TAGS FOR BAGS CAN NOW BE PURCHASED ONLINE KROGER JOINS FIESTA AND SELLERS BROS. IN PROVIDING TAGS FOR BAGS
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Tags for Bags payment form (.pdf)
February 12, 2003 - Houstonians can now experience the convenience of purchasing Tags for Bags stickers online (in .pdf format) using their credit card. Also, Kroger has joined Fiesta and Sellers Bros. supermarkets in providing these Tags for Bags.
Extra bags of garbage are collected only if they have a special sticker tag attached. This new "Tags for Bags" program will allow residents the convenience of purchasing "tags" instead of additional cans if they require extra service only occasionally. Residents may also download the "Tags for Bags" Order Form from the Solid Waste Management Department website (www.houstonsolidwaste.org) and send their completed form and payment through the mail. A $3 service charge will be required for e-mail, phone, or mail orders. Tags for bags may be purchased for a fee of one dollar ($1.00) per tag plus tax. E-mail, phone or mail orders must be purchased in increments of five (5). Bags of yard trimmings do not require Tags for Bags stickers.
On June 19, 2002, Houston's City Council approved an ordinance amending Article IV of Chapter 39 of the Houston Code of Ordinances, approving and authorizing the creation of an Extra Capacity Collection Fee (ECC) for the Solid Waste Management Department. Under the umbrella of the ECC ordinance, the Add-A-Can and the Tags for Bags Program were created. Implementation of both programs began October 1, 2002.
The City of Houston's Add-A-Can program provides residents with the opportunity of having a second or third can serviced for a fee. Residents will have their first 90-gallon can serviced free-of-charge. The fee for servicing each additional container (maximum of 3 total) will be $7.50 plus tax per month for a minimum subscription of one (1) year. This fee will be added to the citizen's monthly water bill upon request of the service. Citizens who already have an extra can, and wish to continue to have it collected will need to request a sticker for it. Solid Waste Management Department crews will continue to service extra cans identified with stickers.
"Federal and state policy encourages measures designed to reduce total waste volume. In Texas, the TEQC (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) encourages 'pay as you throw' fee structures for solid waste collection. Where cities charge for solid waste services, a common waste reduction strategy is to charge a base rate for a relatively small volume and higher rates for higher volumes. This fee supports the goal of overall waste reduction," says Solid Waste Management (SWMD) Director Thomas Buchanan. Buchanan emphasizes, "The extra capacity fee is only for those who exceed the 90-gallon volume per week."