Residents of Dallas may have heard that the much-discussed change from alley to curb trash collection just hit the pause button. City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert has put a temporary stop to the alley-to-curb transition plan, which was set to start altering service for some 26,000 households in January 2026. According to a press release from the City of Dallas, this pause is about rethinking the plan to better serve those who prefer their bins out of sight and out of the way in the alleys.
The initial Hybrid Approach that was on the table since a June council meeting, aimed to deal with alleys that are too narrow or otherwise ungainly, leaving many residents with the prospect of moving their bins to the front, and this isn't the first time Dallas has grappled with how to handle its solid waste, the city’s sanitation department has now set its sights on a broader evaluation, one that includes all customers living along these 8–9-foot alleys throughout the city. The administration is urging residents to chime in on a survey set to roll out in October and November to gauge interest in continuing alleyway service despite the challenges presented, such as higher rates potentially ushered in by franchised waste collection providers.
Any change is tough, especially when it comes down to the daily routines etched into the living fabric of a community, the coming and going of garbage trucks being such a pattern. "We hear you," Tolbert stated, emphasizing a commitment to customer expectations while considering the safety of waste collection workers. In a bid to find that middle ground, Dallas residents will have to weigh in, and the city promises to keep everyone informed via its website, social media, and the news, per the City of Dallas.
