recycling
San Marcos, Texas
Recycling centers in San Marcos
Find a place for your next drop-off. Compare accepted materials, check hours, and contact a local center before you go.
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Elemental North America (formerly PGM of Texas)
525 Platinum Dr San Marcos TX 78666 USA
4.4/5(33 reviews)
Elemental North America operates a national network to connect individuals looking to sell catalytic converters with trusted buyers. They emphasize a straightforward process and market-informed pricing, using relationships with local companies across the U.S.
catalytic converterrecyclingbuying servicemarket pricing
Listed hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Sat-Sun Closed
Accepts: Catalytic converters (buyer eligibility and rules vary)
Services: Catalytic converter buying · Buyer connection service
What is the process to sell my catalytic converters?
You can submit a request, connect with a buyer in your area, and then complete your sale directly.
What identification is needed to sell catalytic converters?
Sales may require valid identification, proof of ownership, or business documentation depending on your location.
Green Guy Recycling's San Marcos residential drop-off is available 24/7 to San Marcos residents; some streams are staffed-only. Listed items include household containers and paper, used motor oil and filters, lead-acid batteries and limited household antifreeze. The operator also offers commercial scrap buying, hauling and roll-off containers. Review the accepted list before unloading.
Residential recyclingScrap metalMotor oilBatteriesCommercial hauling
Listed hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Sat 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Sun Closed
Accepts: Aluminum cans and foil, Cardboard and brown paper, Glass bottles, Ink cartridges, Lead-acid batteries, Used motor oil and filters, Plastic bottles, Tin cans, Small magnetic-metal countertop appliances, Sealed household antifreeze up to 5 gallons
Services: Residential recycling drop-off · Commercial scrap buying · Scrap hauling and pickup · Roll-off containers
Who can use the residential drop-off?
The operator says the 24/7 residential center is for San Marcos residents; some materials are accepted only during staffed hours.
What Texas metals-program certificate is recorded for this business?
Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Metals Program lists GREEN GUY RECYCLING,INC. at this address with certificate 101109, with a reported expiration date of 2027-03-16. The entry appears in its Active Metal Recycling Entities list retrieved 2026-10-30. This is a reported registry entry; confirm current standing with DPS.
Roadrunner Recycling/Autos
16380 N. Hwy 123
Junk cars and scrap metal are both bought for cash on the spot at Roadrunner Recycling/Autos, 16380 N. Highway 123 in San Marcos. Cars are bought running or not, and the yard picks up unwanted vehicles when asked. The scrap list covers copper, insulated wire, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, steel, tin, iron, radiators, condensers, batteries, electric motors, alternators, starters, transmissions, air conditioning units, computers, and catalytic converters, plus cores. The yard opens Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Scrap MetalJunk CarsCash For CarsCopperAluminumBrass+4 more
Listed hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Sat 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, closed Sunday.
Accepts: Copper, Insulated wire, Brass, Aluminum, Stainless steel, Steel, Tin, Iron, Radiators, Condensers, Batteries, Electric motors, Alternators, Starters, Transmissions, Air conditioning units, Computers, Catalytic converters, Cores
Services: Cash paid on the spot · Junk car purchasing, running or not · Vehicle pickup on request · Scrap metal buying
Does Roadrunner Recycling/Autos buy catalytic converters?
Yes. Catalytic converters are on the yard's accepted-items list along with radiators, alternators, starters, and transmissions.
Does Roadrunner Recycling/Autos buy junk cars that do not run?
Yes. The yard buys cars running or not and will pick up an unwanted vehicle when asked.
San Marcos Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
634 East Hopkins Street
All Hays County household hazardous waste goes to this East Hopkins Street facility across from HEB in San Marcos. It is open to every Hays County resident.
hhwcountysan marcos
Accepts: Household hazardous waste
Services: Household hazardous waste drop-off
Materials Accepted in San Marcos
Based on the listings above, materials commonly handled in San Marcos include recycling, Batteries, catalytic converter, market pricing, Residential recycling. Browse the guides below for preparation tips, scrap values, and what's recyclable.
