups requested through 311 starting March 2

A shift from route-based collection to appointments

The City of Houston is preparing to change how residents receive heavy-trash service, moving away from fixed neighborhood schedules and toward an on-demand, appointment-based system. The Solid Waste Management Department has said the new process is expected to begin March 2, 2026, and will require residents to request service through 3-1-1 rather than placing bulky items out on pre-assigned collection weeks.

City officials have framed the change as an operational reset aimed at reducing backlogs and improving predictability after repeated service disruptions tied to staffing shortages and equipment constraints.

How the on-demand service is expected to work

Under the model outlined by the Solid Waste Management Department, residents would initiate heavy-trash collection by submitting a 3-1-1 request. Requests are then reviewed, scheduled, and confirmed back to the customer with a pickup date. The city has said heavy trash would be collected within five working days of the scheduled date, and that completion would be verified through internal documentation.

• Request submission through 3-1-1 (phone or online service request)
• City review and scheduling of the request
• Customer notification of the pickup appointment
• Collection within five working days of the scheduled date
• Limit of up to four heavy-trash collections per address per calendar year

Why the city says it is changing course

Houston’s heavy-trash system has drawn persistent complaints, and city leaders have acknowledged that the department has faced recurring delays. The city has also reported large volumes of 3-1-1 service requests related to missed collections and has pointed to fleet reliability issues and staffing pressures that can disrupt routes and create growing backlogs.

Solid-waste operations have also been linked to broader budget and workforce strain, including overtime costs associated with maintaining basic service levels during periods of shortages and high call volume.

Connection to illegal dumping and disposal options

City officials have tied the heavy-trash overhaul to an effort to reduce illegal dumping by making bulky-item disposal more accessible and time-certain. In parallel, residents continue to have access to city-run drop-off options, including neighborhood depositories and other solid-waste facilities used for items that do not fit routine curbside carts.

What residents should watch for next

The on-demand plan is expected to replace the long-standing approach of sending crews through every neighborhood on a rotating schedule, regardless of whether bulky items are set out. Residents will need to adjust by placing heavy trash out based on an assigned appointment after a 3-1-1 request, rather than relying on a calendar week alone. The city has indicated that until the transition date, service will continue under the existing schedule.

Key details residents will likely need: how to submit a request, what materials qualify as heavy trash, placement rules at the curb, and what happens if an appointment is missed.

The city’s Solid Waste Management Department is expected to provide additional operational guidance as the March 2 launch approaches, including customer instructions intended to prevent missed pickups during the transition.