Know What Cobbs Accepts Before You Load the Car
Cobbs Recycling Center at 4201 Trice Ave. combines public self-service recycling with additional drop-off services for qualifying City of Waco residential trash customers.
The key distinction is simple: many separated recyclables are available to everyone, while motor oil, antifreeze, latex paint, bulky and brush waste, tires and refrigerant-containing appliances have separate Waco-resident rules, limits or fees.
Quick answer for Cobbs Recycling Center visitors
Anyone can use Cobbs for accepted self-service recycling, regardless of where they live, as long as materials are separated by type. Current public categories include #1 drink bottles, #2 hard-plastic containers, glass bottles and food jars, steel/tin cans, aluminum cans, clean paper and cardboard, liquid cooking oil, qualifying household batteries, CFL bulbs, packing Styrofoam and limited electronic waste.
Extra services for Waco residential trash customers require a recent qualifying Waco utility bill plus matching photo ID.
How Cobbs Recycling Center works
Cobbs is a City of Waco self-service recycling and drop-off facility. It is not an unrestricted mixed-trash dump, and it should not be treated as a general household hazardous-waste site.
Public recycling
Accepted separated household recycling is available regardless of where you live.
Waco resident extras
Qualifying City residential customers receive additional services for bulky waste, brush, latex paint, motor oil, antifreeze and filters.
Fee items
Tires and refrigerant-containing appliances have published City fees or preparation requirements.
Self-service unloading
Sort your materials before arriving and use the facility’s designated material areas.
Hazardous materials
Old gasoline, propane cylinders, radioactive material and household hazardous waste are currently listed as unacceptable.
No commercial waste
Industrial and commercial/business waste is not accepted through normal Cobbs service.
Cobbs Recycling Center hours, address and contact
| Detail | Current information |
|---|---|
| Address | 4201 Trice Ave., Waco, TX 76710 |
| Monday | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Bulky & brush bays | Close at 4:45 p.m. so staff can clear the area before closing. |
| Solid Waste customer service | 254-299-2489 |
| Cobbs center contact | 254-751-8536 |
| Solid Waste email | solidwasteinfo@wacotx.gov |
What anyone can recycle at Cobbs
The City’s current Cobbs page says these household recycling categories can be brought in regardless of where the visitor lives. Materials should be separated by material type.
| Material | Currently listed | Preparation or restriction |
|---|---|---|
| #1 plastic | Drink bottles | Empty the container and keep it separate from other material types. |
| #2 plastic | Hard-plastic containers | Other plastic resin numbers should not be assumed accepted. |
| Glass | Clear, brown, blue and green bottles and food jars | No windows, coffee-table glass or dishes. |
| Metal | Steel/tin cans and aluminum cans | Keep separated from other streams. |
| Paper | Cardboard, magazines, mail and paper cups | No food-contaminated cardboard, paper plates or take-out pizza boxes. |
| Cooking oil | Liquid cooking oil | No solid grease. |
| Household batteries | Qualifying household batteries | No lithium-ion batteries or car batteries in this stream. |
| CFL bulbs | Curly compact fluorescent bulbs | Transport intact to reduce breakage risk. |
| Packing Styrofoam | Packing foam | No food-service Styrofoam containers. |
| Electronic waste | Computers and cell phones | Do not assume every electronic device, charger or cable is currently accepted. |
Extra services for qualifying City of Waco residents
The following services are tied to qualifying Waco residential trash service rather than being open public recycling streams.
Used motor oil
Used motor oil, antifreeze and oil filters are accepted for qualifying residents, with a published limit of up to 5 gallons per month.
Latex paint
Qualifying residents may bring up to 5 gallons of latex paint per month.
Bulky and brush waste
Residents receive four qualifying drop-off visits with a maximum of 8 cubic yards per visit.
Refrigerant appliances
Refrigerators and other refrigerant-containing appliances need certified refrigerant removal or the City’s removal service and fee.
Tires
Qualifying residential tires are accepted subject to rim, size, quantity and fee rules.
Proof is required
The qualifying utility bill and matching photo-ID requirements apply to these resident-only services.
Waco resident proof requirements
The City says residents using the additional residential services should bring a copy of their Waco Water Bill or the electronic version displayed on a phone. The bill must be within 30 days of its due date and include a Waco residential service address with a Waco residential trash-service charge.
A photo ID is also required, and the ID address must match the service address for these residential services.
