Solid Waste Management Department

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

City of Houston 

 
Mark Wilfalk, Director
Solid Waste Management Dept.
Sylvester Turner, Mayor
City of Houston
   

Solid Waste Management Department Enters
into a Three-Year Supplemental Contract to
Combat Illegal Dumping in Houston Neighborhoods

Houston, Texas – Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Houston City Council approved a three-year, $8M contract with DRC Emergency Services today to protect Houston neighborhoods and combat illegal dumping throughout the city.

The contract will provide supplemental services to the Solid Waste Management Department to aid in the removal of heavy trash, junk waste and bulky waste from the curb on EVEN months. “The addition of this supplemental service enhances the reliability of our residential collections and minimizes delays and lapses in service.” said Solid Waste Director Mark Wilfalk.

Each month, SWMD cleans between 230 to over 400 illegal dumping sites throughout the city, for a total of over 3,600 sites annually. Many of the sites are repeatedly targeted by individuals or companies responsible for illegal dumping and must be cleaned multiple times at a cost to taxpayers. Illegal dumping also threatens the health and safety of neighborhoods and is costly to remove.

“The city of Houston spends millions of dollars each year to clean up illegal dumping, and it’s important to people to do their part. If they see illegal dumping happening, we want people to report it. If you’re engaging in illegal dumping, you need to stop, or you will be caught and fined. I want everyone to have pride in our city, and reducing illegal dumping is a big step,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.

ABOUT HOUSTON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

The Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) provides solid waste services to the citizens of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective.

For more information about SWMD and our services, visit us at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, “LIKE” us on Facebook at @houstonsolidwaste, follow us on Twitter @HoustonTrash. Download our app HTX Collects on Google Play or IOS Store to Never Miss an Update again!, Call 3-1-1, the City of Houston’s Customer Service Helpline.