San Antonio trash & bulky-item rules

San Antonio Solid Waste Management provides eligible residential customers with two scheduled bulky-item collections each year and two separate brush collections. The city notifies customers about 7–10 days before the collection week, usually by door hanger.

A bulky pile may be no larger than 8 cubic yards, must be within 8 feet of the curb, and must be ready by 7 a.m. Monday of the scheduled collection week. Brush and bulky waste are separate programs—mixing them can make the pile non-compliant.

The current bulky-item list includes furniture, mattresses, small pieces of carpet, barbecue grills, fencing, large appliances and water heaters. It also explicitly allows up to six car tires without rims and up to three televisions.

That tire-and-TV rule is worth noting because it differs from many large U.S. cities. Construction and demolition material, concrete, roofing, soil, rocks, glass/mirrors, household hazardous waste and yard waste are not accepted in the bulky pile.

You do not have to wait for the next scheduled bulky week. San Antonio offers an out-of-cycle brush or bulky collection for a fee. The current published schedule is $50 for one item or a pile up to 4 cubic yards, then $25 for each additional 4 cubic yards or portion.

The city directs residents to request the service online or through 3-1-1. Staff can provide an estimate, and the collection is made after the fee is paid.

San Antonio operates four Bulky Waste Collection Centers at Bitters, Frio City Road, Culebra and Rigsby Road. Eligible users need a recent CPS Energy bill showing payment of the Environmental Fee and a photo ID.

The centers accept up to 4 cubic yards of bulky material and, importantly, up to 1 cubic yard of construction material and lumber. That creates a useful alternative for small renovation debris that is prohibited in the curbside bulky pile. Current accepted items also include furniture, mattresses, large appliances, water heaters, AC units, glass/mirrors, auto parts and up to six car tires without rims.

Household hazardous waste belongs at the city's HHW program rather than in a cart or bulky pile. The permanent location at 7030 Culebra Road accepts materials including paint, automotive fluids, batteries, pesticides, cleaners, solvents, pool chemicals, fluorescent fixtures and e-waste. A recent CPS Energy bill showing the Environmental Fee and photo ID are required.

Brush has its own twice-yearly curbside program. San Antonio also offers two free bagged-leaf collections per fiscal year; additional collections currently cost $20. Leaves must meet the city's kraft-paper-bag preparation rules.

For San Antonio, start with the local authority links below. Recheck them before a special trip or unusual set-out because programs, prices and facility hours can change.

• Curbside Brush & BulkyTwice-yearly service, 8 yd³ limit, set-out rules, 6 tires and 3 TVs.
• Rates & FeesCurrent out-of-cycle bulky fees and bagged-leaf fees.
• Bulky Waste Collection CentersFour centers, eligibility, accepted items and 1 yd³ construction allowance.
• Household Hazardous Waste7030 Culebra location, eligibility and accepted HHW/e-waste.
• Bagged Leaf CollectionTwo free annual collections and current preparation rules.