Cobbs tire and refrigerant-appliance fees
| Item | Fee / limit | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator or other refrigerant appliance | $15 refrigerant-removal fee per appliance when City removal is required | Otherwise, the appliance must have a label or tag showing refrigerant was removed by a certified technician. |
| Tire 15 inches or smaller | $3.50 per tire | Maximum four per visit; tire must be off the rim. |
| Tire 16–20 inches | $6.00 per tire | Maximum four per visit; off the rim; no commercial or industrial tires. |
| Tire over 20 inches | Not accepted through standard residential tire service | The City recommends contacting an OTR tire dealer. |
Bulky waste and brush drop-off rules
Qualifying residential customers may use Cobbs for four bulky/brush drop-off visits, with each visit limited to no more than 8 cubic yards. The City describes this as approximately a full-size pickup-truck load.
- Bulky and brush bays close at 4:45 p.m.
- Loose loads must be tarped during transport.
- The drop-off area is self-service.
- Appliances recycled under the refrigerant program do not count toward bulky-waste visits.
- Tires recycled under the tire program do not count toward bulky-waste visits.
- Construction and remodeling debris is not accepted as normal Cobbs bulky waste.
Latex paint, motor oil, antifreeze and filters
Latex paint
Qualifying Waco residents can bring up to 5 gallons of latex paint per month. Household hazardous waste as a general category is still listed as unacceptable, so do not assume solvent-based paint, fuel or unidentified chemical products follow the same rule.
Used motor oil and antifreeze
Qualifying residents can bring used motor oil, antifreeze and oil filters. The published resident-service limit is up to 5 gallons per month.
Electronics recycling at Cobbs
The current Cobbs webpage specifically names computers and cell phones under electronic waste. It also lists scrapped-out televisions/electronics plus chargers and cables among unacceptable items.
Because the City’s older materials were broader than its current webpage, verify televisions, monitors, printers, tablets, peripherals, cables and unusual electronic equipment before making a special trip.
Protect personal information before recycling
- Back up files you still need.
- Sign out of cloud and device accounts.
- Remove SIM cards and removable memory.
- Factory-reset or securely erase the device when practical.
- Confirm current Cobbs acceptance for the exact device.
For additional preparation guidance, see the electronic recycling center guide.
Items currently listed as unacceptable at Cobbs
Construction debris
Remodeling or construction debris is not accepted through normal Cobbs service.
Commercial waste
Industrial and commercial/business waste is excluded.
Propane and gasoline
Propane cylinders and old gasoline are currently listed as unacceptable.
Hazardous material
Household hazardous waste and radioactive materials require another route.
Garbage and food
Household garbage, food waste and plastic bags do not belong in Cobbs recycling streams.
Problem equipment
Leaking equipment, speakers in wooden cabinets and scrapped-out televisions/electronics are listed as unacceptable.
Cobbs Recycling Center vs Waco curbside recycling
Cobbs is especially useful for material that cannot go in the normal blue recycling cart, but ordinary accepted household recycling can often stay in curbside service.
| Material | Blue curbside cart | Cobbs |
|---|---|---|
| #1 and #2 plastic | Accepted when prepared under City curbside rules | Accepted |
| Clean cardboard | Accepted | Accepted |
| Metal cans | Accepted | Accepted |
| Glass bottles and jars | Use current City curbside guidance | Accepted in listed colors |
| Packing Styrofoam | No | Accepted packing foam |
| Cooking oil | No | Liquid cooking oil accepted |
Waco curbside recycling operates on an every-other-week schedule. Use the City’s address-based collection calendar for exact dates.
Waco solid-waste changes beginning October 1, 2026
Beginning October 1, 2026, Waco is changing parts of its residential solid-waste system. These changes are relevant when deciding whether yard waste needs curbside service, Cobbs or the landfill.
Yard-waste choices
Residents will be able to use applicable gray-cart service, request qualifying yard-waste collection, or use qualifying resident drop-off options at Cobbs or the landfill under the City’s updated program.
Holiday collection
During holiday weeks, affected trash collection will move one day later rather than being moved to an earlier collection day.
When to use the Waco landfill or transfer station instead
Cobbs is not intended for every waste stream. Construction debris, larger waste loads and other non-Cobbs material may need the City landfill or transfer station.
City of Waco Landfill
4730 TK Parkway
Axtell, TX 76624
Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Sunday: Closed
Qualifying City solid-waste customers can dispose of up to 2,000 pounds of municipal solid waste four times per year at no additional charge, subject to proof requirements.
Waco Transfer Station
6171 S. University Parks Dr.
Waco, TX 76706
Monday–Friday: 6:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Sunday: Closed
Brush and yard waste are not accepted at the transfer station.
