Getting rid of carpet in Killeen takes exactly one more step than most people expect. You can't just stuff it in the roll-out bin. But once you know the two paths — curbside bulk or the Transfer Station — neither one is complicated. The city's rules are clear, the fees are published, and carpet is explicitly named in the city ordinance as an accepted item.
Why carpet can't go in your regular trash bin
A 96-gallon roll-out container is the standard Killeen trash bin. Old carpet, even from a single room, won't fit in it. The city's residential service is designed around that container — the automated truck arm grabs it, dumps it, done. Anything outside the bin that isn't a designated bulk item placed with proper clearance is either skipped or charged as excess without notice.
Carpet is also classified as construction and demolition debris under Killeen's Code of Ordinances (Chapter 24). That puts it in the bulk/C&D category, not standard household garbage. The good news: the Transfer Station accepts it, and so does curbside bulk pickup, both with straightforward fees.
Option 1: Curbside bulk pickup on your collection day
This is the easiest path if you don't want to drive anywhere. Place the carpet at the curb on your regularly scheduled garbage collection day, and the city will pick it up. The fee gets charged to your utility account automatically — no need to schedule in advance.
- Place carpet at curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day — not earlier than the night before
- Leave at least 4 feet of clearance on both sides, 2 feet in the rear, and 14 feet above (for the mechanical boom)
- Bulk pile must not exceed 4 cubic yards (roughly 6 ft. wide x 3 ft. high x 6 ft. long)
- Roll or bundle carpet tightly — a full room of carpet and padding can exceed 4 cubic yards if loosely piled
- Fee: $21 minimum for up to 3 cubic yards, $7.50 for each additional cubic yard
- Need pickup on a day other than your collection day? Premium service fee: $23 base, plus $7.50 per cubic yard
- Load must be secured if transporting by vehicle — $26.25 surcharge for unsecured loads at the Transfer Station
Find your collection day using the city's GIS map at killeentexas.gov (look up by address). Killeen is divided into four zones — Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday pickup. Solid Waste Division phone: (254) 501-7785.
Option 2: Self-haul to the Killeen Transfer Station
If you want to dispose of the carpet on your own schedule without waiting for collection day, the Transfer Station is your best bet. Carpet and padding are explicitly listed as accepted items under construction and demolition debris in the city ordinance. Bring your Killeen utility bill and a valid ID.
| Facility | Address | Phone | Hours | Fee (residents) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen Transfer Station | 12200 State Highway 195, Killeen, TX 76549 | (254) 501-8971 | Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8am-5pm; Wed/Sat 8am-3pm; Closed 4th Saturday of month | First 500 lbs/month free (with utility bill + ID); over 500 lbs: $4.00 per 100 lbs |
For perspective on volume: a typical 12x15 room yields roughly one or two cubic yards of rolled carpet and padding combined. A whole-house re-carpet (say 1,200 sq ft) can hit 6-8 cubic yards loosely piled. Rolling tightly and bundling keeps volume down and your bill lower at both curbside and the Transfer Station.
Other options: donation, junk removal, and recycling
Carpet in good condition — clean, minimal wear, not stained — is sometimes accepted by donation centers. The Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore (2601 Atkinson Ave, Killeen, TX 76543; (254) 554-0924) accepts building materials and home improvement items, but whether they take used carpet depends on condition and current inventory. Call ahead before loading up the truck. Their accepted items list is managed through a third-party platform that wasn't accessible at time of publication.
For carpet recycling specifically: Killeen has no municipal carpet recycling program and no confirmed CARE (Carpet America Recovery Effort) drop-off site as of June 2026. The Killeen Recycling Center at 111 E. Avenue F does not accept carpet — it handles paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metal only.
Private junk removal services such as LoadUp operate in the Killeen area if you want someone else to handle the labor. Pricing varies — get a quote before scheduling. The city's Transfer Station remains the most straightforward and lowest-cost verified option for most residents.
Common mistakes Killeen residents make
Stuffing carpet scraps in the roll-out bin. Won't fit, and overloaded bins don't always get serviced. Anything hanging out gets flagged or skipped.
