Houston Paint Drop-Off: Choose the Right City or County Route
Houston-area paint disposal depends on where you live and what is in the can. City of Houston residents can use Environmental Service Centers for both latex and oil-based paint, while some regular city recycling centers also accept latex paint through the B.O.P.A. program.
Harris County residents who live outside incorporated Houston use a different household hazardous waste facility with appointments and different quantity rules.
Quick Answer: Where Should Houston Residents Take Old Paint?
City of Houston resident with latex or oil-based paint: use a City Environmental Service Center. ESC South at 11500 S. Post Oak Rd., Houston, TX 77035 currently lists Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM. ESC North at 5614 Neches St., Houston, TX 77026 is currently listed for the second Thursday of each month, 9 AM to 3 PM.
City of Houston resident with latex paint only: Houston’s regular recycling centers also list latex paint under B.O.P.A. collection. Oil-based paint is specifically excluded from those regular recycling centers, so take oil-based paint to an Environmental Service Center instead.
Harris County resident outside incorporated Houston: use the Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 6900 Hahl Road, Houston, TX 77040. An appointment is required.
First Decision: Do You Live Inside the City of Houston?
Houston mailing addresses do not always tell you which waste program serves your home. The most important distinction is whether you receive City of Houston services or live elsewhere in Harris County.
City of Houston resident
Use City Environmental Service Centers for latex paint, oil-based paint, stains, thinners and other household hazardous waste accepted by the City.
City resident, latex only
Regular City recycling centers also list latex paint under the B.O.P.A. program, making them another option for qualifying latex paint.
Harris County outside Houston
Use the Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 6900 Hahl Road. The County requires an appointment.
Business or contractor
Do not assume household programs accept commercial paint waste. Use an approved commercial hazardous-waste or paint-management service when required.
City of Houston Environmental Service Centers for Paint
The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department lists two Environmental Service Centers for household hazardous waste. These are the strongest City route when you have oil-based paint, latex paint, stain, varnish, thinner or other household chemicals.
| Facility | Address | Current posted hours | Paint use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESC South | 11500 S. Post Oak Rd., Houston, TX 77035 | Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday · 8 AM–5 PM | Best regular City route for latex paint, oil-based paint, stain, thinner and other accepted HHW. |
| ESC North | 5614 Neches St., Houston, TX 77026 | Second Thursday of each month · 9 AM–3 PM | Useful north-side HHW route, but the limited monthly schedule makes date verification important. |
Current City Paint Quantity Limits
Latex & oil-based paint
The current City ESC page lists a 25-gallon maximum for paints, including latex and oil-based paint.
Stains & thinners
Paint stains and paint thinners are also listed with a 25-gallon maximum.
Other household chemicals
Separate limits apply to chemicals, automotive fluids, fuels, electronics, batteries and other materials. Do not use the paint limit for unrelated products.
Latex Paint Recycling in Houston
City of Houston residents have more flexibility with latex paint than with oil-based paint. In addition to the Environmental Service Centers, the City’s regular recycling-center page lists latex paint under B.O.P.A.—Batteries, Oil, Latex Paint and Antifreeze.
| City recycling center | Address | Current posted hours | Paint rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westpark Center | 5900 Westpark, Houston, TX 77057 | Tuesday–Saturday · 8 AM–5 PM | Latex paint listed under B.O.P.A.; oil-based paint is not accepted here. |
| Clear Lake / Ellington Airport | 246 Loop Rd., Houston, TX 77034 | 7 days a week · 8 AM–8 PM | Latex paint route under City recycling-center B.O.P.A. rules. |
| Kingwood | 3210 W. Lake Houston Pkwy, Houston, TX 77339 | Saturday & Sunday · 8 AM–6 PM | Weekend latex-paint option under the City’s recycling-center rules. |
Oil-Based Paint, Varnish and Paint Thinner in Houston
Oil-based paint does not belong in Houston’s regular recycling-center latex-paint route. The City explicitly lists oil-based paint among materials not accepted at its regular recycling centers.
For City residents, use the Environmental Service Centers, which specifically list both latex and oil-based paint along with varnishes, solvents, stains and thinners under their hazardous-waste services.
Oil-based house paint
Take it to ESC South or ESC North under the current City household hazardous waste program.
Paint thinner
Use the ESC route rather than a standard recycling center. Keep the product identified and securely closed.
Varnish & stain
These are also listed through the City’s Environmental Service Center program. Do not combine them into a paint can.
Harris County Paint Drop-Off for Residents Outside Houston City Limits
Harris County operates its own Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 6900 Hahl Road, Houston, TX 77040. It serves Harris County residents who live outside incorporated City of Houston jurisdiction.
| County rule | Current information | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment | Appointment required. | Do not simply drive to Hahl Road without scheduling. |
| Tuesday & Wednesday | 9 AM–3 PM | Regular weekday appointment windows. |
| 2nd & 4th Saturday | 9 AM–2 PM | Limited weekend appointments. |
| Who may use it | Harris County residents outside incorporated City of Houston jurisdiction. | City of Houston residents should use City programs instead. |
| Source of waste | Items must have been used in a resident’s home for personal use. | Business, school, church, nonprofit and other non-household waste is excluded. |
| Closures | Closed during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s; weather closures can occur. | Check the appointment page and closure information before holiday-week travel. |
Harris County Paint Limits
The County accepts latex paint, oil-based paint, varnishes, thinners and related paint products. Its current accepted-items page states that containers generally must be 5 gallons or smaller.
