The next drop-off event is scheduled for:

Saturday, May 14, 2022

550 Landa St (City Hall parking lot)
New Braunfels, TX
*Please enter the parking lot from Laurel Lane*

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Important: The last car in line at noon will be the last assisted.

What Can I Do If I Miss An Event?

Some wastes have various disposal options throughout the year. You can find that information in other sections of this page. Most liquid or granulated chemicals do not have consistent or convenient disposal options. These chemicals should be saved in your garage or shed on a shelf high away from children and pets until an HHW collection event is announced. Never mix chemicals or consolidate chemicals into smaller containers. Keep chemicals in their original container.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is a chemical product that has any one or a combination of these properties:

• Toxic: herbicide, pesticide, fungicide
• Reactive: pool chlorine, drain cleaner, hydrogen peroxide
• Ignitable: gasoline, lighter fluid, paint thinner, stains
• Corrosive: muriatic acid, laundry bleach, oven cleaner

Note: Commercial or business waste is NOT Household Hazardous Waste.

Paint, automotive fluids and filters, and lead-acid batteries are also accepted at events.

Automotive stores and oil change services will often accept used oil. Some fees and restrictions may apply, but these vary by location.  Motor oil and used oil filters can be brought to a HHW event.

Antifreeze

Some automotive service stations accept antifreeze.  Check with the one you use to see if they will accept it. Otherwise, antifreeze can be brought to a HHW event.

Car Batteries

Lead acid batteries are extremely toxic and banned from landfills. These are accepted at HHW events but can also be recycled at local automotive shops.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid should be brought to a HHW event.

Special Waste

Have questions on how to dispose of certain items not listed here? View the Special Waste flyer.

Don't Pour Fats, Oils, and Grease (F.O.G.) Down the Drain!

It's important to keep fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G.) out of drain pipes to avoid backups and costly repairs. Here is how to dispose of F.O.G.: First, let fats, oils, and/or grease solidify. Then, place solidified F.O.G. into bagged household garbage.
Have a large amount of F.O.G.? Funnel used F.O.G. liquid into a disposable container (i.e. a gallon milk jug) and then, once solidified, place the entire container into the garbage.  This is a particularly useful method after frying a turkey around the holidays.

New Braunfels Utilities has more information on F.O.G. on their website.

Disposing of Light Bulbs

Landfill disposal of light bulbs is an option, but diversion from the landfill is better. Burned out light bulbs generated from your home can legally be placed in your garbage container. This includes long fluorescent tubes, CFLs (curly-q bulbs), and the old incandescent bulbs.

CFLs should be double-bagged before they are placed in the trash to reduce the occurrence of broken bulbs releasing mercury in the air at the time of collection. However, it is preferred that CFLS and fluorescent tubes be collected and properly disposed of in a household hazardous waste program or otherwise diverted from the landfill, as they do contain mercury.

Alternatives to the Landfill

The City of New Braunfels does not have a permanent household hazardous waste drop-off location. However, intact CFLs can be dropped off at several local retailers for no charge.

Additionally, bulbs and tubes can be diverted from the landfill by purchasing a mail-back service from a number of companies:

• Waste Management - Think Green From Home
• Aircycle - Easy Pack Sustainable Program

The majority of information below is derived from the American Coatings Association.

Latex Paint

Liquid wastes are restricted from municipal solid waste landfills - never throw away leftover liquid paint in your trash. Wash paint brushes and painting tools in the sink. Never clean your paint brushes near a storm sewer.

Donate
Full cans of new, reusable latex paint may be accepted for reuse or resale by Habitat for Humanity.

Disposal
Unused latex paint can be dried in the can. To speed up drying, add kitty litter, shredded newspaper, or sawdust. Once the paint is dried out, the can and the paint can be placed in your trash cart. We can recycle the metal paint cans at the City Recycle Center if you scrape out the dried paint first.

Recycle
The City does not have a recycling program for paint. However, paint can be brought to an HHW event for proper disposal.

Solvent-Based Paint

Solvent-based or alkyd paints require special disposal practices. Solvent-based paints are ignitable and present particular hazards. These products should not be emptied into storm sewers, household drains, or on the ground. Clean paint brushes and painting tools with paint thinner or turpentine.

Disposal
Do not place these paints in trash; they are ignitable and, therefore, a safety hazard. Bring solvent-based paints to an HHW event.

Paint Thinners, Turpentine, Mineral Spirits & Solvents

Paint thinners, turpentine, mineral spirits and solvents can be reused. These products, like solvent-based or alkyd paints, should not be emptied into storm sewers, household drains, or on the ground.

Reuse

1. Put used turpentine or brush cleaners in a closed container and leave it in a safe place until the paint particles settle to the bottom.
2. Pour off the clear liquid into an empty, clean container that has a lid for reuse.
3. Add an absorbent material such as kitty litter, shredded newspaper or sawdust to the remaining residue in the first container.
4. Let this residue dry completely before disposing of it in your regular trash.
5. Dry empty metal containers may be brought to the City Recycle Center for recycling.

Disposal
Do not place these liquids in your trash cart. Bring these to an HHW event.

Spray Paint

Disposal
Cans containing paint should not be placed in your trash cart, as they are combustible and also contain liquids. These are accepted at City HHW events.