The short answer: Old carpet isn’t hazardous, so the usual route in Texas is the landfill or transfer station — cut it into manageable rolls, tie them, & pay the normal disposal fee by load or weight. The cheapest move, though, is to let your flooring installer haul the old carpet away when new flooring goes in. Carpet recycling exists but is limited in Texas, so most people landfill it.
Your options for old carpet
1. Let the installer take it (easiest)
If you’re replacing carpet, most flooring companies include or offer old-carpet removal & disposal. Ask for it in the quote — it’s usually cheaper than renting a dumpster or making landfill trips yourself, & they’ve already got the truck.
2. Landfill or transfer station
Carpet & padding are accepted as regular bulky trash at landfills & transfer stations. You’ll pay the site’s normal rate — often a minimum charge for a small load, or by weight for a bigger one. Find a site near you in our directory & check the listing’s posted fee & source link before driving out. We list real per-facility fees where the facility publishes them, & mark the rest “Call to confirm.”
3. Roll-off dumpster (for whole-house jobs)
Re-carpeting a whole house or clearing a rental? A roll-off dumpster can be cheaper & easier than repeated landfill runs. See our roll-off dumpster guide for Texas sizes & price ranges.
4. Carpet recycling (limited)
Carpet can technically be recycled into new fiber & backing, but drop-off points are scarce in Texas compared with states that have carpet-recycling laws. If you want to recycle, search for a regional carpet reclamation center or ask a flooring retailer — otherwise the landfill is the realistic option.
Prep tips that save you money & mess
- Cut carpet into 3–4 ft wide strips with a utility knife, then roll & tie each one — loose carpet is awkward & some sites charge more for unrolled loads.
- Bag the padding separately; it’s bulkier & lighter, so it fills space fast.
- Keep tack strips & staples out of the carpet rolls if you can — they’re sharp.
- Cover & secure your load if you’re hauling it on a trailer — Texas sites can fine unsecured loads.
Related guides
- How to get rid of old furniture in Texas
- Where to dump concrete, dirt & rubble in Texas
- Roll-off dumpster rental in Texas
We never guess a dump fee. Published rates link to a dated source; unpublished ones say “Call to confirm.” Here’s our data promise.