Putting it at the curb more than one day early. The ordinance allows placement no earlier than the night before collection day. Leaving it out for days creates a litter and safety issue — and the city has tagged residents for it.
Not blocking off clearance around the pile. The collection vehicle uses a mechanical boom and grapple. If you park a car nearby, or crowd the pile against a fence or mailbox, the driver may skip it. Four feet on both sides, fourteen feet above. Not optional.
Heading to the Transfer Station with an unsecured truck bed. Rolled carpet on an open truck bed qualifies as an unsecured load under Texas Transportation Code and Killeen ordinance. The surcharge is $26.25 and they don't warn you first.
Assuming the Recycling Center accepts it. It does not. The Killeen Recycling Center takes recyclables only — carpet is not on that list.
Tex's Take
The curbside option is underused. People assume they need to drive somewhere, so they let the carpet sit in the garage for months. You don't. Put it at the curb the night before collection day, follow the clearance rules, and it's gone by morning for $21. That's less than a tank of gas in a pickup.
The Transfer Station is better for big jobs — full-house re-carpets where you've got more volume than fits a 4-cubic-yard curbside pile, or when you're also hauling out padding, tack strips, and underlayment at the same time. Killeen utility customers get the first 500 pounds free each month. A typical room's worth of carpet weighs well under that. Do the math before you call a junk removal service.
FAQ
Can I put old carpet in my Killeen trash bin?
No. The standard 96-gallon roll-out container won't fit carpet. Carpet must be handled as a bulk item — either placed curbside on your collection day with proper clearance, or self-hauled to the Killeen Transfer Station. Stuffing scraps into the bin won't get them collected, and the bin may not be serviced if it's overloaded.
How much does it cost to dispose of carpet in Killeen?
Curbside bulk pickup costs a minimum of $21 for up to 3 cubic yards, charged to your utility bill. The Transfer Station charges by weight — the first 500 pounds per calendar month are free for Killeen utility customers (bring your bill and ID). Over 500 pounds, the rate is $4.00 per 100 pounds. Non-residents pay $6.88 per 100 pounds with no free threshold.
Does Killeen have a carpet recycling program?
No. As of June 2026, the City of Killeen has no municipal carpet recycling program, and there is no confirmed CARE drop-off site in the city. The Killeen Recycling Center does not accept carpet. Your disposal options are curbside bulk pickup or the Transfer Station.
Can I donate old carpet in Killeen?
Possibly, if the carpet is in good condition. The Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore (2601 Atkinson Ave; (254) 554-0924) accepts some building materials, but carpet acceptance varies by condition and current inventory. Call ahead to confirm before making the trip. Do not show up with a truck full of used carpet without verifying first.
Do I need to do anything special before hauling carpet to the Transfer Station?
Two things. Bring your current City of Killeen utility (solid waste and water) bill, plus a valid ID, to qualify for the free monthly threshold. And secure your load — carpet on an open truck bed must be covered or tied down. Unsecured loads get a $26.25 surcharge, no warnings given. Cell phone use is also prohibited at the facility during your visit.
Data last verified June 2026 against official City of Killeen solid waste sources (killeentexas.gov) and Killeen Code of Ordinances (Chapter 24). Hours, fees, and accepted items can change without notice. Call (254) 501-7785 (Solid Waste Division) or (254) 501-8971 (Transfer Station) before making a trip.
Conclusion
Carpet disposal in Killeen is not complicated once you know the rules. Two verified options: curbside bulk on collection day for $21 minimum, or the Transfer Station at 12200 State Highway 195 with the first 500 pounds free per month for utility customers. Roll the carpet tight, secure the load if you're driving, bring your utility bill to the Transfer Station, and follow the clearance rules if you're putting it at the curb.
If you're dealing with other disposal questions around the same project, the same Transfer Station and curbside rules apply for other bulk household items. See How to Dispose of a Mattress in Killeen, TX for bulk pickup specifics, and How to Dispose of Old Paint in Killeen, TX for paint — which is handled as a hazardous material and has separate rules at the Transfer Station.
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