HOUSTON, Texas — The City of Houston launched a fleet of nine new recycling trucks early Monday in an effort to reduce ongoing delays in curbside collection services.
The rollout took place at the Solid Waste Management Northeast Service Center around 6 a.m., with Mayor John Whitmire present to oversee the deployment and assess the trucks’ operational readiness.
The new vehicles are part of a broader initiative to improve recycling efficiency and address chronic service gaps that have plagued the city for more than six years. Issues including missed pickups, extended wait times, and equipment breakdowns have affected thousands of residents.
According to Interim Solid Waste Director Larius Hassen, the city currently has 46 recycling trucks out of service. Contributing factors include an aging fleet, staffing shortages, rodent damage to trucks, and facility infrastructure issues such as sewage backups. City officials say the new trucks will help reduce breakdowns, improve collection speed, and enhance worker safety.
The City Council previously approved over $12.4 million to purchase additional garbage and recycling trucks. Of the 43 trucks authorized, nine have now been delivered and deployed, and 34 more are expected within the next six to eight months.
While the new fleet is expected to ease the burden on the city’s waste management system, officials caution that it will not immediately resolve all problems. Hassen and Whitmire acknowledged that many of the challenges predate their appointments and said they remain committed to long-term improvements.
Residents continue to raise concerns about the timeline for restoring full recycling, yard waste, and debris collection services. Officials say progress updates will be provided regularly and can be followed on the KPRC 2+ Stream.
In addition to upgrading its fleet, the Solid Waste Management Department is partnering with companies like ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell to strengthen the city’s recycling infrastructure and expand its capacity.
The deployment of the new trucks represents a significant step in Houston’s efforts to stabilize and modernize its waste management services, with officials pledging continued work toward reliable and efficient service delivery citywide.
