Starting Jan. 1, 2026 the Comal County Recycling Center will no longer accept single-stream recyclables so it can focus on items that can be recycled more “effectively and responsibly.”
Paper, plastics, glass, tin cans, newspapers, books and magazines are out.
Materials still accepted for recycling include:
- Aluminum and metal cans
- Cardboard
- Tires ($2 each for automotive, light-truck only)
- Brush and yard waste
- Select electronics and appliances
Green waste, including green waste bags containing grass clippings, weeds and leaves, will no longer be accepted in order to keep mulch offered for free to residents as clean and high-quality as possible.
Pct. 1 Comal County Commissioner Doug Leecock, who represents Canyon Lake on Commissioners Court, said private companies actively offer recycling services once provided by the county.
The county decided to discontinue some of its recycling services due to increased costs.
In a Nov. 4 press release, Comal County Engineer Robert Boyd said the county conducted a comprehensive cost analysis of the operational models for the recycling center’s future.
The most cost-effective one, focusing on baled aluminum and cardboard, offered the “most-effective path forward” by reducing contamination and overall disposal costs while maintaining service for residents.
“Comal County has been running a recycling operation for decades,” he said. “In an effort to refine our recycling efforts, we analyzed several models that allowed the county to determine the best path forward. By concentrating on materials that hold strong market value and experience less contamination, we can keep recycling viable and operate responsibly within our 2026 budget.”
Brush drop-off fees are also going up. The new costs are $15 for pick-up trucks, $30 for trailers 14 feet or smaller, $45 for trailers over 14 feet and $150 for dump trucks.
Mulch is still free.
Comal County’s Recycling Center is located at 281 Resource Dr., New Braunfels.
Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday.