What Can I Recycle
The City of Austin maintains an up-to-date, comprehensive database of proper disposal options all over Austin. Please see What Do I Do With? for more information. Please see MRM Consumer Collection for a listing of electronic recycling drop-off facilities. 
Index:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Note: The following is provided for informational purposes only and may not always be completely accurate or up to date. Any company or site listed here is not neccessarily associated with or endorsed by Ecology Action of Texas, Inc. If the location listed below is not near your house, you may find a closer one by calling a similar business in your area. Please call first to be sure each location is still taking your items and is open. Please report any incorrect or additional information to us by e-mail or call 322-0000.
| Aerosol Cans | see "Hazardous Chemicals" |
| Aluminum Cans verified 2007-11-1 |
At all our centers. |
| Aluminum Foil verified 2007-11-1 |
Central Austin |
| Appliances |
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| Antifreeze/Coolant (55 gallons plus) |
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| Batteries verified 2007-05-06 |
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) lists many places in Austin that you can take any defunct rechareable battery. Use this search of theirs to locate the place nearest to you. Some of those places will only take such batteries when you buy new ones or equipment using them, so be cognizant of their restrictions. For non-rechargeables, see"Hazardous Chemicals" |
| Bicycles | The Yellow Bike Project / Bikes Not Bombs of Texas will accept used bicycles. |
| Blueprints | Re-use them as wrapping paper! We have no current contact for actual recycling of these. |
| Books |
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| Building Materials | Habitat for Humanity accepts materials in good and reusable condition. Deliver materials to 310 Comal St., or call (512) 478-2165 for more information. |
| Cardboard verified 2007-11-1 |
Central Austin |
| Cardboard Boxes verified 2007-05-07 |
Small and medium sized shipping boxes (no XL or wardrobes) like "Moving boxes" in good condition! are accepted at Tesoros Trading Company, 209 Congress, during business hours or anytime 1 block west of Lamar at 506 Baylor Street. |
| Carpet Pads | Several area carpet companies will accept used carpet pads and possibly actual carpet for recycling at no cost.
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| Catalogs verified 2007-11-1 |
At all our centers. Put them in with the mixed paper. |
| Cell phones verified 2007-11-1 |
Central Austin |
| Cleaners (such as solvents, degreasers, acids, and drain cleaners) |
See "Hazardous Chemicals" |
| Compact Disc Cases | Waterloo Records & Video, 600 N. Lamar Blvd., will accept empty plastic compact disc cases. Call 512-474-2500, and ask for Troy. Please call before visiting. Cycled Plastics will accept empty plastic compact disks cases, please call before dropping off 512 339 8787. |
| Computers (outdated and new): |
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| Computer Paper verified 2007-11-1 |
Central Austin |
| Engine Coolant/Anti-Freeze | Recycled Engine Coolant, 154 Trademark, Buda, 512-312-5295. |
| Film Canisters | Many area photo stores take these for recycling. For one, Precision Camera takes them at 3810 N. Lamar (near Central Market), 467-7676. |
| Flea Collars | See "Hazardous Chemicals" |
| Greeting Cards | verified 2007-05-06. This organization NO LONGER accepts used greeting cards for art projects: St. Judes Ranch for Children |
| Glass Bottles verified 2007-11-1 |
At all our centers. |
| Hazardous Chemicals & Products | The City of Austin's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility will accept hazardous household chemicals and other items from individuals who are residents of Travis County. They are open Tuesday and Wednesday from Noon to 6 p.m. and the First Saturday of the month from 7 a.m. to Noon.They are located at 2514 Business Center Drive. For more information, please call 974-4343. There is also a program for small businesses called the Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Program. If you are interested in learning more about this program, call (512) 499-1930 or (512) 499-1953 or visit http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/hhw.htm. |
| Ink-Jet Cartridges | Your empty cartridges can go to:
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| Junk Mail verified 2006-12-22 |
Central Austin. |
| Metal, scrap (other than aluminum and metal cans) | The following companies will pay for scrap metal. For other dealers and locations, see "Recycling" in the Yellow Pages.
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| Magazines verified 2007-11-1 |
Central Austin |
| Motor Oil, Used | Many places that change oil will accept used motor oil. To find the used oil collection center closest to you, call the City of Austin Solid Waste Services at 512-494-9400, or see their website at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/usedoil.htm. |
| Newspaper verified 2007-11-1 |
Central Austin |
| Office Paper. No envelopes or sticky notes. verified 2007-11-1 |
Central Austin |
| Packing Materials | These companies will accept styrofoam peanuts and other packing materials:
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| Paint, Stains, Varnishes and Paint Thinners | See "Hazardous Chemicals" |
| Pallets, Wooden |
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| Paperboard (cereal boxes, etc.) verified 2007-11-1 |
Central Austin |
| Pest Strips | See "Hazardous Chemicals" |
| Pesticides and Fertilizers | See "Hazardous Chemicals" |
| Pharmaceuticals | See "Hazardous Chemicals" |
| Phone Books verified 2007-11-1 |
Central Austin |
| Photographic Chemicals | See "Hazardous Chemicals" |
| Pool Chemicals | See "Hazardous Chemicals" |
| Plastic Bags | Many grocery stores take grocery, dry cleaning, newspaper and any light bags with a 2 or 4 code on them. the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless accepts them as well. Envirobag, at 1-800-866-3954, will pay your classroom to collect grocery bags that they will recycle into trash bags! |
| Plastic Bottles |
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| Plastic margarine tubs, yogurt containers, anything other than screw-top bottles | Many art departments use these to clean paint brushes and gardeners take these at times to use for seedlings. Please inquire at our center or call 322-0000. |
| Playground Equipment | Isiah Hernandez of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin will accept playground equipment in good condition. Call (512) 477-4488. |
| Saw Dust | Austin Community Gardens at 458-2009. |
| Shoes (running) |
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| Styrofoam Egg Cartons | You can drop them off at:
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| Styrofoam Packing Peanuts |
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Styrofoam, all types |
http://www.hdiplastics.com/services.html |
| Tin Cans verified 2007-11-1 |
In all our centers. |
| Tires | Many area tire stores take tires for recycling but call first. Any Sears location will take them for a $2 state mandated fee. Interested tire recyclers should call Marilee Montana at the TNRCC (512) 239-2564. |
| Vinyl Siding | Contact your local siding store for information, we have no current information. |
| VHS | www.greendisk.com |
| Water Heaters, Stoves, Washing Machines, Dryers | Central Austin |