For 1-gallon and 5-gallon paint containers, Harris County sets a 30-gallon limit; the combined number of 1-gallon and 5-gallon containers cannot exceed that amount. Quarts and pints are not included in that 30-gallon count.
Which Paint and Painting Products Can Use These Houston-Area Routes?
| Material | City ESC | Regular City recycling center | Harris County HHW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid latex paint | Yes | Yes · B.O.P.A. | Yes |
| Oil-based paint | Yes | No | Yes |
| Varnish | Yes | Use ESC instead | Yes |
| Paint thinner | Yes | No | Yes |
| Paint stain | Yes | Use ESC instead | Yes |
| Empty paint can | Check current City container guidance. | Do not assume liquid-paint rules apply. | Not accepted at County HHW. |
| Dried latex paint | Check current City guidance. | Verify before travel. | Not accepted at County HHW. |
| Unknown paint-like chemical | Call before transport. | Do not place in latex collection. | Call before transport. |
Does Houston Have PaintCare?
Texas is not currently one of PaintCare’s twelve program states or the District of Columbia. That means Houston residents should not expect the statewide PaintCare retail drop-off network available in participating states.
PaintCare’s locator can still show facilities in non-PaintCare states, but those listings are discovery tools rather than PaintCare-sponsored Texas collection sites. In Houston, use the City of Houston or Harris County official programs as the primary authority.
How to Prepare Old Paint Before Houston Drop-Off
Identify where you live
Decide whether you are a City of Houston resident or a Harris County resident outside incorporated Houston. This changes the facility and appointment rules.
Separate latex from oil-based paint
Latex paint has additional City recycling-center options. Oil-based paint should use the Environmental Service Center or appropriate County HHW route.
Keep paint identifiable
Leave paint in its original labeled container when possible. Do not combine different paint, thinner, solvents or unknown chemicals.
Secure every lid
Make sure cans are closed tightly. Place containers upright in a box, tote or other secondary containment for transport.
Count gallons before leaving
City ESC paint is currently limited to 25 gallons. Harris County uses different container and 30-gallon rules for 1- and 5-gallon paint containers.
Keep paint separate from unrelated chemicals
Do not toss thinner, gasoline, pesticides, batteries or cleaners into a paint box without checking their separate quantity and preparation rules.
Check today’s schedule
ESC North is not a daily site, Harris County requires an appointment, and holiday or weather closures can affect hazardous-waste facilities.
Houston Paint Recycling Fees, ID and Residency Rules
The current City ESC page describes the service for Houston residents and publishes material limits, but it does not provide a separate paint fee table. Do not invent a fee or assume a private nonresident option exists.
City residents
Use Houston Solid Waste facilities according to current resident and material rules. Bring identification and any residency documentation the City currently requires for your service type.
County residents
The Hahl Road HHW facility is restricted to eligible Harris County residents outside incorporated Houston and requires an appointment.
Businesses
Household programs are not a substitute for commercial hazardous-waste disposal. Contractors and businesses should verify commercial requirements separately.
Paint Recycling Center Houston Open Today: Check the Exact Service
Houston has several paint routes, so a broad map result marked “open” can still be the wrong facility. Match the day to the exact program.
| Need | Best current route | Schedule pattern | Risk of a wasted trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| City · any accepted household paint | ESC South | Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat · 8 AM–5 PM | Holiday, weather or operational change. |
| City · north-side HHW | ESC North | 2nd Thursday · 9 AM–3 PM | Wrong Thursday of the month. |
| City · latex paint on Sunday | Kingwood or Clear Lake/Ellington | Both have published Sunday access; confirm current conditions. | Bringing oil-based paint to a latex-only recycling-center route. |
| County outside Houston | Hahl Road HHW | Tue/Wed + 2nd/4th Sat by appointment | Arriving without an appointment or being inside Houston jurisdiction. |
Houston Contractors, Landlords and Business Paint Waste
Household hazardous-waste programs are designed around residential household use. Harris County explicitly says its facility can accept only items used in a resident’s home for personal use and rejects items from businesses, churches, schools and nonprofits.
A painting contractor, commercial property manager, school, church or business should use an appropriate commercial hazardous-waste or paint-management route rather than trying to present commercial material as household waste.
Painting contractor
Check Texas hazardous-waste requirements and commercial paint-waste vendors for leftover job-site coatings and solvents.
Property management
Paint from ongoing rental maintenance can be treated differently from a resident’s personal household paint. Verify generator status before transport.
Institutional cleanout
Schools, churches and nonprofit organizations should not use Harris County’s resident HHW facility for organizational waste.
