Check Houston Depository Rules Before You Load Junk, Tires or Recycling
The Southwest Neighborhood Depository is more than a basic recycling drop-off. Eligible City of Houston residents can use it for approved junk waste, tree waste, recyclables, mattresses, limited tires and certain household building materials—but residency, vehicle, visit and material restrictions matter.
Fast Answer: Southwest Houston Depository Address, Hours and Eligibility
Southwest Neighborhood Depository/Recycling Center is at 10785 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074. The current City facility page lists hours as Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with Monday closed.
The facility accepts approved junk waste, tree waste and recyclables at no additional charge for qualifying City of Houston residents. Residents should arrive at least 30 minutes before closing so there is enough time to unload.
Southwest Houston drop-off guide
- What the facility does
- Hours and visit planning
- Residency and ID
- Vehicle and trailer rules
- Accepted items
- Recyclables
- Tire limits
- Building materials
- Appliances and refrigerant
- Not accepted
- HHW and electronics alternatives
- Unloading rules
- Rejected-load troubleshooting
- Before-you-drive checklist
- Map
- FAQs
What the Southwest Neighborhood Depository Is
The Southwest facility is one of the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department’s residential drop-off locations. It is designed to give eligible City residents another route for materials that may be too large or unsuitable for normal curbside recycling or collection.
Furniture and Large Household Items
Approved furniture, mattresses, stoves, washers, dryers and other permitted household junk can be brought to the facility.
Sorted Recyclables
The center accepts cans, selected plastics, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, used motor oil and tree waste.
City Resident Service
Residency documentation is required. Commercial haulers, contractors and business loads are not part of this residential service.
Southwest Neighborhood Depository Hours
| Day | Current Facility Schedule | Planning Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Use another open day. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Bring residency documents before entering. |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Presort the load before arrival. |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Leave time for unloading and possible lines. |
| Friday | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Check holiday-week status first. |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Weekend demand may increase unloading time. |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Normal operating day unless a City closure applies. |
Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing
The City specifically encourages residents to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing so there is enough time to verify eligibility, wait for a ramp and unload safely.
Who Can Use the Facility? Residency and ID Rules
The neighborhood depositories are intended for City of Houston residents. The current Southwest facility page states that users must provide a Texas driver’s license or ID plus proof of the Houston residence.
Bring photo identification
The City’s detailed depository rules list acceptable state-issued photo identification such as a current Texas driver’s license, Texas DPS identification card or Texas License to Carry.
Also bring proof of your Houston address
Utility bill
A current electricity, water or gas bill can be used. The published rules allow bills from the current month or previous two months, including electronic bills.
The residential address on the utility bill should match the address on the state-issued identification.
Lease or property document
If no utility bill is available, the detailed City rules allow a current lease or rental agreement for a City of Houston address under the stated matching-address requirements.
Special documentation provisions also exist for certain out-of-state property owners and Houston university students.
Maximum four visits per month
The current facility page says residents may use neighborhood depositories up to four times per month.
Vehicle, Trailer and Commercial-Load Restrictions
Vehicle type matters. The City uses neighborhood depositories for residential self-haul loads rather than commercial hauling operations.
| Vehicle / Load | Published City Rule |
|---|---|
| Commercial hauler | Not accepted. |
| Commercial/business vehicle | Not accepted under the residential depository rules. |
| Rented commercial vehicle | Current Southwest facility page says trash brought in a rented commercial vehicle is not accepted. |
| Vehicle over 2 tons | Not accepted under the published depository rules. |
| Trailer | Interior compartment cannot exceed 16 feet. |
| Trailer sideboards / rails | Extensions over 4 feet high are not permitted. |
| Hydraulic trailer | May enter, but the hydraulic dumping mechanism cannot be raised while unloading. |
| U-Haul-type vehicle | Published rules allow small and medium sizes up to 15 feet. |
| Propane truck | Not allowed. |
Accepted Items at Southwest Neighborhood Depository
The facility accepts several residential junk and recycling categories. Some items require special preparation before arrival.
