Plan Your McAllen Recycling Center Drop-Off
Use this local guide to check the verified address, regular hours, accepted recyclables, free e-waste and shredding, resident-only tire and motor-oil rules, bulky-waste requirements, compost and mulch prices, and current facility-update notes before driving to North Bentsen Road.
Quick facility details
Quick answer before you load the vehicle
The City of McAllen Recycling Center is at 4101 N. Bentsen Rd., McAllen, TX 78504. The City’s dedicated recycling contact page lists regular hours as Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., and Sunday closed.
The center accepts cardboard, paper, plastics coded #1 and #2, aluminum cans, tin cans and glass. Special services include e-waste, paper shredding, vehicle/lawn-tractor batteries, tires, used motor oil, bulky waste and compost-related programs, but residency and quantity rules differ by service.
Official pages currently show inconsistent hours
The dedicated McAllen Recycling Center contact page and City department listing support the 8:00 a.m. weekday opening shown above. Some repeated footer content elsewhere on McAllenRecycles.com still displays different hours. If your trip depends on a specific opening or closing time, call (956) 681-4050 before leaving.
On this page
McAllen City Recycling Center Quick Facts
North Bentsen Road
4101 N. Bentsen Rd., McAllen, TX 78504. This is the address listed by the City of McAllen for the Recycling Center.
Six main categories
Cardboard, paper, plastics #1 and #2, aluminum cans, tin cans and glass are listed as standard recyclable materials.
More than curbside recycling
The center also handles e-waste, shredding and several resident-specific disposal services that should be kept separate from ordinary recyclables.
| Question | Current verified information | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 4101 N. Bentsen Rd., McAllen, TX 78504 | Use the map below for directions. |
| Phone | (956) 681-4050 | Call when an item or service is not clearly listed. |
| Regular hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sat 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Sun closed on the dedicated contact page | Reconfirm near holidays or when making a time-sensitive trip. |
| Basic recyclables | Cardboard, paper, #1/#2 plastics, aluminum, tin and glass | Keep materials empty, clean, dry and loose. |
| Residency | Some services are open to everyone; others are for McAllen residents | Bring proof of residency for resident-specific services. |
McAllen Recycling Center Hours, Saturday Schedule and Holidays
The dedicated official contact page lists the Recycling Center as open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. It lists Sunday as closed.
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Allow enough time to sort, unload and handle any residency check before closing.
Saturday
8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Saturday window is shorter, so verify first if you are bringing a special load.
Sunday
Closed according to the dedicated contact page.
Do not rely on a map listing alone for Sunday access.
Holiday closures should be checked year by year
The City has historically issued separate holiday notices for the Recycling Center. For example, a City notice covering the 2024 Christmas/New Year period listed closures on December 24, December 25 and January 1. That older notice is useful evidence that facility hours can differ from normal curbside collection, but it should not be treated as a confirmed 2026 holiday calendar.
Before a holiday visit
Check the latest City of McAllen news or McAllen Recycles page, then call the center if the trip is important. Curbside trash/recycling schedules and public drop-off facility hours can follow different holiday rules.
What You Can Recycle at the McAllen Center
McAllen’s official recycling guidance focuses on a relatively simple group of everyday materials. The City asks users to keep items empty, clean and dry, and recyclable material should not be placed inside plastic bags.
| Material | Examples listed or supported by City guidance | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard | Cereal boxes, shoe boxes, shipping boxes, television boxes and other cardboard | Empty and flatten when practical; remove loose packing material. |
| Paper | Newspapers, catalogs, magazines, office paper and books | Keep clean and dry. |
| Plastic #1 and #2 | Beverage bottles, milk jugs, water jugs and detergent/cleaning bottles | Check the recycling code; do not assume other plastics are accepted. |
| Aluminum | Aluminum beverage and soda cans | Empty liquids and rinse when needed. |
| Tin cans | Food cans, tin cans and listed aerosol cans | Remove remaining contents. |
| Glass | Glass bottles and jars | Do not mix in mirrors, ceramics or light bulbs. |
McAllen’s simplest recycling rule
If a material is not shown as accepted, do not guess. Keeping non-recyclables out of the stream reduces contamination and makes sorting safer and more efficient.
E-Waste, Computers, Phones, Batteries and Paper Shredding
Several useful items are accepted at the Recycling Center rather than in the residential recycling bin. That distinction matters because electronics and batteries need different handling from ordinary cardboard, cans or bottles.
E-waste recycling
The official site lists electronic waste such as televisions, computers and printers as a service available to everyone at no charge. E-waste must be brought to the facility and should not be placed in a residential recycling cart.
Paper shredding
Paper shredding is listed as free and open to anyone. The City says drop-off customers may bring paper boxes for shredding; if you want to witness the shredding, the stated limit is 10 boxes. Remove metal bindings.
