\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s $137 million a year,\u201d Macchi said, describing the figure as a starting point as the city tries to \u201ccatch up really quickly on a number of problems.\u201d He said he believes the number will be lower \u201conce you bring in efficiencies.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Burns & McDonnell cost-of-service and enterprise fund study prepared for the city and dated May 4, 2026, projects a potential total monthly solid waste cost of $27.28 per household, according to the study\u2019s summary materials. The study describes that total as a $24.72 residential solid waste fee plus a $2.56 Clean City fee.<\/p>\n
The study also lays out why city officials say additional revenue is needed. It says the Solid Waste Management Department has expanded beyond core garbage and recycling pickup over time, and that maintenance and infrastructure improvements \u201chave been deferred for decades.\u201d <\/p>\n
The study projects annual costs for SWMD services at more than $160 million in fiscal year 2026 and $235 million in FY 2030, not including certain variable costs such as additional cleanup needed after significant storms.<\/p>\n
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Ken Gantt lives in Garden Oaks and has had enough of his trash not being picked up. He spoke to Reporter Joel Eisenbaum about it for our story (KPRC 2026)<\/p>\n
\u2018We really just want the trash to be picked up\u2019<\/p>\n
For residents, the debate over rates and long-term planning often comes down to a simple expectation: consistent pickup.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve told the city to come out and pick up this trash,\u201d one resident said in an interview clip included in the broadcast script.<\/p>\n
Another added: \u201cWe really just want the trash to be picked up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ken Gantt said he called the city 11 times last year after his garbage was not picked up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey do it every once in a while,\u201d Gantt said. \u201cBut I keep telling them \u2026 there\u2019s a house by itself on Shepherd.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ENOUGH team brought Gantt\u2019s missed pick-ups issue to the City of Houston.<\/p>\n
Macchi said that the issue appeared to be with Houston Solid Waste\u2019s truck routing in Gantt\u2019s neighborhood, which appeared to skip his home because of it\u2019s location away from other houses on the route.<\/p>\n
Macchi said that problem has since since been corrected and provided photos of the garbage pickup at Gantt\u2019s home. <\/p>\n
The Burns & McDonnell study includes performance-related benchmarks that echo the frustration residents describe. The study says the department \u201ccurrently averages collection rates of 85% for residential garbage\u201d and 65% for recycling and heavy trash. It says meeting an \u201cindustry-standard 99% collection rate across all services\u201d would require additional vehicles and staff to run 114 additional weekly routes.<\/p>\n
The study also points to equipment challenges, saying 34% of the solid waste fleet is 7 years old and older and describing an industry best practice of replacing collection vehicles every seven years.<\/p>\n
What the fee can \u2014 and can\u2019t \u2014 do<\/p>\n
Macchi said the $5 fee is a step toward building a more sustainable funding model, but he emphasized it will not cover the full cost of the operation. He also said the city conducted the Burns & McDonnell rate study to better understand what solid waste services actually cost and what a longer-term system could require.<\/p>\n
Macchi said the city will also explore additional revenue opportunities beyond individual homeowners.<\/p>\n