Recycling Guide for Houston

August 4, 2021

Household recycling guide on how to dispose of just about anything, responsibly.

Curbside Services

The City of Houston provides separate curbside service for these items.

Tree waste, limbs, branches, trunks, and stumps (please use diamond bullet points)
Tires (4 a month)
Junk waste, bulky items, old furniture, and appliances
Motor oil

Special Handling

These items contain hazardous substances and cannot be placed in any bin. Safe disposal is provided for each.

Electronics
Oil based paints and stains
Batteries
Fluorescent bulbs and tubes
Household hazardous waste

Compostable Bag

Place these items in a paper yard-waste bag for pickup. Yard waste is turned into Houston mulch and used in parks and gardens to keep moisture in the ground and weeds at bay.

Garden trimmings, plants, flowers
Grass clippings (try grasscycling instead)
Chopsticks
Popsicle sticks

Recycling Cart

These items are taken to a recycling facility where they are sorted and then processed into raw materials to make new stuff.

Soda, beer cans
Steel cans
Glass Bottles
Glass Jars
Cartons (milk, juice)
Junk mail, flyers
Newspaper
Telephone books
Magazines
Paper bags
Cardboard
Cereal and cracker boxes
Gift boxes
Paper towel rolls
Plastic bottles
Plastic bathroom containers
Detergent containers
Yogurt cups
Milk and juice jugs
Plastic takeout containers

Garbage Cart

This is the stuff that goes into landfills and remains there for generations. Reduce or re-use these items whenever possible.

Plastic bags, wrap
Coffee pods
Food
Styrofoam
Packing peanuts
Disposable coffee cups
Fast food paper cups
Opaque plastic cups
Oily lunch bags
Used pizza boxes
VHS tapes
Napkins, paper towels
Chip bags
Foiled drink pouches
Shredded paper
Gift wrap, tissue paper
Light bulbs
Hardback books
Animal waste
Bubble wrap
Corks
Biodegradable utensils, bags
Diapers

Information gathered from www.recyclebycity.com. Go visit! We love it.