Computers and phones
Computers, scanners, printers, monitors and cell phones are included in Recycling Center guidance. Before recycling a device, erase personal information and remove accounts, SIM cards or removable storage where applicable.
Vehicle batteries
The official guidance specifically lists vehicle and lawnmower tractor batteries. It does not give a blanket acceptance statement for loose lithium, household alkaline or power-tool batteries.
Do not guess with lithium or rechargeable batteries
Because the published McAllen guidance specifically identifies vehicle and lawn-tractor batteries, call before bringing other battery chemistries. Never place loose lithium batteries into ordinary curbside recycling.
Services Limited to McAllen Residents
Some Recycling Center services are tied to McAllen residency. This is separate from broadly available services such as e-waste and paper shredding.
| Resident service | Published rule | What to bring or remember |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger-car tires | Up to 5 passenger-car tires per month for McAllen residents | Bring proof of McAllen residency and confirm unusual tire types first. |
| Used motor oil | Up to 5 gallons per month for McAllen residents | Cooking oil is not included. Keep used motor oil separate from other liquids. |
| Lawn and leaf bags | 20 compostable bags at no charge when picked up at the Recycling Center | Availability can change; call when making a special trip. |
| Brush/bulky waste | Available to McAllen residents with proof of residency | Sort banned materials out before arrival. |
McAllen’s separate BAG IT! guidance also says a smaller quantity of compostable lawn-and-leaf bags may be available through several City facilities. Because distribution locations and stock can change, the Recycling Center remains the safer place to verify current pickup rules.
Bulky Waste, Appliances, Tires and Brush Drop-Off
The City’s Recycling Center page lists several bulky items for McAllen residents, including furniture, sofas, mattresses, carpet, bulky toys, wood, tires and appliances.
Common bulky items listed
- Furniture and sofas
- Mattresses
- Carpet
- Bulky plastic toys
- Wood
- Passenger-car tires under the resident program
- Appliances such as stoves and ovens
Refrigerator requirement
The City states that refrigerators must be tagged by a technician confirming that the refrigerant has been removed. Do not arrive with an untreated refrigerator and assume it will be accepted.
Bulky drop-off does not mean unrestricted dumping
City guidance specifically excludes construction debris, clothing and hazardous waste from the resident bulky-waste drop-off program. Large mixed loads should be sorted before driving to the facility.
Compost, Mulch and Current Published Prices
McAllen Recycles currently lists bagged and loose compost/mulch products for purchase. Some loose products are specifically marked as available only at the City’s separate Composting Facility, so check the pickup location before bringing a trailer or planning a bulk purchase.
| Product | Published price | Location note |
|---|---|---|
| Premium compost, 40 lb bag | $2.10 with tax | Verify current inventory before making a special trip. |
| Tree stump mulch, 24 lb bag | $2.65 with tax | Bagged product listed by McAllen Recycles. |
| Blend soil/compost bag | $2.75 with tax | Verify availability. |
| Premium compost, cubic yard | $23.50 with tax | Confirm loading arrangements before arriving. |
| 50/50 blend, cubic yard | $30 with tax | Official page says this is available only at the Composting Facility. |
| Regular mulch, cubic yard | $14 with tax | Verify current stock. |
| Tree stump mulch, cubic yard | $17 with tax | Official page says this is available only at the Composting Facility. |
Separate McAllen Composting Facility
The official compost page separately lists the Composting Facility at 15201 N. 29th St., McAllen, TX 78504, phone (956) 681-4580, with weekday hours of 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and weekend closure. If you need cubic-yard material, call first to confirm which site currently has the product.
How McAllen Residents Sign Up for Curbside Recycling
The City’s recycling site publishes a three-step process for residents who need curbside recycling service and a blue bin.
- Start with Customer Relations at City Hall. Sign up for waste service or transfer service to the new home.
- Visit the McAllen Recycling Center. Sign the recycling pledge and receive recycling information.
- Allow time for bin placement. The City states that placement of the recycling bin may take approximately 24–48 hours.
For questions about the current signup process, bin delivery or account eligibility, call the Recycling Center at (956) 681-4050.
What Not to Put in McAllen Recycling
The City’s recycling guidance lists several materials that should stay out of the recycling stream even when parts of the item appear recyclable.
Common contaminants
- Plastic shopping bags
- Grocery and shipping bags
- Plastic hangers
- Many plastic toys
- Styrofoam cups
- Disposable cutlery
Not ordinary glass recycling
- Mirrors
- Window glass
- Light bulbs
- Pottery
- Ceramics
- Personal-hygiene paper
Needs another route
- Hazardous waste
- Paint containers
- Pesticide containers
- Medical sharps
- Construction debris under bulky-drop-off rules
- Mixed household trash
If you have chemicals, paint, pesticides, sharps or another potentially hazardous item, do not load it with ordinary recycling. Use the appropriate local hazardous-waste or specialty disposal program instead.
