The Environmental Service Center North at 5614 Neches Street is where City of Houston residents take household hazardous waste — the paint, solvents, batteries, garden chemicals and automotive fluids that must never go in a kerbside bin or a depository skip.

Before anything else, the opening pattern, because it is the most restrictive of any facility on this site. ESC North opens on the second Thursday of each month, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. That is it. One six-hour window per month. Miss it and the next chance is four or five weeks away.

If that does not fit, the city's other hazardous-waste site, ESC South on South Post Oak Road, keeps ordinary weekly hours and takes the same material. For most people with a boot full of old paint tins, South is the sensible destination and North is the local convenience if the date happens to line up.

Proof of address is required. Bring photo identification issued by the state of Texas, paired with a current Houston utility bill or a lease, and the address must read the same on both. Residents whose primary home is out of state bring a property tax bill in the matching name instead. Where the visit is recycling only, the ID by itself will do.

There is no charge for city residents.

Given how narrow the window is, ring 311 to confirm the date is running and that your particular item is accepted before setting out.