Curbside Recycling

The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) provides curbside recycling collection using city-issued green recycling containers. This program helps reduce landfill waste and supports a cleaner, more sustainable community.

General Guidelines

  1. Place your city-issued recycling container at the curb between 6:00 p.m. the day before and 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
  2. Position the container facing the street with the handle toward the house.
  3. Keep containers accessible and free from obstructions such as parked vehicles, trees, mailboxes, or fences. Blocked containers will not be serviced.
  4. Leave at least three (3) feet of space between your recycling container and garbage container to allow safe collection.
  5. Remove containers from the curb by 10:00 p.m. on your collection day and store them in a secure location.

Yes Recycle these items

Recycle Items

Accepted Materials (YES! Recycle)

  • Paper: Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, office paper
  • Plastic: Containers #1–5 and #7 (rinsed and drained)
  • Aluminum Cans (rinsed and drained)
  • Bimetal Cans (soup, vegetable, fruit, and coffee cans)
  • Glass (Bottles, jugs, and jars)
  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Cartons: Gable-top and shelf-stable cartons (milk, juice, soup, and plant-based beverage cartons)

Non-Accepted Materials (NO!)

  • Film or flexible plastics Examples: plastic bags, shrink wrap, plastic wrap from water or soda cases, cereal bags, cracker bags
  • Greasy or soiled paper Examples: food-contaminated paper, napkins, paper towels, tissue, wrapping paper
  • Yard waste Leaves, grass, branches, twigs
  • Textiles Clothing, shoes, towels, sheets, pillows
  • Large plastic items Toys, garden hoses, coolers, furniture, buckets

Find Your Schedule

Find your schedule, set notifications and learn how to properly dispose of waste.

SWMD Links

SWMD Recycling Facilities

Solid Waste Management Department Logo

Contact SWMD

611 Walker Street, 12th Floor
Houston, TX 77002