How to Recycle Correctly in Fort Worth Curbside Pickup

Recycling is more than a household chore—it’s a vital component of environmental sustainability, resource conservation, and community health. In Fort Worth, Texas, the city’s curbside recycling program serves over 300,000 households weekly, making it one of the largest and most impactful municipal recycling efforts in North Texas. Yet, despite widespread participation, contamination rates remain high, leading to millions of pounds of recyclables being sent to landfills each year. The problem isn’t lack of access—it’s lack of accurate knowledge.

Correct recycling isn’t just about tossing bottles and paper into a bin. It’s about understanding what materials are accepted, how to prepare them, when to place them out, and what common mistakes can derail the entire process. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to mastering Fort Worth’s curbside recycling program. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the city, following these protocols ensures your efforts contribute meaningfully to environmental goals and keep the system running efficiently for everyone.

Step-by-Step Guide

Recycling correctly in Fort Worth begins with knowing the exact process from collection day to material processing. The city’s program is managed by the Department of Public Works and contracted to a private waste hauler. Understanding each stage helps you avoid errors that cause contamination and rejection.

1. Know Your Collection Schedule

Fort Worth operates on a zone-based recycling schedule. Your collection day depends on your neighborhood’s assigned zone, which can be found using the city’s online Recycling Zone Map. Collections occur once per week, typically between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on your assigned day. Never assume your day is the same as your neighbor’s—zones are divided by street blocks and can change slightly with city expansion.

To confirm your schedule, enter your address on the city’s official website or call the automated system at (817) 392-1234. Do not rely on third-party apps or word-of-mouth. Incorrect scheduling leads to missed pickups and unnecessary bin storage.

2. Use the Correct Bin

Fort Worth provides a standardized 96-gallon blue recycling cart to all eligible households. This bin is specifically designed for automated collection. Do not use personal bins, trash bags, or other containers. The city’s trucks use robotic arms that only recognize the official cart’s size, color, and lid design.

If you don’t have a blue cart, request one through the city’s website. There is no charge for the initial cart, but replacement fees apply if the cart is lost, stolen, or damaged due to misuse. Keep your cart in good condition—clean it periodically with water and mild detergent to prevent odor and pests.

3. Acceptable Materials

Fort Worth accepts a defined set of materials in curbside recycling. These are categorized into three main groups:

• Paper and Cardboard: Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, office paper, junk mail, paperboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes), and flattened cardboard. Do not include wax-coated paper, pizza boxes with grease stains, or paper towels.
• Plastics: Bottles and jugs with necks narrower than the base, labeled

  1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE). Examples: water bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo containers. Remove caps and rinse thoroughly. Do not include plastic bags, Styrofoam, tubs (yogurt, margarine), or plastic utensils.

• Metal and Glass: Aluminum cans, tin cans, steel food containers, and clear or colored glass bottles and jars. Rinse containers. Remove lids—metal lids can go in the bin, but plastic lids must be discarded. Do not include broken glass, mirrors, ceramics, or light bulbs.

Remember: When in doubt, leave it out. Contaminated items can ruin entire batches of recyclables.

4. Preparation Guidelines

Preparation is critical to ensure materials are processed efficiently at the recycling facility.

• Rinse all containers: Food residue attracts pests and causes odors. A quick rinse with leftover dishwater is sufficient—no need to scrub or use soap.
• Flatten cardboard: Break down boxes to save space and prevent them from becoming wedged in the bin. Keep them under 3 feet by 3 feet.
• Remove non-recyclable parts: Take off plastic film from paper towels, remove plastic liners from cereal boxes, and detach metal lids from glass jars. Place these in the trash.
• Do not bag recyclables: Plastic bags, even if labeled “recyclable,” cannot be processed in Fort Worth’s system. They jam sorting machinery. Place items loose in the bin.
• Keep items dry: Wet paper and cardboard degrade and become unrecyclable. Store bins in shaded or covered areas if rain is forecasted.

5. Placement for Collection

Where you place your bin matters as much as what’s inside it.

• Place the bin at the curb by 6 a.m. on your collection day.
• Ensure the bin is at least 3 feet away from obstacles: mailboxes, trees, parked cars, or other bins.
• Keep the lid fully closed. Overfilled bins with lids open will not be collected.
• Do not place items beside the bin. Only contents inside the blue cart are collected.
• If you have extra recyclables, hold them until the next week. Do not overload or tie bags to the bin.

6. What to Do After Collection

After your bin is emptied, bring it back to your property by the end of the day. Leaving bins out for multiple days can attract animals and is a violation of city ordinance. Clean the bin monthly with a hose and mild soap. Check for damage or wear. If the bin is cracked or the lid won’t close, report it via the city’s service portal.

Best Practices

Beyond following the basic rules, adopting best practices ensures your recycling efforts are maximized and sustainable over time. These habits reduce contamination, improve system efficiency, and support long-term environmental outcomes.

1. Educate Everyone in Your Household

Recycling is a shared responsibility. Children, roommates, and visitors may not know the rules. Post a simple checklist on your refrigerator or near the recycling bin. Use visual cues: pictures of accepted items vs. common contaminants. Make recycling a family routine, not an afterthought.

2. Avoid Wishcycling

“Wishcycling” is the act of placing questionable items in the recycling bin “just in case” they might be recyclable. This includes plastic toys, hangers, electronics, batteries, and dirty pizza boxes. These items disrupt the sorting process, damage equipment, and increase processing costs. Every contaminated item increases the likelihood that an entire truckload will be rejected and landfilled.

When unsure, ask: “Is this a bottle, jug, can, or flattened cardboard?” If not, it likely belongs in the trash.

3. Reduce and Reuse First

Recycling is the last step in the waste hierarchy—after reducing consumption and reusing items. Before you recycle, ask yourself:

• Can I buy in bulk to reduce packaging?
• Can I use a reusable water bottle or coffee cup?
• Can I donate or repurpose this item instead of discarding it?

For example, glass jars can be washed and reused for food storage. Cardboard boxes can be saved for shipping or crafts. Reducing demand for new materials has a far greater environmental impact than recycling alone.

4. Monitor Your Bin for Contamination

Fort Worth’s recycling trucks are equipped with cameras that photograph bin contents during pickup. If contamination is detected, a “contamination tag” is placed on your bin. The tag explains what was wrong and how to fix it. Repeated contamination may result in a warning letter or temporary suspension of service.

Check your bin after each pickup. If you see a tag, review the guidelines immediately. Use the tag as a learning tool, not a punishment.

5. Seasonal Adjustments

During holidays and special events, recycling habits often change. More packaging, gift wrap, and food containers increase the risk of contamination.

• Remove all tape, ribbons, and plastic bows from gift wrap before recycling cardboard boxes.
• Do not recycle wrapping paper with metallic ink, glitter, or plastic coatings.
• Save holiday lights for special drop-off events—never place them in curbside bins.
• Empty and rinse wine bottles, beer cans, and liquor bottles before recycling.

Plan ahead. Set aside a separate container for holiday recyclables and sort them daily to avoid last-minute confusion.

6. Track Your Impact

Understanding the results of your actions reinforces good habits. The City of Fort Worth estimates that if every household recycled correctly, the city could divert over 120,000 tons of waste from landfills annually—equivalent to removing 25,000 cars from the road.

Keep a simple log: note how many times you’ve been tagged for contamination, how many extra bags you’ve held over, or how much you’ve reduced your trash volume. Small improvements compound over time.

Tools and Resources

Fort Worth offers multiple digital and physical tools to help residents recycle correctly. These resources are updated regularly and designed for accessibility.

1. Fort Worth Recycling App

The official “Fort Worth Recycles” mobile app (available on iOS and Android) provides:

• Personalized collection calendars based on your address
• Interactive “What Can I Recycle?” search tool
• Push notifications for schedule changes due to holidays
• Photo-based contamination alerts
• Location map for drop-off centers for hard-to-recycle items

Download the app from your device’s app store and link it to your address for real-time updates.

2. Online Recycling Guide

The City of Fort Worth’s website hosts a comprehensive, searchable database called “Recycling A-Z.” Type in any item—such as “toothpaste tube” or “bottle cap”—and receive an immediate answer on whether it’s accepted. The guide includes photos and short videos demonstrating proper preparation.

Visit: www.fortworthtexas.gov/recycling

3. Community Workshops and School Programs

Fort Worth Public Works partners with local schools, libraries, and community centers to offer free recycling education workshops. These sessions are ideal for families, seniors, and new residents. Topics include sorting techniques, contamination prevention, and the lifecycle of recycled materials.

Check the city’s events calendar monthly. Workshops are typically held on Saturday mornings and require no registration.

4. Drop-Off Centers for Non-Curbside Items

Some materials cannot be collected curbside but are accepted at designated drop-off locations:

• Electronics: TVs, computers, printers, and phones accepted at the Fort Worth Solid Waste Transfer Station (3500 N. Galloway Ave).
• Household Hazardous Waste: Paint, chemicals, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs accepted on the first Saturday of each month.
• Textiles: Clothing, shoes, and linens accepted at the Recycling & Reuse Drop-Off Center (2800 N. Fossil Creek Blvd).
• Styrofoam: Clean, white packing foam accepted at select retail partners like The Home Depot.

Always call ahead to confirm hours and any weight or quantity limits.

5. Printable Guides and Posters

Downloadable PDFs of recycling guidelines are available in English and Spanish. These can be printed and laminated for use in kitchens, garages, or classrooms. Look for the “Recycling Quick Reference Guide” on the city’s website.

Real Examples

Understanding real-life scenarios helps clarify common misconceptions. Here are five actual cases from Fort Worth residents who improved their recycling habits after learning the rules.

Example 1: The Pizza Box Mistake

Marisol from the Near Southside placed a greasy pizza box in her recycling bin every Friday. She thought, “It’s cardboard, so it must be recyclable.” After receiving two contamination tags, she researched the issue. She learned that grease soaks into the fibers, making the paper unprocessable. Now, she tears off the clean top half to recycle and throws the greasy bottom in the trash. Her contamination rate dropped to zero.

Example 2: The Plastic Bag Trap

James from the Northwest side used plastic grocery bags to line his recycling bin. He believed it kept things cleaner. In reality, the bags tangled in the sorting machinery at the facility, causing shutdowns. After a city outreach flyer explained the issue, he switched to using a paper bag for loose recyclables and now brings plastic bags to the grocery store’s dedicated drop-off bin. His bin has been accepted without issue for over a year.

Example 3: The Bottle Cap Confusion

Many residents removed bottle caps and threw them in the trash, fearing they were non-recyclable. In fact, metal caps are accepted. But plastic caps (on water bottles) are not. David from the Northeast side started keeping caps on bottles—except when the cap was plastic. He now keeps a small bowl by his sink to separate metal from plastic caps. His recycling is consistently clean.

Example 4: The Holiday Lights Error

After Christmas, Linda placed her old string lights in the recycling bin. They jammed the sorting equipment, delaying collection for her entire zone. She later learned that holiday lights require special recycling through the city’s electronics drop-off. She now stores them in a labeled box each year and takes them to the transfer station in January.

Example 5: The “Recyclable” Label Trap

Mark bought a new snack product labeled “100% recyclable packaging.” He assumed it could go in the bin. The packaging was a multi-layered plastic film with aluminum lining—common in snack pouches. It is not accepted in curbside recycling. Mark now checks the resin code (the triangle symbol) on packaging. If it’s not

1 or #2, he avoids it or finds a TerraCycle drop-off location.

These examples show that even well-intentioned actions can lead to contamination. The key is education, not assumption.

FAQs

Can I recycle coffee cups in Fort Worth?

No. Most coffee cups are lined with plastic to prevent leaking. This plastic coating makes them non-recyclable in curbside programs. Use a reusable cup instead. Some local cafes offer discounts for bringing your own.

What if my recycling bin is full?

Do not overfill or place extra items beside the bin. Hold additional recyclables until your next collection day. Consider composting food scraps to reduce overall waste volume.

Can I recycle shredded paper?

Yes, but only if it’s contained in a paper bag and labeled “shredded paper.” Loose shredded paper blows away during collection and contaminates other materials.

Are bottle caps accepted?

Yes, metal caps and lids are accepted. Plastic caps are not. Remove plastic caps and discard them in the trash. Metal caps can stay attached to glass or metal containers.

Why are some plastics not accepted?

Only

1 and #2 plastics are accepted because they have stable markets for recycling. Plastics #3–#7 are either too costly to process or lack demand from manufacturers. Even if a plastic has a recycling symbol, it doesn’t mean it’s accepted in your area.

Can I recycle dirty containers?

No. Residue contaminates other materials. Rinse containers with water until they are free of visible food or liquid. A quick rinse is enough—no need for dishwashing.

What happens if I accidentally recycle the wrong item?

One mistake won’t ruin the entire system, but repeated errors can lead to contamination tags, warnings, or service suspension. Use the city’s online guide to verify items before placing them in the bin.

Are there penalties for incorrect recycling?

Yes. Repeated contamination may result in a formal notice and temporary suspension of curbside recycling service. The goal is education, not punishment—but compliance is required to maintain program integrity.

Can I recycle cartons like milk or juice boxes?

Fort Worth does not currently accept beverage cartons (Tetra Paks) in curbside recycling. These multi-layered containers require specialized processing. Check for drop-off locations through the Carton Council’s website.

How do I report a missed pickup?

Use the Fort Worth Recycles app or visit the city’s service portal to report a missed collection. Provide your address and the date. The city typically responds within 48 hours.

Conclusion

Recycling correctly in Fort Worth isn’t complicated—it just requires attention to detail and consistent habits. The blue bin you roll to the curb each week is part of a complex, high-tech system designed to turn everyday waste into valuable resources. But that system only works if residents follow the rules.

Every correctly recycled bottle, can, and box reduces landfill use, conserves energy, and protects local ecosystems. Every contaminated item, on the other hand, costs money, delays processing, and wastes the efforts of thousands of other residents.

By following this guide—knowing your schedule, using the right bin, preparing materials properly, avoiding wishcycling, and using available tools—you become an essential part of Fort Worth’s sustainability network. You’re not just recycling. You’re helping build a cleaner, smarter, more resilient city.

Start today. Check your bin. Review the guidelines. Share what you’ve learned. Together, we can ensure that what goes into the blue cart truly becomes something new again.