HOUSTON – Overflowing recycling bins have become a common sight in neighborhoods across Houston, as delays in pickup services stretch into weeks — and in some cases, nearly a month.
Residents, like those in the Spring Branch area, have taken to platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook to voice their frustrations, sharing photos and pleas for help as their recycling piles up.
“It’s been almost a month,” said Mark Capper, a Spring Branch homeowner. “We had a graduation party, stocked up on drinks, paper plates, and napkins. When the city didn’t pick up our recycling, the bin overflowed and we had to start piling things in the garage.”
Capper added that the accumulation of recyclables, particularly cardboard, can lead to pest issues. “Roaches love to hide and nest in cardboard. It’s a real concern,” he said.
Capper and his neighbors say their last recycling pickup was scheduled for May 31. Since then, their green recycling bins have remained full and untouched. While the City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management website cites a 7-day delay, residents say the situation on the ground tells a different story.
The City’s Solid Waste Management Department is navigating a recent leadership change. In response to inquiries, the City’s Solid Waste Management Department shared a statement acknowledging the issue. According to the department, 46 trucks in the city’s aging fleet are currently inoperable. A purchase of 34 new trucks has been approved, but officials say it could take six to eight months before those vehicles are operational.
To help bridge the gap, the department says it is working on establishing a reserve fleet — though no timeline has been provided for its rollout.
Residents say they’re not only frustrated — they feel let down.
“It infuriates me,” Capper said. “We pay taxes. This service is supposed to be provided from the general fund. I don’t get the option to skip paying taxes. I won’t be refunded. So, they need to give the services we pay for.”
