SWEEP AND BAG

City Urges Residents To Bag Light Storm Debris

Beginning Monday, September 29, 2008, the Yard Waste Schedule was modified for the department to "sweep" geographic areas. The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) has dedicated its Yard Trimmings and Curbside Recycling crews to pick up the bagged vegetative storm debris and put it into rearloader trucks. The modified yard waste schedule is as follows:

            MONDAYS- Southwest Quadrant Area                     

            TUESDAYS- Northwest Quadrant Area

            WEDNESDAYS- areas not completed on Monday and Tuesday

            THURSDAYS- Northeast Quadrant Area
            FRIDAYS- Southeast Quadrant Area
            SATURDAYS-Far Northeast Quadrant

The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department urges Houston residents to place their small twigs, leaves and other light loose yard waste in a bag and place it on the curb of a City street. "By bagging the yard trimmings and light storm debris, our heavy trash crews can concentrate on getting the difficult, bulky items. This will help expedite the overall storm debris cleanup process," said Harry J. Hayes, Solid Waste Management Department Director. "It will also help reduce the loose debris which may clog ditches and storm sewers/drains," added Hayes.

Be sure to separate woody waste (tree debris) from other materials, such as fences, building debris, furniture, etc.  These materials are treated differently and deposited in separate landfills.  Failure to separate will significantly slow the process.