Cougar Landfill

Cougar Landfill sits out at 8601 East Mount Houston and handles final burial of trash for that part of the city. Locals and commercial haulers both use it, so expect a lot of trucks and heavy equipment rather than a neat drop-off center. The site operates under Texas Commission on Environmental Quality oversight like other landfills in the state.

This is a large, working landfill - dirt roads, compacted mounds, bulldozers and roll-off trucks are the norm. There is usually an entrance booth and a scale at facilities like this, with tipping fees charged by weight and different rates for commercial versus residential loads. Weekends and spring-cleanup season often mean lines, so be prepared to wait; traffic cones and signage tend to route vehicles toward the active dumping spots. Bring a vehicle that can handle loose gravel and watch for heavy machinery as you move around the site.