Houston Environmental Service Center South

Can I use it?

What to bring

• The address on the ID and the bill or lease must match
• Household waste only; waste from a business is not accepted

When to go

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8am to 5pm.

West University Place residents need a voucher from West U first.

What they take

• Cleaners and household chemicals
• Weed and bug killers, fertilizer
• Aerosol cans
• Car fluids (antifreeze, brake fluid)
• Motor oil
• Cooking oil
• Stains, thinners and solvents
• Old paint
• Gas and other fuels
• TVs, computers and electronics
• Rechargeable and lithium batteries
• Fluorescent bulbs and tubes
• Propane tanks
• Mercury and thermostats
• Pool chemicals
• Tires

In their words: acids, aerosol cans, degreasers, fertilizers, herbicides, household chemicals, pesticide, antifreeze, brake fluid, cooking oil, drain cleaners, kerosene, motor oil, power steering fluid, solvents, transmission fluid, varnishes, paints (latex and oil base), paint stains/thinners, fuels, computer equipment and components, monitors, printers, TVs, small electrical appliances, electronic scrap, telephone equipment, car waxes, batteries: lithium ion and rechargeable only, fluorescent bulbs, helium and propane tanks, lawn equipment (all fluids removed), mercury, metal polish, thermostats, metal/wire clothes hangers, microwaves, pool chemicals, tires.

What they turn away

• ✕waste generated by a business
• ✕alkaline batteries (only lithium ion and rechargeable batteries are taken)

Limits per visit

• Chemical waste: 100 lbs total combined weight per visit, not bagged
• Automotive fluids: 25 quarts
• Paint (latex and oil-based): 25 gallons
• Paint stains and thinners: 25 gallons
• Fuels: 15 gallons; gas cans stay at the center, or pour fuel into clean buckets with lids before you come
• Electronics: 5 large items combined per visit (TVs up to 30 inches)
• Fluorescent bulbs: 10 four-foot and 6 eight-foot
• Helium and propane tanks: 5-gallon tank maximum
• Microwaves: 2 per visit
• Tires: 5 per residence per month, no commercial vehicle tires
• Mercury items and thermostats must not be broken
• Pool chemicals must not be wet
• Lawn equipment: all fluids removed

What it costs

West University Place residents

$75 fee covered by a free West U voucher · Fee named on West U's page only; ends when West U's 2026 vouchers run out

Where it is

Other options they point to

Latex paint, used oil, antifreeze and batteries can also go to the city's Westpark Recycling Center. The city says old medicines can go in the trash if crushed, and needles can go in the trash in a secure, rigid container.

Good to know

Gas cans are not returned: leave them at the center or pour the fuel into clean buckets with lids before you come. Do not bag chemicals.