Angela Jackson, a resident of East Houston, highlighted the growing trash issue on March 15, 2025, as she drove down North Green River Drive, documenting the overwhelming stench emanating from nearby garbage. The McCarty Road Landfill, one of Houston’s largest waste operations, contributes significantly to the city’s trash problem. Residents like Jackson have complained for years about illegal dumping and landfill odors affecting predominantly Black and Brown communities in Houston.
Houston, the fourth-largest city in the United States, is projected to generate 5.4 million tons of waste annually by 2040, an increase of over 1 million tons from 2020. The city’s five municipal landfills, including McCarty, are nearing capacity, forcing officials to consider sustainable solutions. A 2021 independent report advised the city to start searching for new landfill space immediately, but five years later, Houston remains in the planning phase.
Privately-owned landfills in Harris County contribute 78% of methane emissions in 2023, a major climate change contributor. Composting could reduce landfill waste by 50%, yet the Houston Waste Management Department lacks funding for innovative methods. A proposed fee for trash collection, which the city must approve, remains unaddressed. The Mayor’s Office and city waste management officials have declined interviews regarding the situation.
Houston’s municipal waste primarily relies on three contracted landfills, with additional type IV landfills and transfer stations. However, municipal waste landfills, or type I landfills, are the most polluting. Without expansion, these landfills may reach full capacity earlier than anticipated. The City of Houston hired consultants in 2018 to evaluate waste management, recommending immediate action to secure new landfill sites.
Environmental justice concerns persist as waste operations disproportionately impact communities of color. Historical data indicates landfills and incinerators were predominantly placed in Black neighborhoods. Despite legal challenges and changed demographics, neighborhoods near landfills continue to be less white. The absence of zoning in Houston and lack of city ordinances for landfill placement compound these issues.
Angela Jackson frequently reports illegal dumping in her neighborhood, attributing it to the landfill and inadequate trash pickup. The district council member’s office, led by Tarsha Jackson, addresses illegal dumping with limited resources. A federal investigation into alleged discriminatory practices found no wrongdoing, yet Houston agreed to a $17.8 million cleanup plan over three years.
The City of Houston contracts with Republic Services and Waste Management for waste operations, but the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulates pollution. As landfill capacity diminishes, the city considers alternatives like waste-to-energy plants, though progress is slow. Wilfalk, former Director of Solid Waste Management, notes the complexity of waste management and the need for careful planning.
In the 1970s, a landfill controversy in East Houston spurred a national discussion about environmental justice. Today, Harris County’s waste operations remain concentrated in communities of color, reflecting historical patterns. Edwin LaMair, senior attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund, notes the health risks from landfill emissions, which include methane, carbon dioxide, and other pollutants.
Houston faces a challenging waste management future, needing to address current trash issues while planning for long-term solutions. City officials emphasize the importance of evaluating landfill sites with consideration for impacted communities. As population growth continues, Houston must find ways to balance landfill reliance with sustainable practices.
