Non-Disposable Items

The Solid Waste Department cannot remove or dispose of the following:

Building Material

  • Remodeling material
  • Fencing material
  • Concrete and brick
  • Construction material
  • Sheet rock and lumber
  • Other construction-related chemicals and fluids


  • Dirt and sand
  • Duct material
  • Roofing material
  • Railroad ties
  • Oil-based paint

Automobile Parts

  • All auto parts
  • Motor oil
  • Batteries
  • Tires and rims
  • Other automotive-related chemicals and fluids


  • Antifreeze
  • Body parts
  • Gasoline
  • Transmission fluid

Appliances & Electronic Goods

  • Refrigerators freezers
  • Stoves
  • Freezers
  • Computers
  • Other electronic goods


  • Air conditioners
  • Washing machines
  • Televisions
  • Other large appliances

Chemicals

  • Swimming pool cleaning chemicals
  • Other chemicals
  • Chlorine
  • Helium Tanks

Glass, Sharp Objects & Latex

All glass being disposed of as garbage such as, but not limited to, windowpanes, sheet glass and broken glass shall be wrapped in cardboard and taped before setting out for collection.

All sharp objects or objects with sharp, cutting edges being disposed of as garbage such as, but not limited to, broken plastic and metal fragments shall be wrapped in cardboard and taped before setting out for collection.

Needles shall be put in a bottle or other container secured with a lid before setting out for collection.

Latex paint may be accepted for collection only if it has been thoroughly dried and hardened.

Note: When purchasing a new appliance it would be wise to include the removal of the old appliance with your purchase. EPA Hazardous Waste regulations concerning products containing freon and their disposal are best handled by the appliance industry.

Yard Waste

The Solid Waste Department will not remove debris from the residential curb when a resident has used a private company to trim their tree limbs, bush and grass. The hired contractor must remove debris as a result of a hired contractor's work from the curb. From the City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances:

Sec. 16-7. Garbage generated or collected by commercial tree trimming, lawn maintenance, gardening or landscaping services, handymen or any others not considered the occupant.

It shall be unlawful for any commercial tree trimming, lawn maintenance, gardening or landscaping services, handymen or any others not considered the occupant who shall be employed within the city limits of the city to prune or trim and tree, hedge, or bush, to fail to haul away grass, tree, hedge, bush and landscape trimmings from the city limits of the city to a point outside the city limits of the city.

The Solid Waste Department shall remove up to 200 lbs of debris per scheduled service day when the debris is a result of the resident's own yard trimming activities at the pertinent residence. Debris in excess of 200 lbs is the owner's responsibility. From the City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances:

Sec. 16-8. Garbage consisting of tree, hedge, and bush trimmings cut by the owner.

All limbs, brush and tree sections 3" in diameter or smaller and cut personally by the owner shall be cut in four (4) foot lengths and tied in a bundle not greater than two (2) feet in diameter and placed with household garbage for collection. The limit shall be three (3) bundles per household per collection day.

All limbs, brush and tree sections greater than 3" in diameter and cut personally by the owner shall not exceed 8" in diameter and shall be cut in lengths not to exceed four (4) feet and stacked three (3) feet behind the curb in piles not exceeding four (4) feet in height. The weight limit shall not exceed 200 pound per collection per day.

Limbs and brush cut personally by the owner shall be stacked for collection with no overhead obstructions such as, but not limited to, trees, streetlights and power lines. Vertical clearance shall be 30 feet from the ground.

Brush, limbs and tree sections not collected due to non-compliance with this ordinance shall be removed by the owner within 24 hours of notification at the owner's expense.

Hazardous Waste

The Public Works Department cannot pick up hazardous waste material. Hazardous waste disposal is a nationwide problem due to the high cost of disposal that is driven by government regulations pertaining to its disposal. Information regarding hazardous waste disposal is best when obtained from your local Environmental Protection Agency. One way to minimize the hazardous waste disposal problem is to be a smart shopper. You can minimize the problem through the products you purchase.

Bellaire residents can dispose of some household hazardous waste items at the Harris County Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility. To learn more about they will accept, go to Hazardous Waste.

Heavy Trash

Heavy trash can usually be accommodated for disposal on your regular pick days. For more information, please contact us at Bellaire Public Works or 713-662-8170. Non-disposable items listed above cannot be collected.