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SWEEP AND BAG
City Urges Residents To Bag Light Storm Debris

September 29, 2008 -- Beginning Monday, September 29, 2008, the Yard Waste Schedule has been modified in order for the department to “sweep” geographic areas. The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) has dedicated its Yard Trimmings and Curbside Recycling crews to pick up the bagged vegetative storm debris and put it into rearloader trucks. The modified yard waste schedule is as follows:

  • MONDAYS- Southwest Quadrant Area (all service days)
  • TUESDAYS- Northwest Quadrant Area (all service days)
  • WEDNESDAYS- areas not completed on Monday and Tuesday
  • THURSDAYS- Northeast Quadrant Area (Except Kingwood) (all service days)
  • FRIDAYS- Southeast Quadrant Area (Including Clear Lake) (all service days)
  • SATURDAYS-Far Northeast Quadrant (Kingwood) (all service days)

The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department is urging Houston residents to place their small twigs, leaves and other light loose yard waste in a bag and place it on the curb (of a City street). “By bagging the yard trimmings and light storm debris, our heavy trash crews can concentrate on getting the difficult, bulky items. This will help expedite the overall storm debris cleanup process,” said Harry J. Hayes, Solid Waste Management Department Director. “It will also help reduce the loose debris which may clog ditches and storm sewers/drains,” added Hayes.

The rotation schedule (above) initially takes into account the areas of the city which generally have more bagged yard waste (SW and NW). These areas include all of the pilot areas for the city's tree waste recycling program and biodegradable bag programs. City forces will also provide bagged collection in areas that are under the City sponsorship agreements as called for by the City Debris Management Plan. In non-emergency operations, sponsorship areas are collected by private haulers.

The Heavy Trash Crews will be picking up the heavy loads such as tree stumps and large branches and placing them in the tractor-trailers.

It is estimated that Hurricane Ike generated a minimum of 5 million cubic yards of storm debris. Through Friday, September 26, 2008 noon, the City of Houston and its contractor have collected 985,248 cubic yards (24,550 truckloads) of storm debris.

STORM DEBRIS DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

SWMD has opened its neighborhood depositories 7 days a week to accommodate small amounts of storm debris from Houston residents.  One pickup truck load or less will be accepted. Hours of operations will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Locations are:

The following recyclables are also accepted at Neighborhood Depositories:

  • Newspapers, magazines, office paper
  • Glass food & beverage bottles and jars
  • Plastic bottles and jugs (#1-5 and #7)
  • Aluminum and tin food cans
  • Cardboard boxes (must be broken down with packing materials removed)