Trash dumped in this Fort Worth neighborhood is a problem, residents say. Is that legal?

Megan Cardona
·3 min read

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is conducting neighborhood listening sessions in historically underrepresented parts of the city to learn about issues that matter most to residents. Contact tips@star-telegram.com for questions on how to bring a listening session to your neighborhood.

Members of the Worth Heights Neighborhood Association told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that residents have reported illegal dumping in business dumpsters and bulk trash like furniture left in empty lots.

Here’s what to know about illegal dumping in Fort Worth, how to report it and how to dispose of bulk trash and what to know about neighborhood cleanup initiatives.

What is illegal dumping?

Putting trash in a dumpster that is not your property is illegal. It is also illegal to use commercial dumpsters without the permission of the dumpster owner.

Illegal dumping could result in a fine of up to $10,000.

Where do I throw away my trash in Fort Worth?

Bulk trash: Bulk trash consists of items too large, heavy or bulky to fit in Fort Worth’s brown garbage cart for normal garbage pickup. This can include tree or bush branches.

Each household can set out bulk trash measuring about eight feet long, six feet wide and six feet tall along the curbside by 7 a.m. on the Monday of their assigned bulk collection week. Bulk trash can also be put out as early as 6 p.m. on the Friday before your assigned week.

Check your bulk collection week through the garbage and recycling section on the city’s website.

Household trash: Drop-off stations are available to Fort Worth homeowners and some renters for disposal of trash, brush and recyclables. Show a recent Fort Worth water bill or have a current driver’s license with a Fort Worth address to use a drop-off station.

Drop-off stations are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are four drop off locations:

  • 2400 Brennan Avenue

  • 5150 Martin Luther King Freeway

  • 6260 Old Hemphill Road

  • 301 Hillshire Drive

Construction debris: Contractors can legally dispose of construction materials for a fee at the Southeast Landfill, 6288 Salt Rd.

Items not accepted at the landfill include tires, barrels, auto parts, liquid waste, used oil and oil filters, hazardous waste like batteries or explosives, refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers that contain Freon or other coolants.

How do I report illegal dumping in Fort Worth?

Residents can report a solid waste violation through the “Request a City Service” website portal. They can also check the status of their report through the portal under the “Check Service Request Status” tab using their service request number and email address.

Litter cleanups in Fort Worth

Fort Worth has two big cleanup events each year: the Cowtown Great American Cleanup in the spring and the Neighborhood Litter Stomp in the fall.

The Cowtown Great American Cleanup is a citywide initiative where schools, churches, businesses and individuals pick up litter from parks, streets, creeks and other public areas. Last year over 100,000 pounds of trash was picked up during the Cowtown Cleanup event.

The Neighborhood Litter Stomp is a cleanup event hosted in the fall where residents can pick up litter at their local park, school, street or a waterway.

Other litter and beautification programs include a volunteer-led cleanup and Adopt-A-Spot.