Paint, tires and chemicals in Houston: where they go instead of the dumpster
A garage cleanout or remodel almost always turns up a few things that cannot go in the roll-off: old paint, motor oil, a spare tire, a propane tank. Pull them out before the truck comes, because a landfill can reject or reweigh a load that contains them. For Houston residents, the City runs a free drop-off for most of it. Here is what it takes and what to know before you go, from the City's own Environmental Service Center page.
Set these aside before the drop
The usual culprits on a Houston cleanout or remodel are easy to miss until the can is half full. Sort them into a box or a corner of the garage before delivery day.
- Paint, stain, thinners and other liquid finishes
- Motor oil, antifreeze and other automotive fluids
- Gasoline, kerosene and other fuels
- Pesticides, pool chemicals, aerosols and cleaning products
- Tires and car or rechargeable batteries
- Propane and other pressurized tanks
- Refrigerators, freezers and AC units that still hold refrigerant
The City of Houston drop-off: Environmental Service Centers
The City's Solid Waste Management Department runs two Environmental Service Centers. ESC South is at 11500 S. Post Oak Rd., Houston, TX 77035, open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ESC North is at 5614 Neches St., Houston, TX 77026, open the second Thursday of each month, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both are for Houston residents only, not businesses. Hours change, so check the City's page before you drive over.
For bulk or tree waste drop-off the City asks for a current Texas-issued ID plus a current City of Houston utility bill or lease agreement with a matching address. Recycling-only drop-offs need just the Texas-issued ID.
What the City lists, and the limits
These are the limits the City posts for household drop-offs. They are per visit unless noted, and they can change, so confirm on the City page.
- Paints and thinners: up to 25 gallons
- Automotive fluids: up to 25 quarts
- Fuels: up to 15 gallons
- Chemical waste such as pesticides, acids and aerosols: 100 lbs combined weight
- Electronics: up to 5 large items combined
- Tires: up to 5 per residence per month
- Propane and helium tanks: 5-gallon size at most
- Batteries: lithium-ion and rechargeable only
Outside Houston, or a business or contractor job
The City's centers serve Houston residents. If you live in Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena or another suburb, or the job is a business or contractor cleanup, check with your own city or county solid waste office for its drop-off rules before assuming the same limits apply. A contractor generating debris on a client's property is usually responsible for lawful disposal of what the job produces, so ask the hauler or the contractor how hazardous items are being handled.
Whatever is left after the hazardous items are out is what the roll-off is for: lumber, drywall, flooring, furniture, yard debris and general junk. Keep concrete, brick and dirt separate in a heavy-load can, as covered in our guide on what you can and cannot put in a dumpster.
A quick pre-delivery checklist
- Walk the garage, shed and under-sink areas for liquids, cans and cylinders
- Set the hazardous items aside in a box, away from the driveway where the can will sit
- Check the City page for current hours and limits, and bring your ID and proof of address
- Book the roll-off for everything else, then load heavy items first and keep the load level
Frequently asked
Liquid paint is not allowed in a roll-off. Houston residents can bring paint and thinners to a City Environmental Service Center, which lists a limit of 25 gallons per visit.
Tires are not allowed in the dumpster. The City lists a limit of 5 tires per residence per month at its Environmental Service Center, and does not accept commercial vehicle tires.
Houston residents only. Bring a current Texas-issued ID and, for bulk or tree waste, a City of Houston utility bill or lease agreement with a matching address.
ESC South is at 11500 S. Post Oak Rd., Houston, TX 77035, open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ESC North is at 5614 Neches St. and opens the second Thursday of each month, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The landfill can reject or reweigh the load, which can add charges and delay the haul. Pull prohibited items out before pickup, or ask us beforehand if you are unsure.