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GO GREEN HOUSTON > FAQs

Q. How do I get a recycling bin and/or 2nd green bin?
A.
If you live in a curbside recycling area, you may request a bin by calling 311, the City's Help Line. The 311 operator should provide you with a Service Request number for your records. The City will deliver the bin. You may also use a paper bag.

Q. What items are accepted in the Curbside Recycling Program?
A.
Newspaper, magazines, color ad inserts, office paper, unwanted mail and telephone books; tin, aluminum and empty aerosol cans; and plastic bottles and jugs with a narrow neck and broad base (marked with a #1 or #2 recycling symbol), used motor oil and corrugated cardboard.

Keeping all paper items segregated, you may place all of these materials together in your bin. Overflow materials can be put in a separate paper grocery bag and place on top or on the side of your green bin.

Corrugated cardboard must be broken down into 3x3 foot squares. Used motor oil, if placed in its original container or an empty 1-gallon milk or water jug will also be accepted.

Q. My neighborhood does not have curbside recycling. Where can I take my recyclables?
A.
Neighborhood depositories will accept the same recyclables accepted curbside except corrugated cardboard. The depositories do accept glass bottles and jars.

The Westpark Consumer Recycling Center will accept the same items as the Curbside Recycling Program with the addition of glass bottles, jars, anti-freeze, latex paint, and car batteries.

Q. Is there any place in the City that will accept styrofoam?
A.
Styrofoam in peanut shape is accepted by Mailbox, Etc. They can be reached at 713.667.5116.

Q. I have lots of plastic bags. How can I recycle them?
A.
You may take your plastic bags to your local grocery stores. Most grocery stores recycle these bags.

Until additional resources become available, you are encouraged to utilize the Westpark Consumer Recycling Center at 5900 Westpark, Abitibi Recycling's Metrowide Newspaper Recycling Program and other recycling drop-off centers near your neighborhood.

Q. My neighborhood does not have curbside recycling. Where can I take my recyclables?
A.
Neighborhood depositories will accept the same recyclables accepted curbside except corrugated cardboard. The depositories do accept glass bottles and jars. Also, the Westpark Consumer Recycling Center, 5900 Westpark, will accept the same items as the Curbside Recycling Program with the addition of glass bottles, jars, anti-freeze, latex paint, and car batteries. For more info, call 311 or www.gogreenhouston.org.

Q. My neighborhood does not have curbside recycling. How do I get curbside recycling?
A.
Neighborhoods that would like to be considered for future recycling expansion are placed on a waiting list. Please provide the following information (in writing) to have your neighborhood added to the waiting list. When resources become available, you will be notified.

  • Name of neighborhood/subdivision/garbage service day
  • Name, address, phone number of a contact person
  • Map of the desired area clearly showing all boundaries
  • Number of homes in the subdivision (must consist of 100 and/or be adjacent to an existing curbside recycling neighborhood with the same garbage day

Your letter should be mailed to the Solid Waste Management Department, 611 Walker, 12th floor, Houston, Texas 77002 Attn: Curbside Recycling Program.

My neighborhood does not have curbside recycling. Where can I take my recyclables?
A.
Until additional resources become available, you are encouraged to utilize the Westpark Consumer Recycling Center at 5900 Westpark.The Westpark Consumer Recycling Center will accept the same items as the Curbside Recycling Program with the addition of glass bottles, jars, anti-freeze, latex paint, car batteries, and residential electronic scraps (computers,etc)

Neighborhood depositories will accept the same recyclables accepted curbside except corrugated cardboard. The depositories do accept glass bottles and jars.

NEIGHBORHOOD DEPOSITORY LOCATIONS
Northeast Area
Northwest Area
Southeast Area
South Area
713.675.3208
713.895.1003
3-1-1
713.738.1936

For other recycling opportunities, consider Abitibi Recycling's Metrowide Newspaper Recycling Program (www.paperretriever.com) and other recycling drop-off centers (www.houstonsolidwaste.org) near your neighborhood.

Q. Is there any place in the City that will accept styrofoam?
A.
Styrofoam in peanut shape or flat sheets are accepted by UPS Store.They can be reached at 713.667.5116.

Q. I have lots of plastic bags. How can I recycle them?
A.
We encourage you to use the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

  • Reduce the amount of plastic bags you get, by using a canvas bag for your groceries. 
  • Reuse your plastic bags for small garbage bags or transporting other items. 
  • Recycle: You may take your plastic bags to your local grocery stores. Check with your local grocery stores.