CITY AWARDS CONTRACT TO LIVING EARTH TECHNOLOGY CO. FOR WOOD WASTE RECYCLING SERVICES Houston Advances Towards Citywide Tree Waste Recycling
May 14, 2008 - On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, Houston 's City Council approved an ordinance awarding a contract to the LETCO Group, LLC DBA Living Earth Technology Co. on its low bid (and sole bid) for wood waste recycling services for the City's Solid Waste Management Department. It's the first step in a citywide tree waste recycling program that will help divert the material from City landfills.
Under this contract, the City will deliver wood waste materials (which consist of tree limbs, branches, and stumps) to the LETCO's Living Earth Technology Co. locations. Living Earth Technology Co. will receive, and grind the materials into compostable material. Also, Living Earth Technology Co. will ensure that the wood chips are marketed and distributed, and that no clean wood waste will be disposed of in a landfill.
"An important decision has been made to preserve our natural resources and save tax dollars by diverting materials from area landfills," said Mayor Bill White. "I am encouraged by the strong support we continue to receive from Houstonians who want to do more for the environment. We expect our program to help us divert at least 20% from area landfills and postpone the day when we have to invest in costly new ones. This is one of the green efforts we will pursue to ensure we leave our children and grandchildren a clean, healthy place to live."
Mark Rose, president of the LETCO Group, remarked, "We are absolutely thrilled that Houston is dedicated to recycling. For over 16 years, we have partnered with Houston in the Christmas Tree Recycling Program and recently have collaborated in a pilot program testing biodegradable yard waste bags. We look forward to working with the Solid Waste Management Department to see the tree waste recycling program grow."
On October 15, 2007, the City began a Tree Waste Recycling Pilot Program serving 47,000 homes from certain southwest and northwest neighborhoods. Solid Waste Management Department Director Harry J. Hayes said, "In the six-month period of the pilot program, we have saved $139,946 in tax dollars from avoiding landfill disposal costs. We are extremely pleased at the results of the pilot program and we thank the residents in the pilot area for helping us develop a successful tree waste recycling system that can be expanded to all of Houston ." Living Earth Technology Co. donated the disposal for the pilot project.
The Tree Waste Recycling Program will be expanded citywide in October 2008. To accomplish this goal, the City will revamp its current method of heavy trash collection:
The City will collect tree waste exclusively on designated months on the resident's current heavy trash collection day.
On the alternating months, residents may set out their heavy trash or junk waste at the curb for City collection.
Letters regarding the new Tree Waste Recycling Program will be mailed to Houston residents at least 30 days in advance of the change. For more information, log on to www.houstonsolidwaste.org or call 3-1-1, the City's Customer Service Hotline.
The Solid Waste Management Department provides solid waste service to the citizens of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective.
