Last reviewed October 2026
These details come from the City of Houston and Harris County websites as of October 2026. Hours, limits, and rules change, so confirm before you go.
Why these items need their own route
City of Houston curbside heavy trash does not take electronics, paint, chemicals, or other household hazardous waste. Charities usually refuse chemicals and many electronics too. These items belong in a household hazardous waste or recycling program, or in a few specific donation channels. They are also the first thing to check for when you sort a garage, since they are the items most often forgotten on a shelf.
What the City of Houston Environmental Service Centers accept
The City runs two Environmental Service Centers (ESCs). Here is what the City lists, with its per-visit limits:
| Item | What the City lists |
|---|---|
| Household chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, aerosols, degreasers | Up to 100 lbs combined. Keep them unbagged. |
| Latex and oil-based paint, stains, thinners | Up to 25 gallons of each. |
| Motor oil, antifreeze, solvents, brake and other fluids | Up to 25 quarts. |
| Fuels | Up to 15 gallons. The center does not pour gas for you. |
| Computers, monitors, printers, TVs, small electrical appliances | Up to 5 large items combined per visit. TVs up to 30 inches. |
| Batteries | Lithium-ion and rechargeable only. |
| Propane and helium tanks | Up to 5 gallons. |
| Tires | Up to 5 per residence per month. No commercial vehicle tires. |
The City lists other items as well, such as fluorescent bulbs, microwaves, and pool chemicals, each with its own limits.
Where and when
- ESC South: 11500 S. Post Oak Rd., Houston, 77035. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- ESC North: 5614 Neches St., Houston, 77026. Open the second Thursday of each month, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- What to bring: a current Texas-issued ID. Some drop-offs also ask for a current City of Houston utility bill or lease agreement with a matching address.
If you live outside the City of Houston
Harris County runs a household hazardous waste facility at 6900 Hahl Road for county residents who live outside the City of Houston. It is by appointment only and takes items used in a home for personal use. If you live in another city or a MUD, check with them directly, because their programs and rules may differ.
Getting it ready
- Leave it in the original container with the label on, so staff know what it is.
- Do not mix products. Mixing leftovers can create a new hazard.
- Close lids tightly and wipe any residue off the outside.
- Do not bag chemicals. The City asks that they be unbagged. A sturdy box or bin that keeps containers upright works well.
- Ride them in the trunk or truck bed, not the passenger area, and keep them out of heat and direct sun.
- Check the fuel rules before you go. The center does not pour fuel out of your can.
- Make one trip. Group everything and check the limits so you do not have to come back.
Paint donations
Houston Habitat ReStore accepts full, unopened containers of latex paint or stain from a paint store, but not leftover paint. Half-used cans go to the hazardous waste route above.
What we can and can't help with
Paint, chemicals, fuel, batteries, and propane tanks are outside what we handle, so mention any of them in your quote request and we will plan around them. If you are not sure whether something falls in this group, ask us and we will tell you what to do with it before the work starts. The rest of what you do not keep goes through our four piles, and ordinary junk is part of Sweep, where we book a licensed hauler and meet them on site.
Want help sorting the rest?
We will sort around the hazardous items and get everything else moving. Send a few photos and note anything on this list. See pricing for how jobs are booked.