Current landfill and transfer-station disposal rates
| Waste/service | Current published rate |
|---|---|
| Municipal solid waste — McLennan County residents | $52 per ton |
| Municipal solid waste — others | $75 per ton |
| Construction/demolition without concrete or bricks | $75 per ton |
| Construction/demolition with concrete or bricks | $125 per ton |
| Landfill minimum charge | $10 minimum |
| Transfer-station municipal solid waste | $72 per ton |
Before-you-drive checklist for Cobbs
- Identify the material first. Decide whether it belongs in public self-service recycling, resident-only service, a fee program, bulky/brush service or another disposal route.
- Separate recyclables at home. Cobbs uses separated material streams.
- Check the day’s operating status. Standard hours are Monday–Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., but holiday or operational closures can override them.
- Arrive before 4:45 p.m. with bulky or brush loads. Those bays close before the rest of the facility.
- Bring proof for resident-only services. Have the qualifying Waco utility bill and matching photo ID ready.
- Check quantity limits. Paint, automotive fluids, tires and bulky/brush services all have limits.
- Tarp loose loads. Secure bulky and brush material during transport.
- Remove tires from rims. Cobbs’ residential tire program requires tires to be off the rim.
- Verify unusual electronics. The current City webpage is narrower than some older Cobbs materials.
- Do not transport hazardous or leaking material without checking first. Call the City when the material is not clearly listed.
Common Cobbs mistakes and what to do instead
| Mistake | Why it fails | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Bringing unsorted mixed recycling | Cobbs is a separated self-service recycling facility. | Sort plastic, paper, glass, metal and specialty items before leaving home. |
| Assuming all services are open to everyone | Basic recycling is public, but several extra services require qualifying Waco residential trash service. | Check whether the item is public recycling or resident-only. |
| Putting lithium-ion batteries in the household-battery stream | The current Cobbs page specifically excludes lithium-ion batteries from that stream. | Use a verified lithium-battery recycling route. |
| Taking greasy pizza boxes as recyclable cardboard | Food-contaminated cardboard is excluded. | Recycle only clean qualifying cardboard. |
| Arriving at 4:55 p.m. with brush | The bulky and brush bays close at 4:45 p.m. | Arrive early enough to unload before the bay closes. |
| Taking construction debris to Cobbs | Construction/remodeling debris is on the unacceptable list. | Check the City landfill or another appropriate disposal route. |
Official Waco resources and related recycling guides
Cobbs Recycling Center map and directions
Cobbs Recycling Center is located at 4201 Trice Ave., Waco, TX 76710.
Frequently asked questions about Cobbs Recycling Center
Where is Cobbs Recycling Center?
Cobbs Recycling Center is at 4201 Trice Ave., Waco, TX 76710.
What are Cobbs Recycling Center hours?
The City currently lists Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The bulky and brush bays close at 4:45 p.m. Sunday is closed.
Can non-Waco residents use Cobbs?
Yes. Basic self-service recycling accepts qualifying separated household recyclables regardless of where the visitor lives. Additional resident services require qualifying City of Waco residential trash service.
What proof do Waco residents need?
For resident-only services, bring a Waco utility bill within 30 days of its due date showing a qualifying Waco residential address and residential trash-service charge, plus a photo ID whose address matches the service address.
Does Cobbs accept glass?
Yes. Clear, brown, blue and green glass bottles and food jars are currently accepted. Windows, coffee-table glass and dishes are not accepted in this recycling stream.
Does Cobbs accept Styrofoam?
Yes. Packing Styrofoam is accepted. Food-service Styrofoam containers are not.
Can Waco residents take latex paint to Cobbs?
Yes. Qualifying residents may bring up to 5 gallons of latex paint per month.
How many tires can I take to Cobbs?
Qualifying residential customers may bring up to four tires per visit. Tires must be off the rim and no larger than 20 inches. Current fees are $3.50 each for tires 15 inches or smaller and $6 each for tires from 16 through 20 inches.
How many bulky or brush drop-off trips are available?
Qualifying Waco residential customers currently receive four bulky and brush drop-off visits, with a maximum of 8 cubic yards per visit.
Does Cobbs accept household hazardous waste?
No. Household hazardous waste is currently listed as unacceptable. Old gasoline, propane cylinders and radioactive material are also excluded.
Does Cobbs accept computers and phones?
The current City webpage specifically lists computers and cell phones. Because other electronics have changed between older and current City information, verify TVs, monitors, printers, cables, chargers and unusual devices before visiting.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Cobbs website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. Verify current hours, fees, closures and material acceptance with the City of Waco before visiting.
Official sources checked for this Cobbs guide
Independent information guide: Recycling-Centre.org is not the City of Waco, Cobbs Recycling Center or a City solid-waste office. Hours, holiday closures, accepted materials, resident proof requirements, quantity limits, tire fees and other services can change. Verify unusual or time-sensitive loads with the City of Waco before driving.