Your Richardson Trash Day — Easy to Track in 2026
If you live in Richardson, Texas, the easiest mistake is assuming everything follows one simple weekly pattern. In reality, regular trash runs twice a week, recycling runs weekly, and Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC) is for items over 50 pounds that must be requested. This Richardson trash pickup schedule garbage collection guide keeps the 2026 rules clear and practical.
📑 What’s in this guide
Richardson residential solid waste service is built around twice-weekly regular trash pickup, weekly recycling collection, and separate Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC) for materials weighing more than 50 pounds. The city also keeps a resident drop-off recycling center open daily.
How to Find Your Richardson Trash Pickup Days
Richardson gives residents several official ways to find their trash and recycling days. The most reliable options are the residential collection maps, the MyRichardson smartphone app, or calling the city’s 24/7 main number.
- Open the collection maps. Go to Residential Collection Maps.
- Match your address or area. The city splits service into route areas, so the correct map matters.
- Check both services. Regular trash is twice per week, while recycling is collected one day each week.
- Confirm holiday weeks separately. Richardson uses special holiday rules, especially for recycling.
- Call if unsure. Richardson’s public services number is 972-744-4111, answered 24/7.
Richardson Trash Pickup Schedule: What Runs When
Richardson separates regular trash, recycling, and BABIC into different service patterns. Understanding which stream your item belongs to is the easiest way to avoid missed service or wasted requests.
| Service | How It Works | Typical Frequency | Where to Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Regular Trash | Household trash at the normal pickup location | Twice per week | Trash page / collection maps |
| Residential Recycling | City recycling service on your regular route day | Weekly | Recycling page / holiday page |
| Brush & Bulky Item Collection (BABIC) | Items over 50 lbs. placed at curbside right-of-way after request | By request | BABIC page |
| Drop-Off Recycling | Resident recycling center at Westside Pump Station | Daily | Recycling page |
Richardson’s trash pages also explain that small piles of brush, lawn clippings, and other materials under 50 pounds can go with your regular twice-weekly refuse collection instead of BABIC.
Richardson Trash, Recycling, and BABIC System
Richardson does not treat all waste the same. The city draws a clear line between normal residential trash, weekly recycling, and oversized or heavy materials.
Regular Trash
Recycling
Vegetative Debris
BABIC
The city asks residents to “Think BIG” before placing a BABIC request. Bulky item collection is intended for large items generally over 50 pounds, and Richardson asks residents to limit the service to eight calls each year.
⭐ Easy Richardson shortcut
When deciding where something goes, ask yourself one question first: is it under or over 50 pounds? That one check often tells you whether it belongs with regular trash or needs BABIC.
Richardson Set-Out Rules
Placement matters in Richardson because the city uses normal pickup points for regular trash and curbside right-of-way for larger BABIC material. Using the wrong spot is one of the easiest ways to miss service.
- Household trash and recycling go at the normal pickup location for regular collection.
- In most cases, pickup is in the alley behind the home where the property line meets the alley.
- Homes on streets with unpaved alleys use front curb collection.
- Items under 50 lbs. should stay with regular twice-weekly collection.
- Bulky items over 50 lbs. belong at the curbside right-of-way after a BABIC request is made.
Richardson BABIC Pickup Rules
Brush and Bulky Item Collection, or BABIC, is Richardson’s service for large, heavy items that should not be handled through regular trash pickup. The city says this service is provided to residents at no additional cost, but it asks residents to limit requests to eight calls per year.
Common BABIC items include:
- Large furniture
- Appliances
- Bulky household items over 50 lbs.
- Tree limbs and logs weighing over 50 lbs.
- Check the weight first. Items under 50 pounds should go with regular trash, not BABIC.
- Place the request. Use the BABIC page or call 972-744-4111.
- Use the correct placement area. The city says bulky items over 50 pounds should be placed at curbside right-of-way.
- Keep prohibited materials out. Richardson will not take items like concrete, shingles, remodeling debris, glass, or hazardous waste through this program.
- Think BIG before calling. The city asks residents to group large-item needs and keep requests reasonable.
⭐ Richardson resident advantage
BABIC is free for residents, so it is best used for the items that truly cannot go with normal twice-weekly collection. Saving the request for a few meaningful items is better than using it for things regular trash crews already handle.
