Recycling Dilemma #1014: Fixer Uppers

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As the weather cools, you may feel inspired to tackle a renovation project, whether your home needs a little polish or a big change. From lights and paint to demolition debris and tired appliances, updating your home comes with its own unique recycling challenges. Be it a quick room makeover or a total home transformation, disposing of your waste is one part of a home renovation that you can cross off your list of worries with this handy guide!

Person painting a wall grey with a paint roller

Let’s start small: you’ve decided to update the look of one of your rooms, repainting it and adding newer light fixtures and bulbs. What do you do with the leftover paint and old lights? The first thing to ask yourself with any material is, “Can it be reused?” Working light fixtures, cabinets, interior doors and more are gladly accepted by the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (9407 SH 242, Conroe, TX) during their donation hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, or you can schedule a pickup. Be sure to check out their donation guidelines.  As a bonus, the ReStore is open to the public, and you might just find the perfect addition for your reno project!

Non-working light fixtures made of metal can be brought to the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Facility as scrap metal. For Harris County residents, R&R Salvage takes scrap metal as well. If you have a light fixture made out of another material, check out our Recycle More Guide for other disposal options.

hand holding a lightbulb with a recycling symbol inside of it.

Due to their fragility and diverse components, light bulbs cannot be recycled in your curbside cart. Instead, options such as the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Facilityor Batteries Plus Bulbs allow for safe and easy disposal – or you can hang onto your lightbulbs for our annual 3R Recycling Drive Thru in March. If you have string lights or fluorescents, visit the Recycle More Guideto learn where you can take your various types of lights!

What about all that packaging surrounding those new light fixtures, faucets or other fixtures? Check out Recycling Dilemma #1006 for a guide to disposal. Did you get a new TV after refreshing the living room? If so, be sure to read Recycling Dilemma #1012. What about replacing worn out linens and throw pillows? Recycling Dilemma #1010 is for you!

Going back to our refresh scenario, paints and stains are considered hazardous waste and cannot be collected curbside. For many Woodlands Township residents, paint and various other household hazardous waste can be brought to the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Facility every Wednesday and third Saturday of the month for a nominal fee – check their website for current pricing. If you are a resident of Creekside Park Village, or if you live elsewhere in Harris County, paint can be brought to the Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal by appointment at no cost; sign up on their website.

picture of a room under construction with various equipment strewn around

For the ambitious, you may have decided to take it down to the studs and start fresh, or perhaps you’re taking it one cabinet at a time in the kitchen. Either way, you’re bound to run into construction debris. Now you’re faced with an even larger disposal dilemma, but fear not – while there may not be as much that can be recycled, the solution to your problem is easier than you may think!

I want to have my construction debris and appliances picked up at my home.
  • For appliances free of freon, limited quantities of deck or fence boards, furniture, or small sections of carpet, residents can schedule a bulk pickup with WM. Bulky trash service must be scheduled at least two business days before your normal service day. Contact Waste Management at 1-800-800-5804 or cssatex@wm.com to schedule. This service is provided at no additional cost. Bulky trash is not offered on the 2nd or 4th Friday of the month due to the Bulky Cardboard Collection Schedule. Visit our Bulky Oversized Trash page for guidelines and all accepted items.
  • If residents have construction debris such as entire fence panels or carpets, concrete, drywall, windows, or roofing, these items cannot be serviced as bulky pickup by WM. Instead, WM Bagsters can be purchased at local home improvement stores to hold up to 3,300 pounds of construction debris. Once full, simply schedule your pickup at www.thebagster.com or call 877-789-2247. Check out this list for acceptable material and capacity for projects. 
  • If your fixer upper requires removal of more than 3,300 pounds of construction debris, contact a solid waste company to rent an open-top dumpster that will hold large amounts of construction debris onsite. Available in 20- or 30-yard sizes, this option is convenient for large projects and is coordinated directly with the hauler.
I can drop off my construction debris and appliances at local drop-off locations.

Be sure to contact each facility prior to drop off regarding fees and accepted items.

  • Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Facility, 1122 Pruitt Road, Spring, TX 77380 
    Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
    Phone: 281-367-7283 
    Website: www.precinct3.org/recycling
    Montgomery County residents only. No contractors.

If you have any questions about where to dispose of your home renovation materials, please feel free to reach out to the Environmental Services Department at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or 281-210-3800. We are happy to answer your questions regarding local recycling and reuse options!

Got more recycling dilemmas? Check out these previous posts:     

Connect with us: 281-210-3800 or email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

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