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Texas Recycling Rules: What to Know in Major Cities
Texas recycling isn’t one-size-fits-all. What’s accepted in one city might not be in the next one. Understanding your local recycling guidelines can help clarify. It makes a difference because sometimes tossing the wrong item in the bin can contaminate entire batches, making them unrecyclable. Whether you live in Austin or Fort Worth, knowing your city’s rules helps protect the environment and keeps recycling programs running smoothly.
Green Mountain Energy is ‘Team Recycle’
Keeping the planet as clean as possible matters to us. Renewable energy isn't our only core practice — it’s recycling too.
At Green Mountain Energy, we use 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper printed with soy ink for any of our printing or mailing materials. We also work with FSC-certified printers to ensure that we use products supporting forest conservation.
By using 100% renewable energy in our offices, we've also offset 100% of our measured corporate carbon footprint since 2002.
Understanding Texas recycling rules city by city
Texas cities don’t share a universal Texas recycling standard. Differences in municipal contracts, processing centers, and vendor capabilities mean each city sets its own rules. For example, one city might accept glass curbside while another requires drop-off. National recycling advice often misses these local nuances, so it’s best to check your city’s official guidelines before you sort.
City-by-city breakdown
Austin
- Accepted curbside: Paper, cardboard, plastics #1–7, metal cans, glass
- Not accepted: Plastic bags, Styrofoam, greasy pizza boxes
- Hard-to-recycle items: Drop off electronics and batteries at Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center
- Get started here
Houston
- Accepted curbside: Paper, cardboard, plastics #1–5, aluminum, tin
- Not accepted: Glass, plastic bags, food-soiled items
- Hard-to-recycle items: The Houston Zoo accepts old holiday lights during the season and cell phones year-round
- Get started here
San Antonio
- Accepted curbside: Paper, cardboard, plastics #1 & #2, aluminum, tin
- Not accepted: Glass, plastic bags, food waste
- Hard-to-recycle items: Bulky item collection available by request; electronics accepted at designated drop-off sites
- Get started: here
Dallas
- Accepted curbside: Paper, cardboard, plastics #1–7, metal cans
- Not accepted: Styrofoam, plastic bags, ceramics
- Hard-to-recycle items: Drop off electronics and household hazardous waste at Dallas Environmental Collection Center
- Get started here
Fort Worth
- Accepted curbside: Paper, cardboard, plastics #1–7, aluminum, tin
- Not accepted: Glass, plastic bags, food waste
- Hard-to-recycle items: Fort Worth hosts drop-off events for electronics, paint, and chemicals
- Get started here
What to do with items that don’t go in the recycle bin
Some items — like appliances, electronics, mattresses, batteries, chemicals, paint, plastic bags and Styrofoam — require special handling. For many of these, if you live in Texas a little extra effort delivers a solid solution.
Many cities offer drop-off events or permanent collection sites. Some electronics retailers accept electronics, and some hardware outlets and grocery stores have bins for plastic bags. For a database of recycling options like these that's searchable by zip code, visit https://earth911.com.
Small actions, big impact
Recycling right isn’t just about following rules — it’s about making a difference. By learning your city’s guidelines and disposing of items properly, you help reduce contamination, conserve resources and support a cleaner Texas.
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