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Solid Waste Management Department
Reuse Warehouse
Construction material accounts for 38% of the waste stream in the Houston area. The Building Materials Reuse Warehouse, a component of the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department, benefits the community by providing space for excess building materials that would otherwise be dumped in local landfills. We accept material from individuals, supply companies, and builders from anywhere, at no charge, and make it freely available for reuse by 501c3 non-profit organizations, schools, universities, and government agencies. We do not sell or give material to the general public. The Reuse Warehouse is funded in part by a grant from the Houston Galveston Area Council, a region-wide voluntary association of local governments in the 13-county Gulf Coast Planning region of Texas.
Why does Houston need a Reuse Warehouse?
More than one-third of the waste stream in the Houston area is made up of construction and demolition material, much of which could be diverted and re-used. By storing the materials until they can be used by community groups, the Warehouse will keep these valuable resources out of our local landfills.
The City of Houston Building Materials Reuse Warehouse is just one of many local organizations working to keep reusable building materials out of the landfills and to put them into the hands of those that can use them.
While at this time the Reuse Warehouse is only able to pass on building materials to non-profit organizations, many of these local organizations make materials available to individuals.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Reuse Warehouse is free for making donations and for non-profits taking material.LOCATION
9003 N. Main / Houston, TX 77022
View CoH Solid Waste Management Dept. Disposal and Recycling Facilities in a larger map
From I-45, take the Crosstimbers exit and turn west. At the 2nd light, turn North onto N. Main Street. The Warehouse will be at the second gate on the left, just before Whitney Street. Look for the ”Reuse Warehouse” signs. Our wait times are short. If a line of vehicles is present, it is for the North Main Depository and Recycling Center, not the Reuse Warehouse.
Information on Reuse Warehouse procedures (.pdf)
HOURS OF OPERATION
Tuesday - Friday:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Closed: Sunday - Monday
Contact Information:
281-814-3324
reuse.warehouse@houstontx.gov
MAKING A DONATION
The Reuse Warehouse only accepts building material that is in suitable condition for reuse. The Reuse Warehouse reserves the right to decline the acceptance of any material. If possible, please call 281-814-3324 in advance to describe what you will be bringing.EXAMPLES INCLUDE
Lumber, cabinets, counters, doors, trim, flooring, plywood, paneling, sheetrock, siding, backer board, clean carpet, limited furniture, lighting, electrical fixtures, ceiling fans, energy efficient appliances, plumbing fixtures, pipe, sinks, tubs, faucets, low-flow toilets, vents, windows, screens, plate glass, mirrors, shower glass, sheet metal, whole shingles, tar paper, gutters, downspouts, wall covering, blinds, tools, hardware, whole bricks, pavers, concrete blocks, pads, edging, stone, granite, marble, gravel, mulch, compost, residential topsoil, and more. (No paint!)We do not accept paint, solvents, hazardous materials, rotten, cracked, or moldy materials, rubble, tear-off shingles, water and/or energy wasting appliances – Please call 281-814-3324 with any questions you may have.
ACCESSING MATERIAL FROM THE WAREHOUSE TO USE FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
All the material in our inventory is available for free, on a first come – first serve basis. Just bring your proof of non-profit status. Come by often and shop!!!Join the Ton Club! Looking to keep track of the weight of materials that you are diverting from the landfills? Bring materials to the Reuse Warehouse upon completing your projects and watch as you move into the 1, 5, 10 and 25 ton clubs.
If you would like to receive updates on past and future events, please e-mail reuse.warehouse@houstontx.gov with the subject: “Add to e-mail list”. Unfortunately, since materials come and go rapidly, we cannot give updates on current inventory.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Pickup:
Do you offer a residential or builders (commercial construction) pickup program?
We do not offer pick up of materials at this time. Since we have limited staff, the Reuse Warehouse also asks that you assist with the unloading of your donated materials
Donations:
Do you have a forklift to assist with unloading donated materials?
Yes.
Will I receive a donation receipt?
Yes.
Shopping:
How does the shopping process work?
- Please call 281-814-3324 before visiting the warehouse for the first time to verify that your organization qualifies to collect material.
- Bring a copy of your organization’s IRS 501c3 Determination letter or verify with a staff member that your organization’s letter is on file.
- Fill out the material collection and liability forms.
- Take a look in the warehouse and select the items you like.
- Bring your items to the checkout desk.
- Weigh your items on our floor scale. (Items are weighed to help us keep track of the total tonnage you are helping to keep out of the landfills each year!)
- Once the weight of your items has been reported to the staff, you are free to load up your materials and depart.
- Once you have put the materials to use in a project, we ask that you e-mail a picture of the project to reuse.warehouse@houstontx.gov.