Whether you're a longtime resident or just moved into the Ella Crossing community, understanding how to properly sort your household waste and recyclables is key to keeping our neighborhood clean, efficient, and environmentally responsible.

Ella Crossing Trash & Recycling Services: What You Need to Know

Trash collection in Ella Crossing is handled by Best Trash and occurs twice weekly—on Mondays and Thursdays. But while most households keep track of trash pickup days, questions often arise about recycling: what’s accepted, how to prepare items, and what to avoid.

Here’s your go-to guide for navigating Ella Crossing’s recycling program with confidence.

Recycling Days Made Simple

Ella Crossing's recycling program is part of the Best Trash collection service. All recyclables should be placed curbside by 6:30 AM on your regular collection day—just like trash.

To ensure smooth pickup:

• Recyclables must be placed loosely in your bin (not bagged).
• Items should be empty, dry, and clean.
• If your bin is full, use a 30–50 gallon container or clear bag labeled “RECYCLE” on all sides and set it next to the bin.

Accepted Recyclables

Recyclables are grouped into four categories. All items should be free of food residue, rinsed, and air-dried before being placed in the bin:

Paper & Cardboard

Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, phone books
Paper bags, cereal boxes, milk cartons
Cardboard boxes (flattened), office paper

Plastics

Bottles and containers for water, soda, milk, juice
Shampoo and detergent bottles, tubs, jars, buckets

Metals

Aluminum cans, foil, foil trays
Steel/tin food cans, old pots and pans

Glass

Clear and colored glass jars and bottles

• Pro Tip: Remove all lids and caps before recycling. Caps are typically made of different materials and can contaminate the stream.

Why It Matters: The Impact of Proper Recycling

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American generates about 4.9 pounds of municipal solid waste per person per day, and only about 32% of that is recycled or composted. Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, conserves natural resources like timber, water, and minerals, and saves energy.

For example, recycling one ton of paper can save enough energy to power the average U.S. home for six months, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). By recycling correctly at home, residents help improve the quality of materials collected, which in turn increases the success of community recycling programs.

What NOT to Recycle

Even with good intentions, placing the wrong items in your recycling bin can disrupt the sorting process and send recyclable materials to the landfill. These items should never go in the bin:

• Yard waste: Leaves, grass clippings, and branches
• Household items: Clothing, wire hangers, light bulbs, batteries
• Hazardous materials: Paint, solvents, cooking oil, or any liquids
• Glass & mirrors: Windows, mirrors, ceramics
• Electronics or construction debris

Heavy Trash & Bulk Item Pickup

Got something too big for the bin? Ella Crossing residents can also place bulk items curbside on every trash day. Acceptable items include:

• Furniture: Limit 1–2 large items per collection day
• Mattresses & Box Springs: Counted as two items
• Appliances: Refrigerators and freezers must have refrigerant removed and documented
• Carpeting: Rolled, tied, max 4 feet long and 40 lbs
• Yard Trimmings: Bundled branches under 4 feet, limit 5 bundles per pickup

Items NOT accepted: Concrete, tile, rocks, bricks, tires, batteries, construction debris, or dirt.

Holiday Schedule

Best Trash observes the following holidays in 2025:

• Labor Day: Monday, September 1
• Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 27
• Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25
• New Year's Day: Thursday, January 1, 2026

If your service day falls on a holiday, collection will resume on your next regular day.

Need Help? Contact Best Trash

• Phone: 281-313-2378
• Office: 19430 FM 1093 Rd, Richmond, TX 77407
• Website: www.best-trash.com

For missed pickups, container repairs, or general service questions, reach out directly.

Thank You, Ella Crossing Residents

Your participation in keeping recyclables sorted and streets clear of bulk waste plays a big role in keeping Ella Crossing a beautiful and sustainable place to live. Let's all do our part—one clean bin at a time.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates, reminders, and seasonal waste and recycling tips for Ella Crossing.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.