People in Houston can utilize the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) depositories and recycling centers up to four times each month.
Each user must present proof of residency to access the services.
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Back in March, the SWMD changed the operating days for its six Neighborhood Depositories and Recycling Centers.
The centers are now open from Wednesday to Sunday, closing on city-approved holidays, and operating from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to ensure adequate time for unloading.
Neighborhood Depository/Recycling Centers locations
The Neighborhood Depositories and Recycling Centers are located at:
- North: 9003 N Main, 77022
- Northwest: 14400 Sommermeyer, 77041
- Northeast: 5565 Kirkpatrick, 77028
- Southeast: 2240 Central Street, 77017
- South: 5100 Sunbeam, 77033
- Southwest: 10785 SW Freeway, 77074
Proof of residency requirements
To use the depositories, residents must provide proof of residency, which includes:
- Photo Identification: A current Texas-issued identification card, such as a Texas driver’s license, Texas Department of Public Safety-issued ID card, or Texas License to Carry Permit.
- One of the following:
- Utility Bill: A bill for power, water, or gas from the current month or the previous two months. The address on the bill must match the address on the state-issued ID. Electronic bills are accepted.
- Lease Agreement: If no utility bill is available, a copy of the current lease or rental agreement for a City of Houston address is acceptable. The address must match the state-issued ID.
For residential property owners whose primary residence is outside Texas and who do not have a Texas ID, a current property tax bill must be shown, with matching names on both the ID and tax bill. Out-of-state students at Houston universities may use a current student ID in place of a utility bill.
Rules and regulations for neighborhood depositories
Residents wishing to discard TreeWaste or Junk Waste before their scheduled monthly pickup can utilize one of the six neighborhood depository locations.
The depositories accept a variety of recyclable materials, including:
- Ad inserts
- Aerosol cans
- Aluminum cans
- Cardboard
- Cartons (shelf stable and refrigerated)
- Catalogs
- Concrete
- Glass bottles and jars
- Magazines
- Mattresses
- Newspapers
- Plastics #1-#5 and #7 (toys, packing materials, flower pots, styrofoam, or plastic furniture are not accepted)
- Steel cans
- Telephone books
- Tin cans
- Up to five automobile tires (rims not accepted) per visit, with a limit of ten total per month.
According to the City of Houston Code of Ordinances, individuals hauling six or more tires within city limits must obtain a tire transporter permit.
Additional recycling options
Residents can also drop off their recycling at various locations, including:
- Westpark Center
- Clear Lake/Ellington Airport
- Kingwood
- Reuse Warehouse
For electronics recycling, residents can visit the Electronics Recycling page for a list of accepted materials and facilities.
Important disposal information
The Environmental Service Center (ESC) and ReUse Warehouse are additional facilities where residents can donate building materials for reuse in nonprofit projects.
Proper disposal of materials is essential for maintaining a healthy environment.
For more information on the proper disposal of specific materials, residents can visit the following links:
- Anti-Freeze
- Batteries
- Fluorescent Lights
- Lawn/Garden Chemicals
- Medical Waste
- Mercury
- Paint
- Pharmaceuticals
- Used Oil
Important note: Neighborhood depositories will not accept household garbage, more than five tires per month per household, or large quantities of building materials. Trash from commercial haulers or brought in commercial vehicles will also not be accepted.
The source of this information is the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department website.