Recycling in San Marcos, Texas
The city's Resource Recovery Division runs San Marcos trash and recycling, and Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) does the curbside work: a black-lid garbage cart every week, plus tan-lid single stream recycling and green-lid yard waste carts every other week. For tires, TVs, and old fridges, the city contracts Green Guy Recycling to run a drop-off center at 937 Texas 80. Paint and chemicals go to the city's HHW Drop-Off and Reuse Center at 634 E Hopkins. Government-issued ID required for regulated metals including copper and catalytic converters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes in the San Marcos recycling cart?
The tan-lid TDS cart is single stream, so empty, rinsed containers and flattened boxes all go in together, loose and never bagged. Leave out food and liquids, and keep the lid closed. Extra recycling fits in up to 3 small cardboard boxes set beside the cart, and each box must be small enough to fit inside the cart. TDS empties it every other week on your route.
How does yard waste pickup work in San Marcos?
TDS empties the green-lid yard waste cart every other week, on the same route schedule as recycling. Put loose material in the cart with no plastic bags. When the cart fills up, set extra leaves and clippings beside it in up to 12 paper yard waste bags, and the cart has to be out with the bags on your service day or the bags stay behind.
Where is the household hazardous waste drop-off in San Marcos?
The city's HHW Drop-Off and Reuse Center is at 634 E Hopkins, open Fridays from noon to 3:30 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to noon. It takes paint, pesticides, cleaners, pool chemicals, automotive fluids, fluorescent lights, cooking oil, and sharps from residential households only. The limit is 300 pounds per vehicle per day, with 12 quarts of oil, fuel, or antifreeze, 3 car batteries, and six 5-gallon buckets of paint per visit.
Where do I recycle electronics, tires, and appliances in San Marcos?
Take them to the Green Guy Recycling Citizens' Collection Station at 937 Texas 80, because the HHW center refuses electronics, TVs, tires, and appliances. San Marcos residential customers get fees waived each calendar year on 5 passenger tires, 1 television, 2 computer monitors, 2 freon appliances, and 2 mattresses or box springs. Show a city utility bill listing Recycle Center Services in your own name.
What are the Green Guy Recycling drop-off hours in San Marcos?
Staff work the Citizens' Collection Station at 937 Texas 80 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday, 8:00 AM to noon, and it is closed Sunday. The recycling drop-off area stays open 24/7, but bulky waste has to be handed to staff during business hours. Citizen bulk waste costs $150 per ton with a $10 minimum. The phone is 512-353-3266.
How do I get a bulky item picked up in San Marcos?
Residential garbage customers get 4 bulk pickups a year, up to 3 cubic yards each. Schedule with Resource Recovery (512-393-8412) by 3:00 PM at least 2 business days before your service day, and wait for staff to confirm. Pickup runs the 1st and 3rd full week of the month on your garbage day. Everything collected goes to the landfill, and crews skip items you did not list.
Recycling tips for San Marcos
- •Cut carpet into 4-foot strips under 35 pounds each, with no more than 4 rolls per bulk pickup.
- •Call Resource Recovery about mattresses and box springs before you book a bulk pickup, since bulk items go straight to the landfill.
- •Take ammunition and old prescriptions to the San Marcos Police Department, not the HHW center.
- •Return carts behind your house or fence by 9:00 PM on service day, and report a missed pickup within 24 hours.
- •Apartment residents without a recycling cart can use the Green Guy drop-off center on Texas 80.
Recycling centers near San Marcos
The closest recycling centers in neighboring areas:
Comal Iron & Metals
New Braunfels, TX · 14 mi
Hays County Citizens Collection Wimberley
Wimberley, TX · 14 mi
Hays County Citizens Collection Driftwood
Driftwood, TX · 16 mi
Lockhart Recycle Center
Lockhart, TX · 16 mi
City Recycle Center
New Braunfels, TX · 17 mi
Texas Disposal Systems Landfill
Creedmoor, TX · 18 mi
Recycling centers in nearby cities
Browse recycling centers in other Texas cities: