Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center: Appointment, Fees & Items

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Austin · appointment only · HHW · electronics · reuse

Book First, Then Load the Car: Austin Drop-Off Rules That Matter

Austin’s Recycle and Reuse Center is not a walk-in dump or ordinary curbside recycling site. It is an appointment-based Austin Resource Recovery facility for household hazardous waste, electronics, appliances, hard-to-recycle materials and reusable items.

Use this guide to book the right appointment, check the $6 tire fee, prepare chemicals safely, avoid bringing mattresses or trash, pick up free ReUse Store items, Austin ReBlend paint or mulch, and use the correct Hornsby Bend route for brush and yard trimmings.

Check visit basics Accepted items Appointment steps
Access Appointment required
Address 2514 Business Center Dr.
Residents Austin/Travis County free*
Tires $6 per tire

Quick Answer: What to Know Before You Drive

The Austin Recycle and Reuse Center is located at 2514 Business Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744. The City requires an appointment to visit the center for both dropping off material and picking up reusable items.

Use of the facility is free for Austin and Travis County residents, although specific fees apply, including a current $6 fee per tire. Fees also apply to people who live outside Austin or Travis County.

The current City page does not publish one simple walk-in schedule that should replace your appointment time. Use the date and time shown in your confirmed appointment rather than relying on an old brochure or third-party hours listing.

*Free resident use does not mean every service is free. Tire fees still apply, and nonresident fees may apply.

Facility Recycle and Reuse Center
Address 2514 Business Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744
Help 512-974-4343
Access Appointment only
On this page

What the Austin Recycle and Reuse Center Is Actually For

This City of Austin facility is designed for items that need recycling, reuse or safer disposal outside the normal curbside cart system. It handles several different streams at one location, which is why the appointment form asks what you plan to bring.

Household hazardous waste

Paint, pesticides, automotive fluids, batteries, pool chemicals, propane cylinders and other accepted household hazardous products.

Electronics & appliances

Computers, televisions, printers, appliances, phones, solar panels and selected battery storage systems.

Hard-to-recycle materials

Styrofoam, plastic film, scrap metal, hard plastic and other items that do not belong in ordinary curbside recycling.

Reuse Store

Usable art supplies, automotive fluids, cleaners and household chemicals may be available for free pickup.

Austin ReBlend

Reprocessed low-VOC flat paint made from post-consumer paint collected through the program.

Mulch pickup

Free mulch is available, but visitors must bring their own containers, tools and labor for loading.

Not a landfill: ordinary non-recyclable trash, mattresses, furniture and several bulky items are not accepted simply because the facility has “drop-off center” in its name.

How to Schedule an Austin Recycle and Reuse Appointment

Austin and Travis County residents can schedule through the Austin Recycles app or the City’s online scheduling system. Appointments are also required when you only want to pick up free reusable materials.

Check your exact item first. Use the City’s center page or “What Do I Do With…?” tool to make sure the material belongs at this facility.
Open the official appointment system. Choose the drop-off or pickup service you need and use the address connected to your residence where requested.
Select every item you plan to bring. Do not book for paint and then arrive with unlisted tires, electronics or other material without checking whether the appointment covers them.
Save the confirmation email. Your confirmation contains the appointment information you need for the trip.
Prepare the items correctly. Household chemicals need different preparation from electronics, tires, plastic film or Styrofoam.
Use your confirmed appointment time. Do not substitute an old posted schedule or a map listing for the appointment details issued by the City.

Schedule through the official City of Austin appointment page.

Need to change the appointment?

The City says appointments cannot be edited after scheduling. If the date no longer works, cancel the appointment and make a new one.

You generally need to cancel through the same method used to book: the Austin Recycles app, the online schedule page or the cancellation link in your confirmation email. Call Austin 3-1-1 if you have trouble canceling.

Eligibility, Resident Cost and Nonresident Fees

User Current City Rule Before Visiting
Austin resident Facility use is generally free, but specific fees such as tires still apply. Book an appointment and check your selected item.
Travis County resident The current City page includes Travis County residents in the free-use eligibility statement, subject to item-specific fees. Use the address associated with the appointment and follow current eligibility instructions.
Outside Austin/Travis County Fees apply. Check the appointment system for the current amount before making the trip.
Business Businesses cannot use the household hazardous-waste drop-off program. Use the City’s business hazardous-waste guidance or call 512-974-4335.
Do not guess the nonresident fee. The current center page says a fee applies but does not publish one simple universal nonresident amount in the main eligibility section. Use the booking system for the current charge applicable to your visit.

Household Hazardous Waste Accepted at the Center

The City currently lists a broad range of household hazardous waste. These materials need more careful preparation than ordinary recyclables because damaged or mixed containers can create chemical reactions, leaks or fumes.

Home & yard chemicals

  • Cleaning products
  • Pesticides
  • Herbicides
  • Pool chemicals
  • Mercury

Paint & fuels-related items

  • Paint
  • Paint thinners
  • Automotive fluids
  • Oil filters
  • Cooking oil

Batteries & cylinders

  • Car batteries
  • Household batteries
  • Fluorescent lamps
  • Aerosol cans
  • Propane cylinders

How the City Says to Prepare HHW

Keep products in their original containers when possible. Labels help staff identify the chemical and prevent incompatible material from being combined.
Do not mix products together. Combining household chemicals can create dangerous reactions.
Use containers of five gallons or less. The center’s current safety instructions specify five-gallon-or-smaller containers.
Keep small containers upright in sturdy boxes. This reduces tipping and leakage during transport.
Contain leaking containers. Place a leaking container inside another container and use cat litter to absorb spilled liquid as the City directs.
Do not transport HHW loose in a trash bag. Bags do not protect containers well and damaged chemicals can mix.
HHW not accepted: business-generated hazardous waste, explosive materials including ammunition, radioactive materials, syringes and medical waste are not accepted through the household hazardous-waste program.

Electronics, Appliances and Other Materials Accepted

Electronics and appliances

Category Examples Listed by the City Preparation Tip
Computers & phones Computers, cell phones and chargers. Remove personal information before recycling data-bearing electronics.
Printers Printers and fax machines. Check whether cartridges should be removed and erase stored settings on networked devices.
TV & media Televisions, CDs, DVDs and floppy disks. The City says to remove and discard CD/DVD jewel cases where applicable.
Kitchen appliances Microwaves and other kitchen appliances. Empty food, liquids and loose household contents before loading.
Large appliances Stoves, washers, dryers, water heaters and air conditioners. Book the exact item and secure it for safe vehicle transport.
Outdoor equipment Lawn mowers, weed eaters and exercise equipment. Check fuel, oil and battery preparation before transport.

Other recyclable materials

  • Cans and aluminum foil
  • Cardboard
  • Children’s pools
  • Clothing and housewares
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Hard plastic
  • Lawn chairs and selected outdoor items
  • Paper
  • Pet carriers
  • Clean, dry plastic bags
  • Clean, dry plastic film and wrap
  • Playground equipment
  • Scrap metal
  • Clean, dry Styrofoam, excluding packing peanuts
  • Trash cans
  • Solar panels
  • Battery storage systems
Use the item lookup before assuming. Broad categories such as “hard plastic,” “housewares,” “battery storage” or “appliances” can include items with different preparation requirements.

Items the Recycle and Reuse Center Does Not Accept

The current official center page specifically lists several common wrong-trip items.

Furniture

Do not book this center simply because you need to discard a couch, table or other general furniture item.

Mattresses

Mattresses are not accepted at this facility. Use a mattress-specific recycling or disposal route.

Regular trash

Non-recyclable household garbage does not belong at this specialized drop-off center.

Packing peanuts

Clean Styrofoam may be accepted, but Styrofoam packing peanuts are specifically excluded.

Toilets

Porcelain toilets are not accepted through the current center program.

Brush & yard waste

These materials go to Hornsby Bend rather than the Business Center Drive facility.

For unusual material, use the official What Do I Do With…? search tool before booking.

Tire Drop-Off Costs $6 Per Tire

The City’s current Recycle and Reuse Center page lists a $6 fee for each tire. Tire service is therefore an exception to the general statement that use is free for Austin and Travis County residents.

Count before booking: if you have four accepted tires, the published tire charge is $24 total. Check the appointment system for any quantity, size or condition restrictions that apply to the tires you plan to bring.

Reuse Store: Pick Up Usable Items for Free

Some products dropped at the center are still usable. Rather than immediately disposing of them, Austin Resource Recovery can place suitable material in the on-site ReUse Store.

The current City page says ReUse Store items are free for everyone, but availability changes constantly.

Examples that may be available

  • Art supplies
  • Automotive fluids
  • Cleaning products
  • Household chemicals
Appointment still required: free does not mean walk-in. Book a pickup appointment before driving to the ReUse Store.

Austin ReBlend Paint Is Free but Availability Varies

Austin ReBlend is a 100 percent post-consumer, reblended flat paint with low VOCs made from paint collected through the center.

The City’s current page says Austin ReBlend is free for individuals, nonprofits and businesses, but an appointment is required. Color and inventory vary, so do not plan a project around a specific shade until availability is confirmed.

Useful trip planning: schedule ReBlend pickup as its own task and bring a vehicle that can carry the paint upright and securely.

Free Mulch Pickup: Bring Your Own Tools and Containers

Mulch is available for free pickup from the center. The City says visitors must load the mulch themselves.

Bring

  • Containers for the mulch
  • A pitchfork or shovel
  • Work gloves

The center no longer offers free glass cullet, so do not arrive expecting the older glass-product giveaway.

Brush and Yard Trimmings Go to Hornsby Bend Instead

Brush and yard trimmings are not accepted at the Recycle and Reuse Center. Austin directs these materials to Austin Water’s Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant at 2210 FM 973.

Hornsby Bend is currently open 8:00 AM–3:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and no appointment is required for yard-trimming and large-brush drop-off.

Important October 2026 change: beginning October 1, 2026, Austin says yard-trimming and brush drop-off at Hornsby Bend will cost $9.80 per cubic yard, with a maximum of six cubic yards per customer per day.

Check the current Hornsby Bend yard-trimming rules.

Austin Residents May Be Able to Schedule Household Pickup Instead

Austin Resource Recovery residential curbside customers have another option for some materials: on-demand collection. The City currently offers scheduled bulk, brush, household hazardous waste, and clothing/textile collection to eligible residential customers.

Eligible service addresses can schedule up to three collections for each on-demand service per calendar year.

On-demand HHW examples

  • Aerosol cans
  • Automotive fluids and oil filters
  • Selected batteries
  • Cleaning products
  • Cooking oil and grease
  • Fluorescent bulbs
  • Mercury
  • Paint and paint thinner
  • Pesticides and herbicides
  • Pool chemicals
  • Small qualifying propane cylinders
On-demand HHW limit: the current City guidance limits individual containers to five gallons or less and the total appointment to 30 gallons. This at-home service is for eligible residential curbside customers, not commercial material.

Check Austin’s current on-demand collection program.

Businesses Cannot Use the Household Hazardous-Waste Drop-Off

The City specifically states that businesses are not eligible to drop off hazardous waste through this household program.

If your paint, solvents, chemicals, automotive fluids, pesticides or other hazardous waste came from a business operation rather than a residence, call 512-974-4335 for Austin’s business hazardous-waste guidance.

Do not describe commercial waste as household waste. Waste source matters for hazardous-material management and the City publishes a separate route for businesses.

Holiday Closures: Do Not Assume Curbside Service and the Center Follow the Same Schedule

Austin’s 2026 holiday notices repeatedly show an important difference: regular curbside collection may continue while the Recycle and Reuse Center is closed.

City notices in 2026 documented center closures for holidays including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Holiday rule: check your appointment confirmation and the City’s current closure notice before driving. A normal curbside collection day does not prove the Recycle and Reuse Center is open.

Before-You-Go Checklist

Book the appointment first. Do not load chemicals, appliances, electronics or tires before you have a confirmed visit.
Search every unusual item. Use the City item lookup instead of assuming a similar material is accepted.
Separate household hazardous waste. Keep chemicals in original containers where possible and never combine products.
Keep containers small and upright. HHW containers should be five gallons or smaller and transported in sturdy boxes.
Count tires. Budget for the published $6-per-tire fee.
Keep brush out of the load. Yard trimmings and large brush belong at Hornsby Bend, not this center.
Do not mix trash with recyclables. The center is not a general household garbage transfer station.
Bring loading tools for mulch. If picking up mulch, bring containers, shovel or pitchfork, gloves and enough help to load it yourself.
Use the confirmation time. Old online hours are less important than your current City-issued appointment.

Common Problems and What to Do Next

Problem Why It Happens What to Do
You arrive without an appointment The center currently requires appointments. Use the Austin Recycles app or official scheduling page and return at your confirmed time.
Mattress is rejected Mattresses are on the center’s not-accepted list. Use a mattress-specific recycling or disposal route.
Brush is rejected Yard trimmings and large brush belong at Hornsby Bend. Take the material to the correct Hornsby Bend program and check the October 2026 fee change.
Styrofoam is rejected It may be dirty, wet or packing peanuts. Only bring the accepted clean, dry Styrofoam types confirmed by the City.
Chemical container is too large HHW preparation guidance specifies five-gallon-or-smaller containers. Contact Austin Resource Recovery before attempting to repackage hazardous material.
Business chemical waste is refused The resident HHW program excludes business-generated hazardous waste. Call the City business hazardous-waste program at 512-974-4335.
Appointment date no longer works The City does not allow an existing appointment to be edited. Cancel through the same booking method and schedule a new appointment.
Reuse item is unavailable ReUse Store, ReBlend paint and other free inventory changes. Do not assume a specific product or color will be available until the appointment system confirms the current option.