Richardson 2026 Holiday Trash Schedule
Richardson’s holiday rules are specific. There are no make-up days for regular trash collection or BABIC, but the city does publish recycling make-up days for affected holidays.
| 2026 Holiday | Trash / BABIC | Recycling Make-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Monday, Jan. 19 | No solid waste pickup or BABIC on Monday | Monday recycle moves to Tuesday; Tuesday recycle moves to Wednesday |
| Memorial Day — Monday, May 25 | No solid waste pickup or BABIC on Monday | Monday recycle moves to Tuesday; Tuesday recycle moves to Wednesday |
| Independence Day Observed — Friday, July 3 | No solid waste pickup or BABIC on Friday | Thursday recycle moves to Wednesday; Friday recycle moves to Thursday |
| Labor Day — Monday, Sept. 7 | No solid waste pickup or BABIC on Monday | Monday recycle moves to Tuesday; Tuesday recycle moves to Wednesday |
| Thanksgiving — Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27 | No solid waste pickup or BABIC on Thursday or Friday | Thursday recycle moves to Wednesday; Friday recycle moves to Saturday |
| Christmas — Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24-25 | No solid waste pickup or BABIC on Thursday or Friday | Thursday recycle moves to Wednesday; Friday recycle moves to Saturday |
Richardson also notes that trash and BABIC do not get make-up days on these holidays, so checking the official holiday page is especially important before putting regular trash or bulky items out. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
What to Do If Richardson Missed Your Pickup
If your material was set out correctly but not collected, start by confirming whether the day was affected by a holiday schedule or a service delay. Richardson maintains both a holiday page and a service delays page for current conditions.
- Check the holiday page first. Richardson holiday weeks do not work like a simple one-day slide for trash.
- Review the service delays page. Weather or alley access can affect current routes.
- Make sure you used the correct pickup point. Normal trash goes at the regular location, while over-50-pound bulky material belongs at curbside right-of-way.
- Confirm the item type. Under-50-pound material should not be reported as BABIC.
- Call Richardson Public Services. Reach the city at 972-744-4111.
Richardson Drop-Off Recycling Options
Richardson residents also have a city drop-off recycling center. This is useful when curbside recycling is full, when you miss your weekly pickup, or when you simply want a backup option.
Residential Recycling
Main recycling page with weekly service information and city recycling guidance
Acceptable / Prohibited Material
Official city list of what Richardson will and will not collect
Residential Collection Maps
Use city maps to confirm your normal route days for trash and recycling
Request Services
City public services support page with trash, recycling, BABIC, and landfill-related resources
Frequently Asked Questions About Richardson Trash Pickup
How often is regular trash collected in Richardson?
Richardson provides residential regular trash collection twice per week.
How often is recycling collected in Richardson?
Each household is provided with recycling collection service one day each week on the same days designated for regular trash collection. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
What is BABIC in Richardson?
BABIC stands for Brush and Bulky Item Collection. It is the city’s service for items generally over 50 pounds, such as large furniture or appliances.
Do I need to request BABIC pickup?
Yes. Richardson says items over 50 pounds must be called in or requested online for BABIC pickup.
Is BABIC free in Richardson?
Yes. The city says bulky item collection is provided to residents at no additional cost, though it asks residents to limit service requests to eight calls each year.
Where does regular trash go out in Richardson?
In most cases, regular trash is collected in the alley behind the home where the property line meets the alley. Homes on streets with unpaved alleys use front curb collection.
Are holiday make-up days provided for Richardson trash?
No. The city says there are no make-up days for regular trash collection or BABIC on listed holidays, though recycling does have specific make-up days.
What kinds of items are prohibited from BABIC?
Richardson lists materials such as roofing, concrete, remodeling debris, hazardous waste, and glass items as prohibited.
Can I put items under 50 pounds in BABIC?
No. Richardson says items under 50 pounds should go with the twice-weekly refuse collection instead.
Is there a drop-off recycling center in Richardson?
Yes. The city says Richardson residents can use the drop-off recycling center at Westside Pump Station, 101 N. Cottonwood Dr., open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Official Richardson Trash Collection Resources
Trash & Recycling
Main city page for residential trash, recycling, BABIC, maps, and service status
Residential Collection Maps
Official maps for Richardson regular trash and recycling days
BABIC Pickup
Brush and Bulky Item Collection request page for large items over 50 pounds
2026 Holiday Schedule
Official city holiday changes for trash, recycling, and BABIC
Service Delays
Live city status page for schedule interruptions and weather delays
Public Services Main Number
Call 972-744-4111, answered 24/7, for route and collection questions
Reminder: Richardson regular trash is twice weekly, recycling is weekly, and heavy items over 50 pounds need BABIC rather than normal curbside pickup.