Why Houston Paint Loads Get Sent to a Different Facility
What to Verify Before Driving With Paint
Hi, I have approximately [number] gallons of [latex / oil-based paint / stain / thinner] from my home. I live at a City of Houston address. Which location should I use today, is my quantity within the current limit, and what identification or preparation should I bring?
Hi, I live in Harris County outside the City of Houston and have household paint to dispose of. I have [number] containers totaling about [gallons]. Are these accepted, and should I schedule through the online appointment system before coming to 6900 Hahl Road?
Houston Paint Recycling Map: ESC South
ESC South has the broadest regular City schedule for household paint and HHW, making it a useful map starting point for City of Houston residents with oil-based paint, latex paint, stains or thinners.
Official Sources Used for Houston Paint Drop-Off Rules
Current ESC South and North addresses, hours, accepted paint, stain/thinner categories and quantity limits.
Open City ESC pageCurrent Westpark, Clear Lake and Kingwood hours plus B.O.P.A. latex-paint acceptance and oil-based-paint exclusion.
Open City recycling-center pageCurrent Hahl Road address, appointment requirement, operating days, service-area eligibility and contact numbers.
Open Harris County HHW pageCurrent paint categories, 30-gallon rule, container-size requirement, empty-can exclusion and dried-latex exclusion.
Open County accepted-item listGeneral HHW safety: original containers, labels, no mixing and local collection-program guidance.
Open EPA HHW guidanceCurrent PaintCare program-state list showing Texas is not a PaintCare program jurisdiction.
Check PaintCare statesFrequently Asked Questions About Paint Recycling in Houston
Where can I recycle paint in Houston?
City of Houston residents can take accepted latex and oil-based paint to Environmental Service Center South at 11500 S. Post Oak Rd. or Environmental Service Center North at 5614 Neches St. Houston’s regular recycling centers also list latex paint under B.O.P.A.
What are the Houston Environmental Service Center South hours?
The current City page lists Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
What are the Houston Environmental Service Center North hours?
The current City page lists the second Thursday of each month from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
How much paint can I take to a City of Houston Environmental Service Center?
The current City page lists a 25-gallon maximum for latex and oil-based paint. Paint stains and thinners are also listed with a 25-gallon maximum.
Does Westpark accept paint?
Houston’s regular recycling-center rules list latex paint under B.O.P.A. Oil-based paint is specifically excluded, so use an Environmental Service Center for oil-based paint.
Where can I take latex paint in Houston on Sunday?
Houston currently lists Clear Lake/Ellington Airport open seven days a week and Kingwood open Saturday and Sunday. Both fall under the City’s regular recycling-center system that lists latex paint under B.O.P.A. Verify current conditions before driving.
Where do I take oil-based paint in Houston?
City of Houston residents should use an Environmental Service Center rather than a regular recycling center. Eligible Harris County residents outside Houston can use the County HHW facility by appointment.
Does Harris County accept paint?
Yes. The County HHW facility lists latex paint, oil-based paint, varnishes, thinners and other paint-related products. It uses separate quantity and container rules and requires an appointment.
What is the Harris County paint drop-off address?
The Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Facility is at 6900 Hahl Road, Houston, TX 77040.
Do I need an appointment for Harris County paint disposal?
Yes. Harris County states that the Hahl Road Household Hazardous Waste Facility is open by appointment only.
Can City of Houston residents use the Harris County HHW facility?
The County states that its facility serves Harris County residents who live outside incorporated City of Houston jurisdiction and do not receive City of Houston services. City residents should use City programs.
Does Harris County accept dried latex paint?
No. The County’s current accepted-item page says dried latex paint is not accepted at the HHW facility.
Does Harris County accept empty paint cans?
No. Harris County says empty paint containers are not accepted at the HHW facility. Follow the current local empty-container disposal or recycling rule instead.
Can I pour leftover paint into a storm drain?
No. Paint and related household hazardous waste should not be poured into storm drains, onto the ground or into local waterways. Use the appropriate City, County or approved disposal program.
Does Houston have PaintCare?
Texas is not currently a PaintCare program state. Houston residents should use City of Houston, Harris County or another verified local program rather than assuming PaintCare retail drop-off applies.
Can businesses use Houston household paint drop-off programs?
Do not assume household programs accept business or contractor waste. Harris County specifically limits its HHW facility to materials used by residents at home for personal use. Businesses should verify commercial hazardous-waste requirements.
Is Recycling-Centre.org an official Houston paint recycling website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. The City of Houston and Harris County official websites are the final sources for current paint acceptance, hours, residency rules, appointments and quantity limits.
Before You Drive: Houston Paint Drop-Off Checklist
Prepare the paint
- Identify latex, oil-based, stain, varnish or thinner.
- Keep products in original labeled containers when possible.
- Secure lids tightly.
- Do not mix paint or chemicals together.
- Keep containers upright during transport.
- Count total gallons before leaving.
Prepare the trip
- Confirm City of Houston vs. Harris County jurisdiction.
- Use ESC for oil-based paint.
- Use City recycling centers only for accepted latex-paint routing.
- Book a Harris County appointment when required.
- Check holiday and weather closures.
- Verify current hours on the official page before driving.