Municipal drop-off centers will close during the holidays. For Thanksgiving, the usual Thursday and Friday routes will be moved to November 27 and 28.
Houston’s garbage and recycling collection will be suspended on Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 26, 2026, for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day, respectively. The city will also modify the routes for the last week of the month.
The changes apply to households directly served by the city’s Solid Waste Management department. Homes with private collection and residents of other municipalities in the metro area should consult their provider’s calendar. For recycling, the adjustment applies when it coincides with the day assigned to each residence.
November Garbage and Recycling Collection Schedule
Houston Public Works confirmed the following changes to residential service:
| Date | Municipal Collection | Centers and Offices |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, November 11 | No service due to Veterans Day. | Closed. |
| Thursday, November 12 | Regular schedule resumes. | Reopen. |
| Thursday, November 26 | No service due to Thanksgiving. | Closed. |
| Friday, November 27 | Rerouted collections will be those originally scheduled for Thursday, November 26. | Will remain closed. |
| Saturday, November 28 | Rerouted collections will be those originally scheduled for Friday, November 27. | Reopen. |
The official Houston calendar confirms that there will be curbside collection on Friday the 27th, although residential drop-off centers, recycling facilities, and administrative offices will remain closed.
Wednesday 11 Routes Require Per-Address Consultation
During Veterans Day, there will be no municipal collection. The regular service will resume on Thursday, November 12, but the city did not announce a general replacement date for the Wednesday, November 11 routes.
Households whose collection day is Wednesday should check their address in HTX Collects, the city tool that allows viewing personalized calendars and receiving service alerts. Do not assume that all suspended routes will be serviced automatically on Thursday.
Heavy Trash and Yard Waste: Next Collection in December
Houston also does not have heavy trash or yard waste collection scheduled for November. The city calendar states that these services are in even months for eligible addresses, so the next collection is scheduled for December.
The exact week depends on the home and can be checked via HTX Collects. This program is distinct from the regular garbage and recycling routes that change during Thanksgiving.
How to Check a Route or Report a Pending Garbage Collection
Before submitting a report for missed service, Houston recommends checking the corresponding day in HTX Collects and verifying whether there is a holiday adjustment.
If collection did not occur on the scheduled date, residents can contact Houston 311 or call 713-837-0311 to report the issue.
Green recycling containers should be placed on the curb after 6 p.m. the day before and before 7 a.m. on the service day, in accordance with the city’s recycling instructions.
Those who need to bring electronics, paint, or chemicals to a specialized facility can consult the Houston recycling centers guide. The holiday closures announced should be taken into account before visiting a facility.
