Precinct 4 provides these dumpsters free, and they are genuinely useful — but they are far narrower in purpose than the word “dumpster” suggests, and an earlier version of this listing described them too broadly.

The single most important correction: household garbage is not accepted here. Neither are tyres, batteries, motor oil, paint cans including spray cans, or chemicals. This is not an alternative to your kerbside bin or to a landfill.

Access is limited to homeowners, which the precinct states plainly — not contractors, not commercial entities. Commercial vehicles and box trucks or trailers are refused at the entrance. Each homeowner may bring one load per day, a rule that exists so everyone gets a turn.

What the site is really for is yard and fence clear-outs: shrubs, branches, old deck boards, lumber from fence replacement, miscellaneous household clutter, and storm debris after a bad weather event. Tree limbs must be under six inches in diameter and no longer than six feet. Nails, screws and hardware have to be pulled out of fencing first, and all fencing goes inside the marked dumpster area.

Construction and remodelling material is out: roofing, wood, shingles, sheetrock, carpet and padding, siding, laminate flooring, toilets and tubs. So are concrete, brick, grass clippings, bagged leaves, pine straw, mulch and dirt.

Large objects such as swing sets or camper covers must be dismantled before they go in. Freezers and refrigerators need their compressors removed first.

There are two sites, both open Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Sunday: Service Center Road in Tomball, and 28511 Old Washington Road in Hockley. Dumpsters may be closed when full, so it is worth ringing (832) 927-4444 on a busy weekend before setting out.