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Public Works: Trash / Recycling Services

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1. Why do trash / recycle collection guidelines change?

McKinney contracts with Waste Connections for trash / recycle pick-up services and with with the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) for landfill access. Those contractors periodically change their guidelines to remain in compliance with State and Federal laws. When that happens, the City of McKinney must adjust its collection guidelines to ensure continued service.

The NTMWD provides solid waste services to its member and customer cities. For more information, please visit NTMWD.com.

2. What time does my trash / recycling need to be out?

Your container(s) must be set out and ready for collection by 7 a.m. on your collection day.

You may place your container out as early as 6 p.m. the day prior to pick-up.

McKinney Solid Waste Ordinances

3. Where should I place my trash / recycling for pick-up?

Container(s) must be at least 3 feet apart from other containers, mailboxes, vehicles, utility meters, poles, fences, etc.

4. What direction should my trash / recycle container face for pick-up?

The front of the container showing the serial number should be facing the street.

5. I have too much trash to fit inside my container this week, what do I do?

All trash must be bagged and placed inside the container. Items outside the container will not be collected. An overloaded container will result in non-collection. 

If you have too much trash to wait until your next pick-up day, you can take advantage of drop-off disposal services or contact Waste Connections to schedule an additional pick up for a fee.

Waste Connections - 469-452-8000

6. Why do I have to bag my trash but not my recycling?

Trash contains many small, smelly pieces that can easily become litter or food for critters. To keep your home and neighborhood free from unsightly litter we ask that you bag all trash. 

We ask that you do not bag your recycling unless you use brown paper bags.

• Most plastic bags are not recyclable and can cause a load to be considered contaminated. That is, the load will all have to be considered trash and not recyclable material.
• Your recyclables should be cleaned before collection this means critters won’t be attracted to it.
• Most recyclables are large enough that they will not blow away and become litter during the collection process. 

7. What does it mean when you talk about contaminated recyclables?

Contaminated recyclables means that things have been thrown into the recycling container that are not recyclable. If a load has too many contaminated items, it cannot be recycled and will be treated as trash. 

Common items that cause contamination:

• Plastic bags
• Greasy cardboard (pizza boxes)
• Yard waste
• Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
• Food

8. What do I do with light bulbs?

Old style filament light bulbs can be thrown in the trash. All other light bulbs (Florescent, CFL, LED, Halogen, etc.) must be recycled through the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) pick-up.

Use the online form to schedule a HHW pick-up. 

9. My trash wasn't picked up, what do I do?

If your trash, recycling, bulky items, or yard waste was out by 7 a.m. and not collected, call Waste Connections at 469-452-8000.

If your trash, recycling, bulky items, or yard waste was not out by 7 a.m. and you need to schedule a pick-up you may do so for a fee by calling Waste Connections.

Waste Connections sends out different trucks for each type of pick up. Service may not be completed until 7 p.m.

Waste Connections will verify through on-board cameras and GPS to determine whether or not your items were out and ready for pick up on time.

10. Storms or high winds made a mess; who cleans it up?

• The homeowner, tenant, HOA or business is responsible for cleaning up and downed trees, branches, limbs, fences that occur on private property. 
• Trash and recycling debris that results from a storm or strong winds is also the responsibility of the homeowner, tenant, HOA or business even if it’s in the street or on sidewalks.
• Residents may set yard waste and limbs curbside for normal collection if guidelines are met. If a contractor is hired, they must dispose of the debris. Contractors should not leave the debris for residential collection.
• A downed trash or recycling container does not qualify as a missed pick-up by Waste Connections. To meet collection guidelines, trash and recycling containers must be upright in correct locations by 7 a.m. even after a storm.

11. What happens with trash / recycling pick-up on a holiday?

If a holiday falls on a weekday, that collection day and those following will roll over to the next day of the week. Days prior to a holiday will not be affected.

• Monday moves to Tuesday
• Tuesday to Wednesday
• Wednesday to Thursday
• Thursday to Friday
• Friday to Saturday

Trash and recycling collection will not be provided on the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

Contact Waste Connections at 469-452-8000 for questions concerning the holiday collection schedule.

12. What is the earliest time I can set out my trash / recycling containers?

The earliest time your trash / recycling containers, bulky items and yard waste can be set out for pick-up is 6:00 p.m. the day before pick- up.

Placing containers outside prior to this time leads to a greater chance of creating litter.

13. Who provides trash / recycling pick-up?

The city contracts with Waste Connections for waste pick-up services.

Contact Waste Connections at 469-452-8000

14. What should I do with my yard waste?

Please set your yard waste out for collection on your scheduled trash / recycle pick-up day. 

Visit our recycling page for pick up guidelines.

15. Why can’t I throw my household cleaners or paint in the trash?

It is illegal for paint and other chemicals / liquid waste to be included with regular trash, flushed into the sewer, or otherwise released into the environment. Eligible households in McKinney should complete a Household Hazardous Waste pick-up request to schedule collection.

16. Who is eligible for the Hazardous Household Waste Pick-up Program?

To be eligible for this program, participant households must be located in the City limits and have a current, paid solid waste account with the city. Please note the city cannot accept chemical or liquid waste from businesses. 

17. If I am not eligible for the Hazardous Household Waste Pick-up Program, where can I take hazardous materials?

The City of McKinney’s household hazardous waste collection program can only accept chemicals and liquid waste from private residences within the city limits that have a current, paid solid waste account with the city.

Businesses or others ineligible for the city’s program should contact a professional chemical waste disposal company for the disposal of such items. Some local vendors are listed below, though these businesses aren’t endorsed by the city. Other vendors may be found online by searching for Environmental Services or Hazardous Waste Disposal.

• Stericycle - (972) 390-9899
• Worldwide Reclamation - (972) 485-0500
• Cactus Environmental - (214) 296-9442
• Clean Harbors Environmental - (214) 631-1660
• Green Planet - (972) 636-1515
• Safety-Kleen - (972) 438-4080