Houston's South drop-off centre is at 5100 Sunbeam Street, run by the city's Solid Waste Management Department and free to residents.

What surprises first-time users is how much of the experience is governed by site conduct rules rather than fees. You unload your own vehicle, and the city asks that it take no longer than twenty minutes; run over and staff may send you back to rejoin the queue. Materials go into designated containers, sorted. Wait times swing depending on which containers have space.

Children under sixteen must stay inside the vehicle throughout. Pets must remain in the vehicle too — they are not permitted on site even if they never get out. The speed limit inside is five miles per hour. Stay with your car until staff wave you to the unloading area. Salvaging or scavenging from the containers is banned, as is loitering, and staff are not allowed to accept tips. Contractors carrying tools or displaying signage are refused entry regardless of what they are hauling.

Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed both Monday and Sunday. Arrive half an hour before closing.

Four visits per household per month. Bulk or tree waste needs a Texas ID and a matching Houston utility bill or lease; recycling alone needs the ID only.

Loose material such as shingles or leaves must be bagged, contractor-type waste is capped at four cubic yards, and fencing, shelving and large toys have to be fully broken down before they will be taken.