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Where to Recycle in Houston
Where to recycle in Houston depends on the item. Your green curbside cart handles the everyday stuff, but electronics, batteries, paint, tires, and glass each have their own drop-off. This guide sorts it by material so you know exactly where each thing goes, and what the city takes for free.
Quick reference
- Green cart: paper, cardboard, cartons, metal cans, accepted plastics.
- Not in the cart: glass, plastic bags, electronics, batteries, food, foam.
- Hazardous waste and electronics: a City Environmental Service Center.
- Proof of Houston address is required at city drop-off sites.
Curbside recycling (the green cart)
Single-stream recycling goes in the green-lid cart on your set recycling week: paper, flattened cardboard, cartons, metal food and drink cans, and accepted plastics. Keep items loose rather than bagged, since plastic bags jam the sorting equipment, and break down cardboard so the lid closes. Keep out food waste, foam, plastic bags, and anything greasy. Glass, batteries, and electronics never go in the cart.
Electronics and computers
City residents can drop off computers, laptops, monitors, printers, telephones, small electrical appliances, and TVs at a City of Houston Environmental Service Center at no charge. Do not break down or strip TVs, and check the current weight and size limits before you go. Many electronics and office-supply retailers also run free take-back programs, which can be closer for a single device.
Batteries and bulbs
Rechargeable batteries and lead-acid car batteries go to an Environmental Service Center. Common single-use alkaline batteries can go in your regular trash in Texas. Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and should go to an Environmental Service Center rather than the trash.
Paint, motor oil, and household chemicals
Household hazardous waste, including latex and oil-based paint, paint thinners, motor oil, antifreeze, brake and transmission fluid, pool chemicals, pesticides, and solvents, goes to an Environmental Service Center. Paint is accepted up to 25 gallons. Never pour these down a drain or set them out with heavy trash.
Tires
Residents can take up to five passenger tires per month to an Environmental Service Center, or place up to four passenger tires at the curb with a scheduled heavy trash pickup. Commercial and oversized tires are not accepted.
Glass, cardboard, and bulky items
Glass is not accepted curbside, so take bottles and jars to a city neighborhood recycling center or depository that accepts glass. Extra cardboard that will not fit in your cart can also go to a depository. For furniture and mattresses, the city collects those as junk waste on your heavy trash day, or you can donate usable items so they get reused.
Environmental Service Center locations
The city runs two centers, and both require a Texas ID plus a current Houston utility bill or lease with a matching address:
- ESC South: 11500 S. Post Oak Rd. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- ESC North: 5614 Neches St. Open the second Thursday of each month, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Confirm accepted materials, weight limits, and hours on the official Environmental Service Centers page and the City of Houston Recycling page. For weekly pickup days, see our trash and recycling schedule guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recycle glass in my Houston curbside cart?
No. Glass is not accepted in the green curbside recycling cart. Take it to a city neighborhood recycling center or depository that accepts glass instead.
Where can I recycle electronics in Houston for free?
City residents can drop off computers, monitors, printers, TVs, and small electronics at a City of Houston Environmental Service Center. Many retailers, such as electronics stores, also take back old devices.
How do I get rid of old paint or motor oil?
Paint, motor oil, antifreeze, and other household chemicals are hazardous waste. Take them to an Environmental Service Center, not the curb or a storm drain. Proof of Houston address is required.