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Acceptable Recycling Items

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. Your 96-gallon recycling cart should be placed at least three feet away from other objects including other carts.

The City of Houston accepts:

  • aluminum and tin cans
  • corrugated cardboard
  • envelopes
  • home and office paper
  • magazines
  • mail
  • newspapers
  • telephone books
  • used motor oil

Acceptable Plastics - Rinse & Drained Plastics #1 - 5 and #7: butter, cat litter jugs, coffee can lids, condiment, cooking oil, cosmetic & shampoo bottles, ice cream (tubs & lids), jars, jugs, juice, laundry & dish washing detergent, margarine, medicine, milk, mouthwash, plastic bottles, salad dressing, sauces, soft drink, squeezable bottles & jars, tubs & lids, water, yogurt.

NOTE: TheWe DO NOT accept packing peanuts, styrofoam blocks or styrofoam cups at the Neighborhood Depository & Recycle Centers. Please put this item in your black trash cart.

Plastic Items Not Accepted at curbside recycling: All #6 plastics (including Styrofoam), food wrap, furniture, meat food trays, packaging material, plastic bags, and toys.

Items Accepted for Recycling Collection

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, unsoiled
  • Inserts
  • Remove plastic wrapping and rubber bands

Flattened Cardboard

  • Corrugated only. Flatten to three feet on every side
  • Cereal and paperboard boxes accepted
  • No food, pizza, or wax coated 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 curbside

Telephone Books accepted throughout the year