August 7, 2008 - The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department is encouraging residents who receive City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department services to be on the watch for information regarding the new Tree Waste Recycling Program. The letters regarding the new program will be mailed to these residents within the next two weeks.
The Tree Waste Recycling Program will become effective citywide in October 2008. To accomplish this goal, the City will revamp its current method of heavy trash collection:
1) The City will collect tree waste exclusively on designated months (odd months) on the resident’s current heavy trash collection day.
2) On the alternating months (even months), residents may set out their heavy trash or junk waste at the curb for City collection.
3) Residents are limited to eight cubic yard (two pickup beds full) per monthly collection.
MONTH COLLECTION
October -- Junk Waste
November -- Tree Waste
December -- Junk Waste
January -- Tree Waste
February -- Junk Waste
March -- Tree Waste
April -- Junk Waste
May -- Tree Waste
June -- Junk Waste
July -- Tree Waste
August -- Junk Waste
September -- Tree Waste
“Tree Waste” is defined as “clean wood waste”, which consists of tree limbs, branches and stumps. Lumber, furniture or treated wood will not be accepted. The term, “Junk Waste,” is used to describe items previously referred to as “heavy trash” such as furniture, appliances, and other bulky material.
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, “Over the course of the test phase, we have been able to divert 5,801 tons of tree waste from area landfills. That constitutes a savings of $185,632.00 from just 47,000 homes in the pilot program. 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.
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.