For general preparation help, see our household hazardous waste recycling guide and used oil recycling guide.
McAllen Recycling Center Upgrade and Tour Status
The City of McAllen’s adopted FY 2025–26 budget identifies a Recycling Center upgrade at 4101 N. Bentsen Road. The project is described as approximately $6.95 million in facility improvements and automated recycling equipment intended to improve recovery efficiency.
The Recycling Center’s official tour page also says the online tour-request form is temporarily paused while the recycling facilities are being upgraded. The City currently says tours are expected to resume in 2027, while presentations may remain available in the meantime.
What this means for visitors
The upgrade does not automatically mean normal recycling drop-off is closed. Continue using the current official hours and contact information, but check the official site before organizing a tour, school visit or group activity.
Before You Drive: McAllen Drop-Off Checklist
- Confirm the service. Ordinary recycling, e-waste, shredding, tires, motor oil and bulky waste have different rules.
- Check the current hours. Use the dedicated official contact page and call if the website appears inconsistent.
- Keep recyclables empty, clean and dry. Do not bag ordinary recyclable material.
- Separate electronics. Computers, monitors, printers, televisions and phones should not be mixed into curbside recycling.
- Protect personal data. Wipe devices before e-waste drop-off when possible.
- Bring proof of residency when needed. This matters for bulky waste, tires, motor oil and other resident programs.
- Keep hazardous material out. Chemicals, paint, sharps and similar waste need an appropriate specialty program.
- Call before bringing an unusual load. Large quantities, uncommon batteries, unusual tires, refrigerant-containing appliances or bulk compost purchases deserve confirmation.
Related Recycling Guides
Recycling Center Near Me
Use the general locator guide when McAllen’s facility is not the right program for your material or location.
Cardboard Recycling Center Near Me
Preparation help for moving boxes, shipping boxes, dry cardboard and oversized cardboard loads.
Tire Recycling Center Near Me
Useful when a tire does not qualify under McAllen’s resident passenger-car tire program.
Household Hazardous Waste Recycling
Use this route for chemicals, paint and other materials that should not enter normal recycling.
McAllen City Recycling Center Map and Directions
The verified City address is 4101 N. Bentsen Rd., McAllen, TX 78504. Use the map for navigation, but rely on the City and McAllen Recycles pages for service rules and operating information.
4101 N. Bentsen Rd., McAllen, TX 78504
Open directions in Google Maps
Official McAllen Sources to Check Before Visiting
Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information site. For a same-day decision, use the responsible City source rather than relying only on a directory or map listing.
Visit McAllen Recycles
Open accepted-item guidance
Check current contact information
Open City page
Open compost information
Check tour status
Frequently Asked Questions About McAllen City Recycling Center
Where is the McAllen City Recycling Center?
The City of McAllen Recycling Center is located at 4101 N. Bentsen Rd., McAllen, TX 78504. The published phone number is (956) 681-4050.
What are the McAllen Recycling Center hours?
The dedicated official contact page lists Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and Sunday closed. Because some repeated content on the official website displays conflicting hours, call before a time-sensitive visit.
What items can I recycle in McAllen?
The City’s standard recycling list includes cardboard, paper, plastics coded #1 and #2, aluminum cans, tin cans and glass bottles/jars. Items should be empty, clean and dry, and ordinary recyclables should not be bagged in plastic.
Does McAllen Recycling Center accept electronics?
Yes. The official site lists televisions, computers, printers and related e-waste as a no-charge service available to everyone. Electronics must be dropped at the facility rather than placed in residential recycling bins.
Is paper shredding free at McAllen Recycling Center?
Yes. McAllen lists paper shredding as free and open to anyone. Metal bindings should be removed. If you want to witness the shredding, the published limit is 10 boxes.
Can McAllen residents drop off tires?
McAllen residents may dispose of up to five passenger-car tires per month under the published program. Bring proof of residency and call before bringing commercial quantities or unusual tire types.
Does the Recycling Center take used motor oil?
McAllen residents may dispose of up to five gallons of used motor oil per month. The City’s guidance specifically says cooking oil is not accepted under this program.
Can I bring furniture or appliances?
McAllen’s resident bulky-waste program lists items including furniture, mattresses, carpet, wood, bulky toys and appliances. Refrigerators must have a technician tag confirming refrigerant removal. Proof of McAllen residency is required for the resident bulky-waste service.
Does McAllen Recycling Center accept hazardous waste?
Hazardous waste is listed as not allowed under the Recycling Center’s bulky-waste guidance. Chemicals, paint-related waste, sharps and similar materials should be routed through an appropriate hazardous or specialty disposal program rather than ordinary recycling.
Are McAllen Recycling Center tours available in 2026?
The official tour page says tours are temporarily paused while recycling facilities are being upgraded and are expected to resume in 2027. Check the official page for changes or presentation alternatives.