NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Houston 

Mark Wilfalk, Director
Solid Waste Management Dept.

John Whitmire, Mayor
City of Houston

Solid Waste Management Announces
10-Day Notice to Prepare Curbside Storm
Debris for Second Pass Collection

HOUSTON – August 15, 2024: After collecting more than 2.1 million cubic yards of storm debris generated by Hurricane Beryl, the City of Houston’s Department of Solid Waste Management (SWMD) expects to conclude the first pass of collections on Saturday, August 31.

In preparation for the next phase of debris collections, SWMD requests residents to place all remaining storm debris at the curbside no later than Sunday, August 25. The department will begin the second pass in earnest on Monday, September 2.

On July 8, Hurricane Beryl swept through the city, which generated an estimated 4 million cubic yards of storm debris — enough to fill NRG Stadium. The storm came on the heels of the May 16 Derecho storm debris cleanup effort, already underway. The first pass of Derecho storm debris collection had concluded just before the Independence Day holiday weekend; and the second pass was scheduled to begin in earnest on July 8. Before Hurricane Beryl, the city had collected more than 1.7 million cubic yards of storm debris.

Unlike during the Derecho storm debris cleanup, which primarily impacted northern Houston, residents do not need to report their storm debris to 3-1-1. Storm debris contractors will drive down every street and collect storm debris piles in all public rights of way.

SWMD encourages Houstonians to view the storm debris collection progress tracker at bit.ly/HTXStorm, which the department has updated to reflect specific collection progress in neighborhoods.

SWMD urges residents to continue to separate storm debris from bulk waste, and demolition and construction debris at the curbside. Contaminated debris piles might delay collection until the next bulk waste month. Please ensure that tree trunks are 3 feet or less in diameter and 3 feet or less in length and tree branches are 6 feet or less in length. In addition, debris piles must be within 10 feet onto private property lines as crews cannot encroach beyond that limit.

The department appreciates the community’s patience and understanding while we work to complete this massive operation.

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ABOUT HOUSTON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

The Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) provides the city with integrated municipal waste management services designed to support environmental health, sustainability, and economic development in all communities throughout Houston.

For more information about SWMD and our services, visit us at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, “LIKE” us on Facebook at @houstonsolidwaste, follow us on X @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.