www.houstontx.gov > Solid Waste Management Dept. > Recycling > Acceptable Items for Recycling
Acceptable Items for Recycling

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NOTE: Your automated container and recycling bin(s) should be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. and removed by 10:00 p.m. on your collection day. On windy days, secure recycling materials by placing full sacks of paper on top of bin.

The City of Houston is now accepting

  • Plastics #1-#5; #7 (Please Rinse & Drain): Plastic Bottles, Jars, Jugs, Tubs & Lids: milk, water, juice, soft drink, beer, Salad dressing, condiment, cooking oil, sauces, squeezable bottles & jars; Laundry & dishwashing detergent, medicine, outhwash, cosmetic & shampoo bottles; cat litter jugs; yogurt, butter, margarine, ice cream (tubs & lids); coffee can lids
    • Plastic Items Not Accepted: All #6 plastics (including Styrofoam), plastic bags, packaging material, meat food trays, food wrap, toys and furniture.
  • aluminum and tin cans
  • corrugated cardboard
  • mail
  • newspapers
  • telephone books
  • envelopes
  • home and office paper
  • magazines
  • used motor oil
Items accepted for recycling pickup

Mail, Envelopes, Home
and Office Paper

  • Flyers, computer paper, copies and envelopes
  • No dark colored or decorative: folders, cards or envelopes
  • No plastic bags or foil packaging

Plastic Bottles

  • Bottles must have smaller necks than base
  • Less than 3 gallons
  • Remove lids, rinse and flatten
  • No plastic bags

Newspapers, Magazines, and Catalogs

  • Loose, dry, and unspoiled
  • Include all inserts
  • Remove plastic wrapping and rubber bands

Flattened Cardboard

  • Corrugated only. Flatten to three feet on every side
  • No food, pizza, or cereal boxes
  • No beverage cartons, gift boxes,
    or styrofoam containers

Aluminum, Tin, Steel, and Empty Aerosol Cans

  • Rinse and drain
  • Labels are OK
  • Place lids inside larger containers

Used Motor Oil

  • Drain into original container
  • Clean, non-chemical screw-top container OK
  • No empty used oil containers accepted
  • No anti-freeze liquid or containers accepted curside
Telephone Books accepted throughout the year