Question: Is everyone in the city going to carts?
Answer: Yes, all single-family residents will be moving to carts.
Question: When are we changing?
Answer: There will be two main phases. Phase 1 cart service began April 8, 2026 and Phase II will start October 1, 2027.
Question: How do we know who is in the first group?
Answer:
Area 1: 681 homes: Greenway Trails, Heritage Towne
Area 2: 456 homes: Cedar Ridge Addition, Cedar Ridge Estates, Clear Lake Addition, Clearview Estates, Lakeview West HOA, Lakeway Estates Addition, Spring Creek Circle
Area 3 & 4: 346 homes: Property Owners Association of Lakeridge
I'm in Phase 1. Will my garbage and collection day change?
Yes. Effective Wednesday, April 8, 2026, your garbage, recycling, bulky and brush collection service, provided by Republic Services, is on Wednesdays.
Question: When will everyone else move to carts?
Answer: Carts will become effective on or before October 1, 2027 for the remaining Residents.
Question: I'm in Phase 1. Will my garbage and collection day change?
Answer: Effective April 8, 2026, your garbage, recycling, bulky and brush collection service, provided by Republic Services, is on Wednesdays.
Question: Will we still have two (2) pick-up days? If not, what day will I be collected?
Answer: Garbage & Recycling will only be picked up one (1) day per week, on the same day as Recycling and Bulky pick-up. Services for Phase 1 residents is provided on Wednesdays, with the exception of major holiday weeks (New Years Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day).
Question: How many carts will each household get?
Answer: Each household will receive two (2) 95-gallon carts; one (1) for garbage and one (1) for recycling. If you do not wish to keep your recycling cart, you may contact Republic Services to schedule its removal. Please note that the residential service rate remains the same even if recycling collection is declined.
Question: I received a garbage cart and a recycling cart. I don’t want the recycling bin. What do I do?
Answer: Republic Services requests that you wait 30 days, until May 8, 2026 to contact them about removing the recycling bin.
Please note that the residential service rate remains the same even if recycling collection is declined.
Question: What if I need more than one (1) garbage cart? Will it cost extra?
Answer: Yes, you will be able to request additional garbage and or additional recycling carts for additional monthly fees per cart per month. Please see the Garbage/Recycling Cart Request form here. Additional carts requested will be delivered within five (5) business days after the City notifies Republic Services of the request. Please note, this delivery timeframe applies only to additional 95-gallon carts.
Question: What if the carts are too big and heavy for me to move?
Answer: Beginning May 8, 2026, you may contact Republic to swap your 95-gallon cart for a 65-gallon cart. The swaps will be scheduled in June and July 2026.
Residents with a disability and live alone will have the option to apply for assisted trash service for no additional fee. Apply here.(PDF, 190KB)
Question: Are you going to charge me extra for the carts?
Answer: No, your initial carts that are dropped off as part of your monthly fee.
Question: Is my garbage cost going to go up because of the carts?
Answer: No, but we do have an annual programmed rate increase. On Feb. 1, 2026, garbage rates will increase by 5.25% for Residential, Commercial and Industrial hauling. In October of each year the hauler’s rate will increase by approximately 3.95%.
Question: If we have alley pick-up, are you changing that?
Answer: No, alley collection will remain the same.
Question: How early can I place my cart at the curb prior to collection day?
Answer: Please place your cart(s) at the curb no earlier than 7 p.m. the night before collection.
Question: How long may I leave my cart at the curb after collection?
Answer: Please retrieve your cart from the curb prior to 7 p.m. on collection day.
Question: What will I do if I have large items to be picked up, such as furniture or an appliance?
Answer: You will still need to call in and schedule a bulk pickup as you do now. However, the pick-up will be done on your scheduled garbage service day. Republic will pick up two (2) yards per week.
Question: Will Republic pick up my garbage that doesn't fit in the cart?
Answer: The first week of carted collection, Republic will pick up bags outside the cart. The second week of collection, you will need to fit materials into the cart with the cart lid fully closed. If needed, you may call 972-237-8200 to request a second cart, which will be billed at an additional $6.56 per month.
Question: My street is narrow and cars are parked along the curb. How will the truck pick up my cart?
Answer: Bilingual educational materials will be available for residents with instructions on where to place carts. It will be important for residents to make room for the carts on the curb. Republic will also use a truck that can accommodate narrow streets.
Question: When will my carts be delivered?
Answer: If you live in a Phase 1 neighborhood, carts were delivered March 30-April 3, 2026.
Question: What should I do with my 18-gallon bin?
Answer: If you live in a Phase 1 neighborhood, you have the option to keep your 18-gallon bin or place it out with your new carts on April 8, 2026. If you choose to set it out, Republic will pick it up.
Question: My neighbors have received carts and I did not. What can I do?
Answer: You must have a garbage account to receive carts. For “garbage only accounts” please call 972-237-8200 to verify that you have an account. If you do not have one, you will need to enroll. If you DO have an account and you did not receive your carts, please call the Solid Waste Department at 972-237-8151.
Question: My cart broke or the wheels fell off. What do I do?
Answer: Republic Services will be happy to repair your cart. Please call 817-261-8812 for scheduling.
What about people’s jobs?
We understand people are concerned about jobs. About 65 percent of the helpers riding on the back of the trucks are temporary workers. During Phase I, these helpers will still be needed, as service will continue using retrofitted trucks. As new Automated Side Loader trucks are gradually introduced across the city, permanent employees will be reassigned to other roles, so their experience and skills continue to be valued.
Didn’t we vote on this and it wasn’t voted down?
This item has not been on a ballot. In 2022, a community survey was sent to all homes in Grand Prairie, and the responses showed an even split: 46 percent in favor and 46 percent not in favor. Since then, the franchise waste hauler has been moving away from curbside trash collection in bags, mainly due to safety concerns for the workers riding on the backs of the trucks. Challenges such as extreme heat and cold, dog bites, needle sticks, and even incidents involving bear spray have made this type of collection increasingly unsafe for the men and women who provide this service.
Has the city explored other waste collection vendors?
Yes, the city carefully considered its options. Republic Services, our current vendor, has consistently delivered quality service and high customer satisfaction. Based on that history, the city is confident in continuing to work with the current vendor as we transition to a safer and more sanitary way of providing service.