Houston, TX
Paint Disposal in Houston
4 verified options for paint disposal across the Houston metro. Compare cost, hours, and pickup at a glance.
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Paint Disposal in Houston
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How it works in Houston
Local rules
- Texas Recycles Computers Program (30 TAC Ch. 328, Subch. I): requires computer manufacturers selling in Texas to offer free takeback recycling for their brand-labeled computers to households. TCEQ maintains an annual manufacturer list.
- Texas Recycles TVs Program (30 TAC Ch. 328, Subch. J): TV manufacturers must register with TCEQ and meet annual recycling targets. Free household takeback required by law.
- Texas does NOT have a paint stewardship law — PaintCare does not operate in Texas (as of 2026). All paint disposal must go through municipal HHW programs (Houston ESC or Harris County HHW).
- Houston City Code Chapter 39 (Solid Waste): prohibits placing hazardous household waste (including electronics, batteries, paint, chemicals) in curbside garbage or recycling carts. Violations can result in fees.
- Harris County Solid Waste Management Ordinance: regulates disposal of regulated wastes including used oil, batteries, electronics, and HHW within unincorporated Harris County.
- Texas Health & Safety Code Ch. 361.106: prohibits improper disposal of lead-acid batteries, waste oil, and used oil filters. Applies statewide.
- Texas Administrative Code Title 30 (Environment) Ch. 335: enforces Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) standards for hazardous waste management including small quantity generator rules for businesses.
- Houston's Reuse Warehouse Program: accepts reusable building materials, furniture, and household goods at the ESC locations. Operated by the Solid Waste Management Department.
Worth knowing
- Houston has TWO separate HHW programs serving different populations: City of Houston residents use the North/South ESC (free, no appointment needed, Mon–Sat 8–5), while unincorporated Harris County residents use the Hahl Rd facility (appointment only, Tue/Wed/Sat). Know your jurisdiction!
- Texas has NO PaintCare program — unlike neighboring states or Washington/Colorado/Oregon where you can drop paint at hardware stores, Houston residents must take ALL paint to the ESC or Harris County HHW. This is a major difference residents need to know.
- CompuCycle (8019 Kempwood) is a unique local resource — R2 and e-Stewards certified woman-owned business that processes ALL electronics recycling in-house. City of Houston relies on them for e-waste events. Free residential drop-off.
- The ESC facilities have a Reuse Warehouse where reusable items (furniture, building materials, household goods) are available for free to the public — essentially a city-run free store, little-known but popular with DIYers.
- Houston is the largest US city without zoning — this can make it hard to find specific recyclers using commercial address patterns. Navigate by major intersections and neighborhoods.
- Hurricane season (June–November) impacts HHW operations — facilities may close during storms and events like Hurricane Harvey (2017) and Beryl (2024) drove massive storm-related HHW collections.
- The Harris County HHW facility at Hahl Rd (290 & Gessner area) has very limited hours — only Tue/Wed plus select Saturdays — and requires an appointment. Plan ahead: spots fill up.
- Houston 311 (dial 3-1-1 or submit online) can provide HHW guidance and help schedule services. The 311.houstontx.gov site has a solid waste section with HHW info.
- Best Buy in Houston charges $29.99 for TVs over 50" — typical for the retailer nationwide. CRTs may have additional fees. Three items per household per day limit applies.
- Louisiana and Oklahoma do not have e-waste laws either, making Texas's TCEQ manufacturer programs the only formal electronics recycling framework in the region.
Harris County household hazardous waste
City of Houston Environmental Service Centers (North & South)
Free for City of Houston residents. Two drive-through ESC locations: North (5614 Neches St) and South (11500 S Post Oak Rd). Mon-Sat 8 AM-5 PM. HHW, electronics, paint, and batteries accepted. No appointment needed (unlike Harris County HHW facility which requires one).
Other Houston programs
- City of Houston Environmental Service Center — NorthFree HHW drop-off for City of Houston residents. 5614 Neches St, Houston 77026. Hours: Monday–Saturday 8 AM–5 PM. Closed Sunday. No appointment needed. Accepts HHW, electronics, batteries, paint, automotive fluids, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, and more.
- City of Houston Environmental Service Center — SouthFree HHW drop-off for City of Houston residents. 11500 S Post Oak Rd, Houston 77035. Hours: Monday–Saturday 8 AM–5 PM. Closed Sunday. No appointment needed. Same services as the North ESC.
- Harris County Household Hazardous Waste FacilityFree HHW disposal for Harris County residents who live outside City of Houston jurisdiction. 6900 Hahl Rd, Houston 77040. Appointment only — Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9 AM–3 PM, 2nd & 4th Saturdays 9 AM–2 PM. Serves residents who do not receive City of Houston services/pay City taxes.346-286-4299
- Harris County HazMobile EventsSeasonal mobile HHW collection events conducted in Spring and Fall for each of Harris County's four precincts. Free for Harris County residents. Locations rotate — check county website for precinct-specific schedules.346-286-4294
- Westpark Consumer Recycling CenterCity of Houston consumer recycling drop-off. 5900 Westpark Dr, Houston 77057. Monday–Saturday 8 AM–5 PM. Accepts residential electronics (computers, monitors, TVs, printers) plus paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastic bottles. Free. No HHW — those go to the ESC locations.713-837-0311
- CompuCycle — Free Residential Electronics RecyclingFree drop-off for all consumer electronics at 8019 Kempwood Dr, Houston 77055. R2 and e-Stewards certified, processes everything in-house at its 130,000 sq ft facility. City of Houston's partnered e-waste recycler. Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM. No appliances, paint, light bulbs, or HHW.713-690-2000
- Ellington Permanent E-Waste Drop-Off (City partnership)City of Houston partnership with CompuCycle for a permanent residential e-waste drop-off site near Ellington Airport. Free for Houston residents. Appointment required. All data destroyed. Call CompuCycle for details.713-690-2000
- Call2Recycle battery drop-off (Houston)Free rechargeable and lithium-ion battery drop-off at participating Houston-area Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Staples, and other retail locations. Do NOT bring damaged, defective, or recalled (DDR) batteries to collection sites. Tape terminals before drop-off.
- Goodwill Houston + CompuCycle PartnershipFree electronics recycling at 50+ Goodwill Houston donation centers. All e-waste processed locally at CompuCycle's R2/e-Stewards certified facility. Part of the Dell Reconnect program. Working and non-working electronics accepted.
- Texas Recycles Computers Program (TCEQ)State law requires computer manufacturers selling in Texas to offer free recycling of their own brand-labeled computer equipment to households. Covers desktops, laptops, tablets, monitors, and computer peripherals. Manufacturers registered with TCEQ include Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, and many more.800-732-9253
- Texas Recycles TVs Program (TCEQ)TV manufacturers must register with TCEQ and file a recovery plan. Covers most consumer televisions (CRT, LCD, LED, plasma). Households can return brand-labeled TVs to the manufacturer's free takeback program.800-732-9253
- AutoZone & O'Reilly — Car Battery RecyclingFree lead-acid car battery recycling at multiple Houston-area AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts locations. Core deposit refunded if buying new. Also accepts marine, motorcycle, and lawn tractor batteries.
Where this came from: 15 sources
- www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/esc.html (opens in a new tab)
- www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/ewaste.html (opens in a new tab)
- www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/dropoff.html (opens in a new tab)
- www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/Ellington.pdf (opens in a new tab)
- 311.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/hhw.html (opens in a new tab)
- oce.harriscountytx.gov/Services/Household-Hazardous-Waste (opens in a new tab)
- compucycle.com/residential-electronics-recycling (opens in a new tab)
- www.goodwillhouston.org/goodwill-houston-partners-with-compucycle-to-offer-responsible-electronics-recycling (opens in a new tab)
- technocycle.com (opens in a new tab)
- www.tceq.texas.gov/p2/recycle/electronics (opens in a new tab)
- www.tceq.texas.gov/p2/recycle/electronics/manufacturer-list.html (opens in a new tab)
- www.paintcare.org/states_/recycle-paint-texas (opens in a new tab)
- locations.call2recycle.org/tx/houston (opens in a new tab)
- h-gac.com/solid-waste-management/recycling/used-electronics (opens in a new tab)
- abc13.com/post/free-electronic-recycling-stop-abc13-earth-day-cycle-drive-compucycle-april-24-2026-drop-off-old-items/18824180 (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
About Paint Disposal here
How much does Paint disposal cost in this area?
All 4 facilities accept Paint for free.
Do I need an appointment for Paint drop-off?
1 facility requires an appointment: Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Houston Environmental Service Center - North, Houston Environmental Service Center - South, Houston ESC - Paint Disposal (Latex & Oil-Based) accept walk-ins.
Is pickup available for Paint?
Most facilities require you to drop off Paint. Check individual listings for special arrangements.
Are there quantity limits for Paint drop-off?
Some facilities have limits: Houston Environmental Service Center - North: Residential quantities; Houston Environmental Service Center - South: Residential quantities; Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Facility: Residential quantities; Houston ESC - Paint Disposal (Latex & Oil-Based): Residential quantities.