The Waco trash rate went up on October 1, 2026: the monthly base pickup rate is now $22.34, an increase of $0.41, and the extra container fee is $11.17, up $0.21, the City of Waco said in a September 25 release. The same release moves grass and leaves into the gray trash cart and starts a new pickup schedule on Monday, October 5 (City of Waco).

Photo: The Waco Suspension Bridge over the Brazos River in Waco, Texas. Michael Barera, 2016-06-25. CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source. Resized for web.

The city says solid waste rates rose to cover the cost of service, and that the increase was smaller than first scheduled because the yard waste changes save money. Water, wastewater, drainage and street maintenance charges change from October 1 as well.

What changes for yard waste

  • Grass, leaves and small branches can go straight into the gray trash cart for weekly collection.
  • Residents can also request yard waste collection up to twice a month, for up to 20 paper bags or a brush pile no larger than 4 by 4 by 4 feet.
  • Yard waste can go to the Cobbs Recycling Center or the City landfill up to four times a year at no added charge.

Households that already have a green yard waste cart may keep it at no added charge through October 1, 2027, or return it. Keeping it past that date as an additional cart brings a monthly fee. To return a green cart, fill in the city’s online form, call 254-299-2489, or take the cart to the Cobbs Recycling Center, 4201 Trice Ave., during business hours with a current City utility bill.

New pickup days and the holiday rule

A limited number of households get a new trash or recycling day when the new schedule starts Monday, October 5. The city says it contacts affected residents directly, and updated collection calendars come with October utility bills.

In holiday weeks, every pickup now moves one day later, never earlier than the regular day. The city’s example: if Tuesday is a holiday, Tuesday’s pickup slides to Wednesday, Wednesday’s to Thursday and Thursday’s to Friday.

What this is not

These are the City of Waco’s own residential solid waste rates and rules. Other Texas cities set their own; see the Texas trash pickup hub.