Houston’s mayor warns that recycling pickups could take months to improve after leadership changes and equipment challenges in Solid Waste Management.
HOUSTON — As recycling bins overflow across Houston, city officials now say the collection delays won’t be resolved anytime soon.
After KHOU 11 first reported on missed recycling pickups, the delays have spread across nearly every corner of the city.
In Montrose, residents say they’ve been waiting for weeks. After speaking to us last week, Kyle Lakoff said his neighborhood’s bins still haven’t been emptied.
“I don’t know what’s going on with the city, I don’t really track any of that stuff, I just know the recycling’s still out here,” Lakoff said.
In Willowbend, neighbors report waiting four days with no results. In Lynn Park, recycling was finally collected Monday after more than a week. A glance at the city’s 311 service map shows clusters of similar complaints citywide.
More than 66% of the 311 complaints filed Monday were directed to Solid Waste Management, regarding recycling.
What’s causing the delays?
Last week, Houston councilman Joaquin Martinez pointed to a combination of factors, including mechanical problems and a recent holiday.
“We had about 13 of our heavy truck vehicles that were down,” he said.
But the issue appears to go deeper than just equipment failure.
In an interview with KHOU 11’s Len Cannon, Mayor John Whitmire acknowledged deeper problems within the department including leadership changes.
“We had to replace the director,” Whitmire said. “They had an old model brought forward from the previous administration that wasn’t working.”
The mayor said Houston’s new Solid Waste Management director was appointed two months ago, and while efforts to restore service and accountability are underway, the delays may persist for months.
When asked how long it would take to rectify the delays, he replied “this fall.”
“We’re talking to council member now, what do they want to do?,” he said “What will it take to improve the recycling schedule?”
As of now, the city’s solid waste website reports recycling collection is seven days behind schedule.
In a statement to KHOU 11 the Solid Waste Management Department said “the mayor has full confidence in Interim Director Larius Hassen to evaluate all options and lead efforts to build a more reliable and efficient service model.”
The statement goes on to reference equipment as part of the reason for the delays.
“A significant factor contributing to delays is the aging fleet, 46 collection trucks are currently inoperable due to wear and tear. To address this, Mayor Whitmire and City Council recently approved the purchase of 34 new trucks, which will substantially improve service quality in the coming months,” the statement reads.