Junk and household items
- Furniture
- Mattresses
- Stoves
- Washers
- Dryers
- Approved household appliances
Outdoor and tree material
- Tree waste
- Tree limbs
- Approved wood fencing when broken down
Other accepted categories
- Limited passenger tires
- Approved building material
- Concrete under current City disposal guidance
- Used motor oil
- Sorted recyclable materials
Recyclable Materials Accepted at Southwest Houston
The current Southwest facility page lists the following recycling streams.
| Material | Current Facility Guidance |
|---|---|
| Metal cans | Aluminum, tin and empty aerosol cans. |
| Plastic | The facility page specifically lists #1–#5 and #7 plastics. |
| Paper | Newspapers and magazines. |
| Glass | Clear and colored glass bottles and jars. |
| Cardboard | Accepted; flattening and separation can make unloading easier. |
| Used motor oil | Accepted as a designated recycling material. |
| Tree waste | Accepted in the designated material area. |
Houston’s official plastic guidance is inconsistent
The Southwest facility page lists plastics #1–#5 and #7, while a newer 2024 City depository notice describes “all plastics — all numbers and symbols” as accepted. Because those official sources do not perfectly match, confirm unusual plastic types with Houston 311 before making a special trip.
Plastic items specifically excluded on the facility page
- Plastic toys
- Packing materials
- Flower pots
- Styrofoam
- Plastic bags
- Plastic furniture
Passenger Tire Limits
The current Southwest facility page limits residents to up to five automobile tires per month per household and states that rims are not accepted.
Older City documents show a different tire limit
The older general depository-rules PDF says five passenger tires per visit and ten per month. The current Southwest facility page and a newer 2024 City notice use the stricter five tires per month rule, so that is the safer current planning limit.
Truck and industrial tires are not accepted. Houston regulations also impose separate requirements on people transporting larger numbers of tires commercially or in regulated quantities.
Building Material and Construction Debris Limits
A neighborhood depository is not a construction landfill. The City limits the quantity and type of residential building material that can be brought to these locations.
Maximum: four cubic yards
Current City depository guidance states that a maximum of four cubic yards of qualifying building material is accepted from a residential unit.
Prepare loose material
The City’s published rules say loose materials such as drywall or sheetrock should be placed in a container or bag before unloading.
Materials with additional restrictions
City guidance excludes or restricts categories such as roofing shingles, brick, plaster, dirt and other inert material. Concrete appears in the City’s accepted depository guidance, so keep it separated and confirm large or unusual loads before driving.
Refrigerators, Freezers and Appliances Containing Refrigerant
Household appliances such as stoves, washers and dryers can be accepted. Refrigerators and similar appliances containing refrigerant need extra preparation.
Freon/refrigerant must be professionally removed
The City requires refrigerant-containing appliances to have a tag showing that a qualified HVAC technician has removed the refrigerant before the appliance is accepted.
Do not puncture refrigerant lines or attempt an unsafe DIY refrigerant release. Confirm appliance preparation with Houston Solid Waste if there is any uncertainty.
Items the Southwest Depository Does Not Accept
General Exclusions
- Household garbage
- Dead animals
- Rocks
- Dirt
- Brick
- Burned wood
- Pallets
Chemicals and Hazardous Waste
- Paint
- Household chemicals
- Fertilizers
- Pesticides
- Gasoline
- Acid waste
- Toxic waste
- Explosives
- Hot ashes or charcoal
Special Materials
- TVs
- Other electronics
- Truck tires
- Industrial tires
- Infectious waste
- Other EPA-defined hazardous liquids
Where to Take Electronics, Paint and Household Hazardous Waste
Do not bring TVs, computers, paint, pesticides, gasoline or other household hazardous chemicals to the Southwest Neighborhood Depository.
Environmental Service Center — South
11500 S. Post Oak Lane, Houston, TX 77035
This City facility handles eligible household hazardous waste categories. Accepted material and operating schedules differ from the Southwest Depository.
Check Houston Environmental Service CentersElectronics recycling
TVs and electronics use Houston’s electronics-recycling network rather than neighborhood depository junk-waste ramps.
Check City electronics recycling optionsFor general preparation advice, see the site’s electronics recycling guide.
On-Site Unloading and Safety Rules
The City’s detailed depository rules include several operational requirements that are easy to miss if you only check the address and hours.
- Residents are responsible for unloading their own vehicle.
- Materials must be sorted into designated containers.
- Published rules say unloading should generally take no more than 20 minutes.
- If unloading takes too long, an attendant may ask the resident to leave the ramp and return to the line.
- Only one vehicle may dump per address.
- Residents must remain with their vehicle until City staff directs them to the unloading area.
- The on-site speed limit is 5 mph.
- Children under age 16 must remain inside the vehicle and cannot enter the loading ramps.
- Pets are not allowed on site, even when they would remain inside the vehicle.
- Scavenging or salvaging deposited material is prohibited.
- Staff may not solicit or accept tips.
Long waits are possible
The City’s published depository rules warn that residents can encounter significant waiting periods before unloading. Avoid arriving close to closing with a large mixed load.
Why a Southwest Depository Load May Be Rejected
| Problem | Likely Reason | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| No proof of residence | The service is intended for eligible City of Houston residents. | Bring current Texas ID plus required address documentation. |
| Commercial vehicle or contractor load | Business and commercial disposal is excluded. | Use an appropriate commercial disposal facility. |
| Too many visits | Residents are limited to four depository visits per month. | Use another lawful disposal route. |
| Too many tires | Current facility guidance limits passenger tires to five per month. | Use a permitted tire recycler for additional tires. |
| Tires still have rims | The Southwest page says rims are not accepted. | Confirm tire preparation before arrival. |
| Refrigerator has no refrigerant-removal tag | The City requires certified refrigerant removal. | Use a qualified HVAC professional first. |
| TV or computer is rejected | Electronics are not accepted at the neighborhood depository. | Use Houston’s electronics-recycling program. |
| Paint or pesticides are rejected | These are household hazardous waste. | Use a Houston Environmental Service Center. |
| Trailer cannot enter | Trailer size or sideboard limits may be exceeded. | Measure the trailer before loading. |
| Large construction load refused | The facility is not a construction landfill and has quantity/material limits. | Use an appropriate C&D disposal facility. |
Before You Drive: 10-Step Checklist
Confirm you are using the correct facility
The Southwest Depository is for qualifying residential junk, tree waste and recyclables—not ordinary household garbage or commercial waste.
Check the current hours
Use the official Southwest facility page because older City documents show an earlier opening time.
Bring Texas photo ID
Do not assume a utility bill alone is enough to establish eligibility.
Bring current proof of Houston residence
A qualifying current utility bill or other allowed residential document should match the residence associated with the identification.
Count your monthly visits
The current facility page limits residents to four depository uses per month.
Presort the load
Keep recycling, tree waste, furniture, tires and building material separated so unloading is faster.
Measure trailers before loading
Large trailers and high sideboards are not accepted.
Prepare refrigerant appliances correctly
Refrigerators and similar appliances require proof that refrigerant was professionally removed.
Remove electronics and HHW
TVs, computers, paint, gasoline, pesticides and chemicals belong in another City program.
Arrive well before closing
Houston recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before closing, and waiting time can increase during busy periods.
Map to Southwest Neighborhood Depository in Houston
The facility is located at 10785 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074.
Related Recycling Help
Houston paint recycling
For paint-specific disposal planning, see the Houston paint recycling guide.
Electronics recycling
TVs and computers are not accepted here. See the electronics recycling guide.
Find another center
Use the recycling center near me guide when your material does not fit Houston neighborhood-depository rules.
Frequently Asked Questions About Southwest Neighborhood Depository
Where is Southwest Neighborhood Depository in Houston?
It is at 10785 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074.
What are the Southwest Neighborhood Depository hours?
The current City facility page lists Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Monday closed.
Is the Southwest Depository open Monday?
No. Monday is currently listed as closed.
Who can use the Southwest Neighborhood Depository?
The service is intended for eligible City of Houston residents who can provide the required identification and residential documentation.
What proof of residency should I bring?
Bring qualifying Texas photo identification plus a current residential document such as an eligible utility bill. The detailed City rules also provide alternatives for some renters, property owners and students.
How many times can I use a Houston neighborhood depository?
The current Southwest facility page says residents may use neighborhood depositories up to four times per month.
Does the Southwest Depository accept furniture?
Yes. Furniture is one of the junk-waste categories listed by the City.
Does Southwest Neighborhood Depository accept mattresses?
Yes. Mattresses are included in the City’s depository accepted-material guidance.
How many tires can I take?
The current Southwest facility page limits automobile tires to five per month per household and says rims are not accepted.
Can I take a refrigerator to the Southwest Depository?
Yes, but a refrigerator containing refrigerant must have a tag showing that a qualified HVAC professional removed the refrigerant.
Does the center accept TVs and electronics?
No. TVs and other electronics are listed as non-acceptable depository items and should use Houston’s electronics-recycling program.
Can I take paint or chemicals there?
No. Paint, pesticides, household chemicals, gasoline and other hazardous materials use Houston’s Environmental Service Center system rather than the neighborhood depository.
Does the Southwest Depository accept household garbage?
No. Ordinary household garbage is specifically excluded from neighborhood depository service.
Can contractors or commercial vehicles use the center?
No. Contractors, commercial haulers and business/commercial loads are prohibited under the City’s residential depository rules.
Official Sources for Current Houston Depository Information
Hours, material rules, facility operations and eligibility requirements can change. Verify time-sensitive or unusual loads with the City of Houston before driving.