HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A new method for collecting heavy trash is coming to the City of Houston. Instead of scheduled collection days, Solid Waste said residents would call 311 to request heavy trash collection.
This comes as the department has dealt with pickup delays and staffing shortages. Solid Waste said they plan to tentatively start this new process on March 2.
The department said the previous system was not sustainable at the citywide scale, prompting this change.
Solid Waste Director Larius Hassen said crews were driving every street, regardless of whether trash was set out, which contributed to delays and backlogs.
“We’re riding streets that have no heavy trash on them, and we’re spending weeks there,” Hassen said.
With the new system, Hassen said residents would request heavy trash collection themselves by calling 311 to schedule pickup. Solid Waste would then call or email the resident with an appointment.
The department said collection would be completed within five working days of the scheduled date, and customer service would verify completion with photos and notify the resident.
Hassen said he believes this will help address service delays and reallocate resources where they are needed.
“This program allows us to at least get data to show that once we sit down, going after the work orders, what we can produce,” Hassen said. “I can actually get some data on what actually is needed to staff it appropriately.”
Hassen said each address may request up to four collections per calendar year.
Until they tentatively begin this new process on March 2, Hassen expects things to remain as they are with the normal schedule.
For more news updates, follow Sarah Al-Shaikh on Facebook and Instagram.
Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.