Cobbs Recycling Center is the City of Waco's household drop-off site, on Trice Avenue near Waco High School. The unusual thing about it is that the basic service is open to everyone: anyone at all, from any address, can bring household recyclables here at no charge. Waco water customers get a longer list of services on top of that.

The gate is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm, though the bulky and brush bays shut at 4:45pm each day so staff can sweep the area before closing. General recycling covers #1 and #2 plastics, glass bottles and food jars in clear, brown, blue and green, steel and aluminum cans, cardboard, magazines, mail, paper cups, liquid cooking oil, household batteries and CFL bulbs, packing styrofoam, and computers and cell phones. Window glass, dishes, food-contaminated cardboard and styrofoam food containers are turned away.

Show a Waco water bill dated within 30 days of its due date, plus photo ID matching the service address, and the site also takes used motor oil, antifreeze and oil filters up to five gallons a month, latex paint up to five gallons a month, and four trips of bulky and brush waste a year at up to eight cubic yards a visit - roughly a full-size pickup load. State law requires loose loads to be tarped.

Two things carry a charge, both for residents. Refrigerators and other appliances holding Freon need a tag showing a certified technician removed the refrigerant; without one, the city removes it for $15 per appliance. Tires are capped at four per visit, off the rim, 20 inches or smaller, at $3.50 each up to 15 inches and $6.00 each up to 20 inches. Neither counts against your bulky waste trips. Nothing is paid at the gate - the fees appear on your next utility bill.

Construction and remodeling debris, commercial and industrial waste, propane cylinders, old gasoline, household hazardous waste and general household garbage are not accepted. Call (254) 299-2489 if you are unsure about a load.