City Recycle Center

The City Recycle Center is available for anyone to bring material for recycling, including apartment dwellers, businesses, and visitors.

Recycling Rules


  • Flatten boxes, rinse containers, and bring items loose in a container.
  • Secure shredded paper in a paper bag and staple it shut.  
  • DO NOT use city-provided green waste paper bags to bring items to us.
  • Green Waste is NOT accepted.
  • Materials may be rejected based on quantity, quality, and/or contamination. 
  • No trailer loads of materials are allowed.
  • Plastic foam, commonly called Styrofoam, is accepted for drop-off, but it must be separate from other recyclables. Click here for more information before bringing items for drop-off.
What Can I Bring for Recycling?
View a printable PDF of this information.
Yes No
Plastic containers #1-7

Styrofoam (must be separate!)
 Plastic bags
Plastic wrap        
Cups, plates, utensils
Plastic hangers
Hoses
Newspaper
Paper
Junk mail
Magazines
Catalogs
Cardboard
Paperboard
Food and beverage cartons
 Tissues
Paper towels
Napkins
Wax coated paper products
Coated paper bags
Cups, plates, utensils
Pizza boxes

Glass bottles
Glass jars		 Mirrors
Ceramics
Vases
Drinking glasses
Aluminum cans Aluminum foil
Steel cans
Tin cans		 Wires
Cords
Hangers
Chains
Scrap metal
Appliances, without Freon
Lawn mowers
BBQ grills
Bicycles
 Refrigerators
Freezers
Helium tanks
Propane tanks

Holiday Tree Mulching


For a limited time after Christmas, natural Christmas trees (free of flocking and decorations) can be dropped off at the City Recycle Center. View info flyer.

December 27 – January 14

Drop-off your natural trees at the City Recycle Center.
  • NO artificial trees
  • NO decorations (lights, garland, tinsel, stands, ornaments, etc.)
  • NO flocked trees (fake snow)

January 3 – January 14

Pick-up free holiday tree mulch at the City Recycle Center.

Tree mulch is for New Braunfels residents and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mulch pick-up is self-load and residents will need to provide their own shovels and containers.