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Free ways to get rid of junk in Texas's biggest cities

Updated November 13, 2026

Most big Texas cities let residents drop off bulky trash for free, but each has its own rules on ID, what's accepted and how often you can come. Here's what each city offers and what to bring.

Houston

Houston residents can drop off furniture, mattresses, appliances, yard waste and other bulky items for free at six city Residential Drop-Off Centers, open Tuesday through Saturday. Household garbage isn't accepted there. Paint, chemicals and electronics go to the city's Environmental Service Centers, also free.

What you need: A Texas photo ID plus a City of Houston utility bill (current or last two months) or lease with the same address. Up to 4 visits a month.

See every dump site in Houston

San Antonio

San Antonio has four Bulky Waste Collection Centers that are free if you pay the city's Environmental Fee on your CPS Energy bill. They take furniture, mattresses, appliances and up to 1 cubic yard of construction materials, but not household trash or brush. The Culebra center also takes household hazardous waste. Four times a year, the city also holds a Free Landfill Day at the two private landfills.

What you need: A photo ID and a recent CPS Energy bill showing the Environmental Fee. Up to 4 cubic yards of bulky items per visit.

Bitters Bulky Waste Collection Center

1800 Wurzbach Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78216
Bulky waste drop-off centerResidents only
Hours: Tue–Fri 8:00 am–5:00 pm
Fees: Free if you pay the City's Environmental Fee

Culebra Bulky Waste Collection Center

7030 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX 78238
Bulky waste drop-off center + Household hazardous waste drop-offResidents only
Hours: Bulky waste: Tue–Fri 8:00 am–5:00 pm, Sat 8:00 am–4:00 pm
Fees: Free if you pay the City's Environmental Fee

See every dump site in San Antonio

Dallas

Dallas residents can dump for free at the city's McCommas Bluff Landfill and its three transfer stations, as long as they're hauling their own waste in a car, pickup or trailer under 15 feet. Several nearby cities have their own deals: Mesquite residents can use the city Convenience Center for free once a month, Grand Prairie residents get five free landfill loads a year, and Irving residents can drop off small household loads, yard waste and recycling for free.

What you need: For Dallas: a driver's license with a Dallas address, or a license plus a current Dallas water bill.

Mesquite Convenience Center

3550 Lawson Rd, Mesquite, TX 75181
Citizens collection stationResidents only
Hours: Mon–Sat 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Fees: Free for Mesquite residents

City of Grand Prairie Landfill

1102 Macarthur Blvd, Grand Prairie, TX 75050
LandfillResidents only
Hours: Mon–Sat 7:30 am–4:30 pm
Fees: Residents: 5 free loads per year, then $10 per load

Irving Hunter Ferrell Landfill

110 E Hunter Ferrell Rd, Irving, TX 75060
LandfillResidents only
Hours: Mon–Sat 7:00 am–5:30 pm
Fees: $52 per ton, charged as $13 per 500 lb (from Oct 1, 2025)

See every dump site in Dallas

Fort Worth and Arlington

Fort Worth has four Drop-Off Stations for residents with a city sanitation account. They take trash, bulky items, brush, appliances, electronics, tires and household chemicals, and the city doesn't list a fee for residents. Paint and chemicals can also go to the Environmental Collection Center, which is free for Fort Worth and partner cities. In Arlington, homeowners get three free landfill visits a year.

What you need: For Fort Worth: a water bill from the last 6 months showing sanitation charges, plus a matching driver's license. For Arlington: a Texas ID matching your Arlington Water Utilities account.

Fort Worth Brennan Drop-Off Station

2400 Brennan Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76106
Citizens collection stationResidents only
Hours: Tue–Fri 8:00 am–5:00 pm
Fees: No fee listed for Fort Worth residents with a city sanitation account

Fort Worth Southeast Drop-Off Station (MLK Fwy)

5150 Martin Luther King Fwy, Fort Worth, TX 76119
Citizens collection stationResidents only
Hours: Tue–Fri 8:00 am–5:00 pm
Fees: No fee listed for Fort Worth residents with a city sanitation account

Fort Worth Old Hemphill Road Drop-Off Station

6260 Old Hemphill Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76134
Citizens collection stationResidents only
Hours: Tue–Fri 8:00 am–5:00 pm
Fees: No fee listed for Fort Worth residents with a city sanitation account

Fort Worth Environmental Collection Center

6400 Bridge St, Fort Worth, TX
Household hazardous waste drop-offResidents only
Hours: Thu–Fri 11:00 am–7:00 pm
Fees: Free for residents of Fort Worth and participating cities

City of Arlington Landfill

800 Mosier Valley Rd, Euless, TX 76040
LandfillResidents only
Hours: Mon–Sat 7:00 am–4:30 pm
Fees: Homeowners: 3 free visits a year

See every dump site in Fort Worth

Austin

Austin's free option is for hazardous waste and recycling, not trash. The Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center is free for Austin and Travis County residents (tires cost $6) and takes paint, chemicals, electronics, appliances and scrap metal by appointment. For regular trash, Travis County's 1431 Collection Center is a low-cost option at a few dollars per cubic yard.

What you need: For the Recycle & Reuse Center: an appointment and proof you live in Austin or Travis County.

Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center

2514 Business Center Dr, Austin, TX 78744
Recycling and hazardous waste drop-offAppointment needed
Hours: By appointment (book online or in the Austin Recycles app)
Fees: Residents: free (tires $6 each)

See every dump site in Austin

El Paso

El Paso residents can use five Citizen Collection Stations for trash, bulky items, recycling and small amounts of paint and motor oil. The city doesn't list a fee for residents, but you need to request a pass first.

What you need: A pass from the city, plus a current water bill and a valid ID with the same address. Up to 4 visits a month.

See every dump site in El Paso

Tips for a free drop-off

Each listing links to the city or operator page we used. Rules change, so check before you go, and let us know if something is out of date.