Holiday Trash & Recycling Reminders for Harris County MUD 102 Residents: What to Know and How to Avoid a Left-Behind Recycling Cart
As the holiday season approaches, residents across Harris County MUD 102 — including neighborhoods like The Colonies, Concord Bridge, and surrounding areas — are reminded to plan ahead for seasonal changes in curbside service provided by Texas Pride Disposal.
Holiday Service Schedule
There will be no trash or recycling collection on the following holidays:
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Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 27, 2025
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Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25, 2025
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New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026
If your regular trash or recycling day falls on one of these holidays, service will resume on the next regularly scheduled collection day. Trash pickup continues Mondays and Thursdays, while recycling is collected on Mondays.
This schedule shift is a helpful reminder to avoid overflowing bins and to securely store trash until the next available pickup.
Why Was My Recycling Cart Left Behind? Understanding Contamination
Many residents have faced the same disappointing moment — rolling their bin out for Monday pickup only to find it untouched hours later. While it may seem like an error, there’s often a clear explanation: recycling contamination.
What is contamination?
Contamination occurs when non-recyclable or improperly prepared items are placed in the recycling cart. Once contamination is detected, the entire cart is tagged and left behind to prevent the risk of tainting other clean recyclables or damaging equipment.
According to Harris County MUD 102, common culprits include:
- Trash or food-soiled items
- Greasy pizza boxes
- Plastic bags or bagged recyclables
- Electronics, cords, and textiles
- Batteries or hazardous materials
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Why It Matters: The Ripple Effect of Contaminated Recycling
Improper recycling doesn’t just impact your household — it can affect the entire system. Here’s what happens when the wrong items are tossed in:
- Perfectly good recyclables get ruined: Just one garbage bag or greasy takeout box can cause the entire truckload to be rejected and sent to the landfill.
- Equipment is at risk: Machines at recycling facilities are sensitive. Items like cords, clothes, or bags can break or jam the system.
- Worker safety is jeopardized: Sharp objects, chemicals, and batteries are dangerous to staff sorting materials on-site.
How to Recycle Right in Harris County MUD 102
To avoid future frustrations, here are some simple best practices to ensure your recyclables are collected and processed correctly:
- Keep recyclables loose. Do not bag them — plastic bags and shrink wrap are major contaminants.
- Rinse containers. Bottles, jars, and cans should be free of food and liquid residue.
- Avoid food-soiled items. This includes greasy pizza boxes or anything with food stains.
- Break down cardboard. Flattening boxes saves space and helps the collection process.
- Know what’s accepted. A complete list of eligible recyclables can be found at hcmud102.org/garbage
Stay in the Know This Holiday Season
Whether you’re hosting guests, traveling, or just settling in for a quiet holiday at home, keeping up with your trash and recycling schedule helps keep the neighborhood clean and running smoothly. Residents are encouraged to share these reminders with neighbors and help keep the community informed.
Let's all do our part to make the season bright — and a little less wasteful.
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.
