The Department of Solid Waste Management's basic garbage collection
services consist of:
1) Once-per week residential garbage and yardwaste collection
2) Once-per-month collection of heavy trash (large, bulky items)
3) Neighborhood depositories
4) Dead animal collection.
Residential Garbage Collection
Currently, homes receive garbage collection service once a week on an Automated Garbage Collection System. Automated collection is a technologically advanced system that employs a specially fitted refuse truck. A side arm grabs and lifts a special container, dumps the garbage into the truck and returns the container to the curb. Residents participating in the program receive a 65- or 90-gallon cart from the city, specially designed for automated collection.
Automated trash collection is cleaner, safer and more efficient than traditional manual collection. In the past, the department has incurred as much as $4 million in workers' compensation costs each year using manual garbage collection. The automated system has reduced injuries, especially back-related injuries, which are common in garbage collection.
The containers used for automated garbage collection are manufactured using 50% recycled materials. This is the highest percentage of recycled plastic used in refuse containers in the country. In fact, these containers are manufactured from plastic collected in Houston's curbside recycling program.
Residents who wish to discard heavy trash before their scheduled once-per-month pickup may use one of four neighborhood depositories at the following locations shown below. Hours of Operation are:
These depositories may be used by the public free of charge. Each user must provide proof of residency using a current utility bill or City property tax receipt, and may use this service four times per month.
Neighborhood depositories will not accept household garbage, more than ten tires from an individual, and large quantities of building materials. Trash from commercial haulers is not accepted. Trash brought in a commercial vehicle (business or rented commercial) also will not be accepted.
Dead Animal Pickup
Dead animal pickup continues to be an important part of basic services. A total of approximately 10,000 dead animals are picked up yearly. The dead animal crew collects approximately 160 dead animals per week.
Dead animals on the curb or in the street are picked up Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The city will not pick up dead animals from businesses treating, handling or disposing of animals. Small dead animals, such as dogs, cats, or others of similar size, will be picked up at no charge. Large dead animals such as horses and cattle are picked up for a fee of $25.
