Have questions about trash, recycling and bulk pick up? We have answers.

My trash and recycling weren’t collected last week due to the storm conditions. When will collections resume?

Residential garbage and recycling services will resume Monday, February 22 on its regular schedule. However, so that the crews can prioritize collection of accumulated garbage and recycling, no brush or bulk collections will occur Monday, February 22 or Tuesday, February 23.

Please bookmark www.ProtectSouthlake.com to follow for updates related to collection schedules in the next couple of weeks. There is a possibility that due to volume, Republic Services may add additional collection days to ensure collections are completed for everyone during the week.

Will there be additional pickup days?

Possibly. We are working with Republic Services to monitor collection volume and if additional collection days are needed, we will publish those on the City’s social media channels, www.ProtectSouthlake.com and the City’s website here.

Since we will be using more bottled water, will there be additional recycling pickups?

Republic Services is not currently planning to provide additional recycling pickups. We are working with them to monitor collection volume and if additional collection days are needed, we will publish those on the City’s social media channels, www.ProtectSouthlake.com and the City’s website here.

What is the most solid waste or recycling I can leave out for pickup on a pickup day?

There are no volume limits placed on regular household trash. However, please keep in mind that solid waste containers should not weigh more than 50 pounds and any individual bags placed for collection outside containers should not exceed 33 gallons or 50 pounds each.

Recycling materials must fit into Republic-issued container. Recycling is collected using an automated collection system and these automated recycling trucks can only collect recyclables placed within the carts. Any recycling that is not placed in the cart will not be collected, unless other arrangements have been made with Republic.

What if I have things for pickup that exceed these limits?

Furniture, appliances and brush are considered bulk waste. Residents can place up to 2 cubic yards of bulk waste (the volume of two washing machines is just over one cubic yard) with each regular collection day as described below.

• Furniture: Republic will collect up to 2 cubic yards (about the size of a washer and dryer side-by-side, for example) per resident per regular collection. Furniture includes sofas, chairs, mattresses, etc. If you have a limited amount of furniture such that needs disposal, place at the curb and Republic will collect as they can and within described limits.
• Appliances: Dishwashers, microwave ovens, stoves, washing machines, dryers, and water heaters can be placed for collection at the curb as part of regular bulk waste collection, which is allowed at up to 2 cubic yards per resident per collection (about the size of a washer and dryer side-by-side, for example). Appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and air condition units (up to 5 ton capacity), can also be placed for collection; however, Freon must be removed and the appliance must have a certification tag stating that the refrigerant was properly removed and disposed of by a certified technician.
• Brush: Up to 2 cubic yards of bundled brush can be placed for collection along your regular garbage collection. Bundles should be no more than four feet long and weigh no more than 50 pounds. In addition, residents can place up to 12 cubic yards unbundled brush for collection annually. This can either be done at one time or residents can opt to utilize the allotment for up to three separate collections of 4 cubic yards per collection.

I have furniture or appliances that were damaged due to the storm. Will those be collected?

Furniture and appliances can be placed at the curb for collection, however there are some guidelines and limitations described below. Additionally, it’s important to know that if you are working with a restoration company or other contractor, disposal services are typically included in that work and contractors should not place items at the curb for collection. Your contractor can work with Republic Services, 817-371-2424, to schedule a roll off container be provided or they can haul the waste away themselves.

• Furniture: Republic will collect up to 2 cubic yards per resident per collection (about the size of a washer and dryer side-by-side, for example). If you have a limited amount of furniture that needs disposal, place at the curb and Republic will collect as they can.
• Appliances: Dishwashers, microwave ovens, stoves, washing machines, dryers, and water heaters can be placed for collection at the curb as part of regular bulk waste collection, which is allowed at up to 2 cubic yards per resident per collection (about the size of a washer and dryer side-by-side, for example). Appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and air condition units (up to 5 ton capacity), can also be placed for collection; however, Freon must be removed and the appliance must have a certification tag stating that the refrigerant was properly removed and disposed of by a certified technician.

I have limbs and brush that need to be collected, what should I do and when will those be collected?

• Bundled: Up to 2 cubic yards of bundled brush (about the size of a washer and dryer side-by-side, for example) can be placed for collection along each regular garbage collection. Bundles should be no more than four feet long and weigh no more than 50 pounds.
• Unbundled: Residents can place up to 12 cubic yards unbundled brush for collection annually. This can either be done at one time or residents can opt to utilize the allotment for up to three separate collections of 4 cubic yards per collection.

Residents who need collections beyond 12 cubic yards of unbundled brush, can schedule a bulk pickup with Republic Services by calling 817-317-2424.

Can damaged structural items be picked up via curbside collection, such as wet sheetrock, carpet, insulation or shingles?

Generally, no. Damaged sheetrock, carpet, insulation, and other related items should be disposed of via a roll-off container. However, residents can dispose of small amounts of discarded construction materials not to exceed the equivalent of two 35 gallon sized plastic bags or corrugated boxes along with their regular solid waste collection.

Hired, licensed contractors are expected to remove any construction or demolition waste as part of the scope of their work. They can haul the waste away with their own crews or arrange for a roll off container with Republic Services, 817-317-2424.

I have a contractor doing work, what about construction debris?

Hired, licensed contractors should remove any construction or demolition waste as part of the scope of their work. Contractors can haul the waste away using their own crews or arrange for a roll off container with Republic Services, 817-317-2424.

If residents are making minor repairs themselves, small amounts of discarded construction materials not to exceed the equivalent of two 35 gallon sized plastic bags or corrugated boxes can be placed in the regular solid waste collection container.

Are there items that cannot be picked up for residential solid waste collection?

Republic cannot collect hazardous waste items, such as paint, chemicals, highly flammable substances, certain pathological and biological wastes, explosives, radioactive materials and any other materials deemed by federal, state or local law, or in the reasonable direction of Contractor, too dangerous or threatening to health.

Are any items too large for pickup, such as fence sections, large tree limbs or other large waste?

Any individual item or collection of items larger than 2 cubic yards (about the size of a washer and dryer side-by-side, for example) is too large for pickup. These items will have to be hauled to a Republic facility or placed into a roll-off container.

Fence panels can be cut down and placed for collection as bulk waste, providing they are small enough for the crews to manage. However, if you are working with a contractor on repairs or restoration, contractors are expected to haul the waste away or make arrangements for a roll off, rather than placing at the curb for collection. If your contractor needs a roll off, they can contact Republic Services at 817-317-2424.

Also please keep in mind that solid waste containers should not weigh more than 50 pounds and any individual bags placed for collection outside containers should not exceed 33 gallons or 50 pounds each.

Will my bill increase due to the increased amount of waste needing to be removed due to damage caused by weather?

No. Residents should not see any increase in their waste removal fees for regular solid waste and recycling services. Additional charges will occur if residents arrange with Republic for roll off services or for special bulk waste collection outside of what is normally provided.

Will the City be actively enforcing provisions of the solid waste ordinance related to length of time at the curb, placement of roll offs for extended periods of time, etc. during the first few weeks after the storm?

The city will not be proactively looking to cite residents for violations. However, we do ask everyone to do their part in making the recovery period as seamless as possible. You can help by ensuring you are placing items for collected as described in this FAQ and by working with any contractors you hire to haul waste away or use a roll off as required.

Is the Simple Recycling program to collect clothing, shoes and accessories still in effect?

Simple Recycling informed the City that due to the impacts of COVID-19, they are no longer collecting curbside. Pick-ups will continue but need to be scheduled in advance using www.dontatestuff.com or by calling 1-866-835-5068. Under this collection structure, orange bags are no longer required, and any type of bag or container may be used.