Water heaters don't announce when they're going to fail. One morning there's a puddle on the utility room floor and a 150-pound steel tank that now needs to go somewhere. The good news: Abilene has real options. The less good news: most residents don't know about the scrap angle, and a few end up paying for removal they didn't need to pay for.
This guide covers everything verified — city pickup, drop-off, scrap yards that will buy it, and what to do if none of those work.
Option 1: Schedule City Curbside Pickup (Free)
The City of Abilene's Solid Waste Services Division handles large appliance pickup for residents. Water heaters qualify as large appliances under city rules.
Call (325) 676-6053 to schedule. Place the unit at the end of your driveway near the curb on the scheduled day. That's it. No cost, no hauling it yourself.
One thing to confirm when you call: whether the pickup will happen on your regular collection day or a separate scheduled visit. Hours and routing vary by neighborhood. Don't assume it goes out with your normal trash.
Option 2: Citizens Convenience Station (Free, Self-Drop)
If you have a truck and want to handle it on your own schedule, the Citizens Convenience Station is the move. It's a self-serve drop-off for bulky items — no appointment needed.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 2149 Sandy Street, Abilene, TX 79601 |
| Phone | (325) 677-2149 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 8am–3pm, Sun Closed |
| Cost | Free for Abilene residents |
| Load limit | Approximately one pickup bed per visit |
| What to bring | Driver's license + current City of Abilene water bill |
You sign in at the station, show your ID and water bill, unload your own items. No staff to help — bring someone if the tank is full-sized. A 40-gallon water heater weighs around 120 pounds empty, more if there's still water sitting in it. Drain it first.
Residents only. No commercial drop-offs. The station is not for contractors or rental property owners disposing of tenant units.
Option 3: Sell It as Scrap Metal (Get Paid)
This is the option most people skip, and it's the wrong call. A standard residential water heater is mostly steel with copper fittings and brass connections. At current steel prices, you're looking at roughly $10–25 for a whole unit. Separate the copper lines and brass fittings first, and that figure goes up.
Two verified scrap yards in Abilene that accept this material:
| Yard | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Street Salvage | 3833 Pine St, Abilene, TX 79601 | (325) 677-8831 | Call ahead to confirm |
| Texas Metals & Recycling | 2989 Pine St, Abilene, TX 79601 | (325) 672-8585 | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm (lunch break 11:30–12:30) |
Pine Street Salvage explicitly lists "loose tin/appliance recycling" and accepts ferrous scrap including steel. Texas Metals has been operating in Abilene since 1909 and buys scrap iron, steel, copper, and brass — all materials in a water heater.
If you have a tankless water heater, call first. Those units contain different materials and both yards will need to assess before making an offer.
Retailer Haul-Away and Private Haulers
Retailer haul-away: If a plumber or retailer is installing your new water heater, ask directly whether they'll take the old unit. Many do as part of installation — it's not always advertised. Home Depot and Lowe's both offer appliance haul-away on certain purchases; confirm at the time of sale whether water heaters qualify under their current policy, as this varies by location and changes periodically.
Private haulers: If you're not an Abilene city resident (Taylor County rural, for example), the city's free options don't apply to you. Private junk removal companies operate in the area — LoadUp, 1-800-GOT-JUNK, and local operators. Expect to pay $75–150 for a single appliance pickup. Worth comparing against the scrap yard option, which pays you instead.
Common Mistakes
Putting it out with regular trash. Water heaters don't go in the standard collection. They need a separate scheduled pickup or drop-off. Leaving one at the curb on trash day will not result in it being collected.
Going to the Citizens Convenience Station without the water bill. Driver's license alone is not enough. The station requires both. A couple of residents have made the drive, couldn't get in, and had to haul the unit back home. Bring both documents.
Not draining the tank before transport. A 40-gallon tank holds — obviously — 40 gallons of water. That's roughly 335 pounds of water sitting inside a unit that's already 100+ pounds empty. Drain through the drain valve at the bottom before you move it.
Assuming the scrap yard won't take it. Common assumption, wrong. Steel is steel. Both yards above accept large ferrous appliances. You're not doing them a favor — they want the material.
Tex's Take
If you have a truck, the scrap yard is the right call. You drive it over, they hand you cash, done in 20 minutes. The city pickup is fine but you're waiting on their schedule, and in a Texas August, a leaking water heater sitting in your garage is not something you want to think about for two weeks.
The Citizens Convenience Station is good for residents without trucks who can borrow one for a Saturday morning trip. Just drain the thing first. That's the only step most people skip and regret.
FAQ
Does Abilene pick up water heaters for free?
Yes. Call Abilene Solid Waste at (325) 676-6053 to schedule a large appliance pickup. Place the unit curbside at your driveway on the scheduled day. This service is for city residents only.
Can I drop off my water heater at the Citizens Convenience Station?
Yes. The station at 2149 Sandy Street is open Monday through Friday 8am–5pm and Saturday 8am–3pm. You need a driver's license and a current City of Abilene water bill to sign in. Bring both or you won't be admitted. Loads are limited to roughly one pickup bed.
Can I sell my old water heater for scrap in Abilene?
Yes. Pine Street Salvage (3833 Pine St, (325) 677-8831) and Texas Metals & Recycling (2989 Pine St, (325) 672-8585) both accept ferrous appliances. A standard residential tank typically brings $10–25 at current steel prices. Call ahead for a current quote before hauling it over.
What do I do if I'm outside Abilene city limits?
City services — curbside pickup and the Citizens Convenience Station — are for Abilene residents only. Taylor County residents outside city limits can still use the scrap yards (no residency requirement), or contact a private hauler. Call ahead to your county's solid waste office for any county-level disposal events.
Does my plumber have to take the old water heater?
Not automatically, but many will. Ask before the job starts. If they're installing the replacement unit, removal of the old one is often negotiable. Some include it; some charge a disposal fee. Get it in writing before work begins.
Data for this guide was verified using official City of Abilene solid waste pages, direct business listings for Pine Street Salvage and Texas Metals & Recycling, and publicly available sources. Hours and policies can change — call ahead before visiting. Last verified: May 2026.
About Tex
Tex is the pen name of Vinod Pandey, an environmental researcher who runs TexasRecycleGuide.com. Every guide is independently researched against official Texas city and county solid waste sources. No guesswork, no invented addresses.
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Water heaters are one of those items where the disposal is easier than people expect — Abilene has covered most of the angles. The city pickup number, the drop-off station, and two scrap yards that will pay you. Pick whichever fits your situation and move on.
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