What To Do With Those Unwanted and Unrecyclable Items

A Holiday Note: Did you know that MOST wrapping paper is NOT recyclable. Wrapping paper is often dyed or laminated. It can also contain non-paper additives, such as gold and silver coloring, glitter and plastics, in addition to having tape on it. Ribbon is also NOT recyclable and can damage the recycling machine. Please throw ribbon & wrapping paper in your garbage. Next Christmas, look for recyclable wrapping paper, which can be placed in your recycle bins.

Eyeglasses – the Walmart store at 5405 South Rice.  A donation box is located just outside the Vision Center.  They have teamed with the Lions Club.

Hazardous Waste can be recycled at the Harris County Center listed below. Go to the web site to find a list of items that can be dropped off: http://www.eng.hctx.net/watershed/hhw_home

E-Waste: Try these places for recycling cell phone batteries and electronics:

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
6900 Hahl Road (290 & N. Gessner) Houston 77040
HHW Information Line: 281.560.6200

Accepted items at HHW include pesticides, pool chemicals, and many other hazardous products. If you have any questions regarding acceptable or non-acceptable items or need additional information about the facility please call 281.560.6230.

 Old or Unused Prescription Drugs: One option for consumers to dispose of unneeded medicines is to transfer unused medicines to collectors registered with the DEA. If no medicine take-back programs or DEA-authorized collectors are available in your area, the FDA suggests that you follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in the household trash:

  • Mix medicines (do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as dirt, kitty litter, or used coffee grounds
  • Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
  • Throw the container in your household trash;
  • Scratch out all personal information on the prescription label of your empty pill bottle or empty medicine packaging to make it unreadable, then dispose of the container.

Other Items that can be Recycled include: 

Styrofoam Peanuts

  • Use in the bottom of large flower pots for drainage
  • Cut in half and glue to back of frames to protect walls
  • Look online for other helpful hints.