Houston’s recycling service is facing significant delays, with pickups running three to five days behind schedule in some neighborhoods. Officials attribute the growing backlog to a combination of aging equipment, staff shortages, and outdated route planning.
As of late July, recycling pickup in Houston is experiencing delays of three to five days, resulting in numerous complaints from residents about missed service. City data reveals that Houston’s 311 system recorded almost 15,000 complaints regarding recycling in the past 12 weeks, which is nearly quadruple the number from the same timeframe the previous year. Complaints regarding missed trash pickups have consistently hovered around 9,500 calls, while there has been a notable increase in recycling delays due to ongoing operational challenges.
Recently appointed Solid Waste Director Larius Hassan informed a city council committee last week that the city's waste management system is under pressure due to several contributing factors: shortages of trucks, staffing shortages, inefficiencies in routes, and elevated contamination levels in recycling bins. Out of the department's fleet of 219 trucks, nearly half are typically out of service at any given time. Approximately one-third of the fleet has surpassed the seven-year mark and has accumulated over 150,000 miles. "Daily breakdowns are becoming increasingly common," Hassan stated.
The City Council is set to cast its votes on Wednesday regarding a $12.5 million plan to purchase 25 new trucks. Hassan has projected that the department requires 70 more vehicles and at least 30 additional drivers to satisfy the existing demand. The department is currently updating its garbage and recycling routes, which have remained unchanged for ten years, to better align with the city's evolving population dynamics.
In a challenging development, 40% of recycling loads face contamination issues, and when the contamination rate surpasses 60%, those loads are completely rejected, leading to additional delays. Hassan emphasized the importance of increasing public awareness about effective recycling methods to minimize plant rejections.
There are delays in the collection of heavy trash and yard waste, with yard waste now being picked up together with heavy trash. The department is set to introduce a pilot program for on-demand collection, designed to alleviate pressure on standard routes.
The solid waste department is facing ongoing financial challenges with a decreased budget of $101 million for 2026, a drop from the previous $107 million. Hassan reported that 21 staff members opted for voluntary retirement buyouts, significantly impacting one crucial service area. Several council members are advocating for the exploration of a new trash fee model to secure sustainable funding for essential services.
