This press release applies to homes serviced by the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department and in the contract areas serviced by Republic Waste.

September 21, 2005 - The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD ) has canceled all solid waste services for Thursday and Friday (September 22 and 23, 2005) and will resume no earlier than Monday if conditions permit. Kingwood Recycling Drop-Off location will also not be available this weekend.

Houston residents are reminded that garbage cans should be secured inside their homes . Solid Waste Management Department Director, Buck Buchanan stated, “After Tropical Storm Allison, many cans floated away from homes. We are asking residents to secure their garbage cans inside because we will not have equipment to retrieve missing cans and we do not replacement cans at this time. We will not be able to collect (garbage) without them.” In addition to the inconvenience of having cans blown or floating away, loose items such as garbage cans can become missiles in high winds. Buchanan warned, “With the impact of strong winds, unsecured garbage cans can smash windows and possibly cause other structural damage to properties. For your and your neighbors' safety, we urge you to secure your can inside your home”.

The Solid Waste Management Department is responsible for solid waste services to approximately 400,000 Houston homes.