Austin Recycle and Reuse Center Map and Directions

The facility is at 2514 Business Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744. Use the map for navigation only after your appointment is confirmed.

Open full directions in Google Maps.

Official Austin Sources to Check Before Your Appointment

City of Austin — Recycle and Reuse Center

Primary source for appointment requirement, eligibility, tire fee, HHW, electronics, recyclables, ReUse Store, ReBlend paint, mulch and items not accepted.

Open the official center page
City of Austin — Schedule an Appointment

Use this to book a drop-off or pickup visit and confirm the address associated with your appointment.

Open the official appointment page
Austin Resource Recovery — On-Demand Collection

Use this when you are eligible for household hazardous waste, bulk, brush or clothing/textile collection at home.

Open on-demand collection guidance
Austin Resource Recovery — Hornsby Bend Yard Trimmings

Use this for brush and yard trimmings, including the October 1, 2026 fee and six-cubic-yard daily limit.

Open Hornsby Bend drop-off guidance
City of Austin — What Do I Do With…?

Use the item lookup for materials not clearly covered by the center’s main accepted-items list.

Search an item

Frequently Asked Questions About Austin Recycle and Reuse Center

Where is the Austin Recycle and Reuse Center?

The City lists the center at 2514 Business Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. The City currently requires an appointment to visit the center for both dropping off material and picking up free reusable items.

How do I make an appointment?

Austin and Travis County residents can schedule through the Austin Recycles app or the City’s online appointment system.

Can I change my appointment?

The City says an appointment cannot be changed after it has been scheduled. Cancel the existing appointment and book a new one.

Is the Austin Recycle and Reuse Center free?

Facility use is generally free for Austin and Travis County residents, but item-specific charges apply. Tires currently cost $6 each, and fees apply to people who live outside Austin or Travis County.

How much does tire recycling cost?

The current City page lists a $6 fee per tire.

Does the center accept paint?

Yes. Paint and paint thinners are listed among accepted household hazardous waste. Keep products in their original containers when possible and do not mix chemicals.

Does the center accept electronics?

Yes. Current examples include computers, cell phones, chargers, televisions, printers, fax machines, electronic media and other electronics and appliances.

Does the center accept Styrofoam?

Clean, dry Styrofoam is listed among accepted recyclables, but Styrofoam packing peanuts are specifically not accepted.

Can I recycle plastic bags and plastic film?

Yes. The City lists clean, dry plastic bags, plastic film and plastic wrap as accepted materials.

Does the center accept mattresses?

No. Mattresses are on the current not-accepted list and require another recycling or disposal route.

Does the center accept furniture?

No. Furniture is included on the City’s current list of items not accepted at the center.

Can I bring brush and yard trimmings?

No. Austin directs brush and yard trimmings to the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant instead. Beginning October 1, 2026, a $9.80-per-cubic-yard fee and six-cubic-yard daily limit are scheduled to apply there.

What is the ReUse Store?

Usable items dropped at the facility can be offered to other visitors at no charge. Examples may include art supplies, automotive fluids, cleaning products and household chemicals. Availability varies and an appointment is required.

Is Austin ReBlend paint free?

Yes. The current City page says Austin ReBlend paint is free for individuals, nonprofits and businesses, but an appointment is required and colors and availability vary.

Can I pick up mulch for free?

Yes. Free mulch is available, but visitors must load it themselves and should bring containers, a pitchfork or shovel and work gloves.

Can businesses bring hazardous waste?

No. Businesses are not eligible to use the household hazardous-waste drop-off program. The City directs businesses to separate hazardous-waste guidance and lists 512-974-4335 for assistance.

Is Recycling-Centre.org the official City of Austin website?

No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. Appointment availability, accepted items, fees, closures and free-product inventory should always be confirmed through Austin Resource Recovery.

Independent information guide: Recycling-Centre.org is not the City of Austin, Austin Resource Recovery or the Austin Recycles app. Appointment availability, accepted items, tire and nonresident fees, holiday closures, ReUse Store inventory, Austin ReBlend colors, mulch availability and Hornsby Bend rules can change. Verify your exact appointment and material through the official City of Austin system before driving.

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