Coppell to replace bagged trash pickup with city-issued carts on Oct. 1, 2026

The City of Coppell plans to replace its long-standing bag-based trash system with city‑issued wheeled carts beginning Oct. 1, 2026, city staff told the council on March 10.

Al, assistant director of community development, said the new vendorized cart program will offer residents a choice of 65‑ and 95‑gallon carts (the 95‑gallon cart will be issued by default if no selection is made). "Starting October 1st, instead of placing loose bags at the alley or the curb, residents will use vendorized wheeled carts issued by the city," Al said. He told the council the 65‑gallon cart holds about six 13‑gallon bags while the 95‑gallon cart holds up to 10 bags.

Why it matters: staff said carts reduce litter from split bags, cut manual handling time for crews, and improve sanitation in alleys. The new contract also adds stronger reporting and vehicle standards, increases disaster debris support from $15,000 to $25,000, and preserves core services — trash, recycling and green waste — under the city’s agreement with Republic Services.

How it will work: the transition is organized into three phases. Phase one (preparation) is already under way, with staff training and communications planning. Phase two (resident choice and outreach) runs from mid‑May through the end of June, when households may choose a 65‑ or 95‑gallon cart via an online portal; if no choice is made, the city will provide the 95‑gallon cart. Staff will display the carts at city hall and public events and run a broad campaign that includes mailers, social media, Everbridge, a water bill insert and in-person outreach at grocery stores and markets.

Bulk collection and assistance: the city will change bulk collection from two weekly pickups of two cubic yards each to a single weekly pickup of four cubic yards. City staff said this keeps weekly total capacity the same but makes scheduling and large cleanouts easier for residents. A door‑side assistance program will be available for residents who are mobility‑challenged or visually impaired: designated carts will be collected and returned by drivers.

Digital tools: the city will introduce Recycle Coach, an app and website available in English, Spanish and Hindi, which provides schedule lookups, reminders, and a searchable "what goes where" tool. Residents can report miss‑picks or damaged carts through the app.

Questions and next steps: council members asked about holiday pickup schedules, replacement of old bins and how the carts will work in narrow alleys; staff said some routes will remain semi‑automated and crews will provide manual assistance where needed. Staff emphasized a broad education campaign to limit confusion on Oct. 1. The city will finalize communications and begin cart distribution ahead of the October go‑live date.