On Wednesday, Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department updated its website to show heavy trash pickup is now delayed by three weeks.
HOUSTON — Heavy trash pickup in Houston is now three weeks behind schedule, according to an update made to the city’s Solid Waste Management Department website on Wednesday.
In some neighborhoods like south Houston’s Almeda Trace subdivision, residents said that piles of debris have been sitting on curbs for weeks. Old couches, mattresses and even bathtubs lined the streets when our KHOU 11 was there.
“It’s frustrating because we keep looking at it every day,” said resident Roland Pinkney. “My biggest concern is just the appearance of the community, also, it being a hazard for cars.”
The city has rolled out new tools to keep residents informed, including an interactive map meant to show when routes are completed. However, some residents believe the system is unreliable.
In Almeda Trace, for example, the map shows a completed collection route, even though it doesn’t appear to be the case.
The delays highlight ongoing challenges at Solid Waste Management. Earlier this summer, the city faced weeks of missed recycling pickups caused by a shortage of working trucks.
In August, Houston added nine new recycling trucks, and just last week launched a “can blitz” program to speed up delivery of new and replacement trash bins.
While city officials say those changes are helping, residents in Almeda Trace and across Houston are still waiting for their heavy trash to be hauled away.
“I’d definitely like for it to be taken care of as soon as possible and an explanation as to why and find out what the plan is to get it rectified,” Pinkney said.
The city’s Solid Waste Management Department did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.