Junk disposal in Houston, TX: mattresses, couches, furniture, appliances, TVs & electronics, paint & hazardous waste

Here's how to legally get rid of bulky junk in Houston, item by item. Every option links to the official city or county page we checked. Where we couldn't verify something, we say so. Check the linked page or call your city's service line.

Quick answer by item

Mattresses and box springs

Mattress short answer: If your home gets City of Houston curbside service, put the mattress out as heavy trash on your assigned date. Heavy trash runs every other month. Set it out no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the Friday before and by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.

Mattress options at a glance

• City of Houston heavy trash (junk waste) collection

  Cost: Included in City curbside service (check the official page) · Type: City pickup

  Mattresses and box springs are accepted junk waste. Heavy trash is collected every other month for eligible addresses with City curbside service, up to six curbside collections per calendar year. Set out between 6:00 p.m. the Friday before and 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled day, just behind the curb line. Not in the street or on the sidewalk. source

• HTX Collects app / schedule lookup

  Cost: Free · Type: City tool

  Look up your heavy trash day, set reminders, and use the Waste Wizard to find drop-off options near you between collection days. source

Step by step

1. Look up your heavy trash date with the City's schedule lookup or the HTX Collects app.
2. Set the mattress out in the window: 6:00 p.m. the Friday before through 7:00 a.m. collection day.
3. Place it just behind the curb line in front of your home. Not in the street, not on the sidewalk.

Apartment or outside city service?

Heavy trash collection is for eligible addresses with City curbside service. If you rent in a complex or live in a suburb or MUD with its own hauler, ask your property manager or hauler.

Need it gone sooner?

Heavy trash comes every other month. To find drop-off options, use the HTX Collects Waste Wizard. For same-day haul-away, a paid junk-removal service is the fallback.

Sources: Houston Solid Waste: Heavy Trash Collection; HTX Collects. Checked 2026-10-12. Rules change, so confirm on the official page before you set anything out.

Couches and furniture

Household furniture (couches, tables, dressers) and carpet (bundled) go out on your heavy trash date. Use the same set-out window: 6 p.m. the Friday before through 7 a.m. collection day, just behind the curb. Houston also lists six Residential Drop-Off Centers for bulk items. (Heavy Trash; Drop-Off Centers)

Appliances (fridges, freezers, AC: freon)

Stoves, washers, dryers and water heaters are accepted as heavy trash. Refrigerators and freezers are accepted only with a certified technician's tag showing the refrigerant has been removed. (Heavy Trash)

TVs, computers and electronics (e-waste)

Don't put electronics at the curb with garbage or heavy trash. Take them to an Environmental Service Center: South, 11500 S. Post Oak Rd. (Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 8–5) or North, 5614 Neches St. (second Thursday of each month 9–3). Limit: 5 large electronic items per visit. Monthly Saturday e-waste events also run 9–3 at Kingwood (1st Saturday) and Ellington/Clear Lake (2nd Saturday). (Environmental Service Centers; Electronics & Recycling)

Paint and household hazardous waste

Household hazardous waste goes to the Environmental Service Centers (addresses and hours above), City of Houston residents only, no business waste. Latex paint, used oil, antifreeze and batteries can also go to the Westpark Consumer Recycling Center. The City's limits: two 5-gallon and ten 1-gallon paint cans, 5 gallons of oil, 5 gallons of antifreeze. HHW information line: 713.551.7355. (Houston HHW)

Rules, hours and fees change. Confirm on the linked official page before you set anything out or drive anywhere.

Last verified: 2026-10-12