HOUSTON, Texas — Residents across Houston are experiencing prolonged delays in trash collection as the city’s waste management operations face mounting pressure due to equipment failures, staffing shortages, and illegal dumping.
In neighborhoods such as Melrose Park, residents report that heavy trash has remained uncollected for months. Frustrations are growing, with many residents claiming repeated attempts to contact city helplines have gone unanswered or unresolved.
The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department has acknowledged the issue, attributing delays primarily to an aging fleet of garbage trucks. Officials confirmed that while nine new trucks have been added to the fleet, frequent mechanical breakdowns continue to disrupt scheduled pickups.
To address the shortfall, the city has ordered 31 additional trucks. Deliveries are expected to begin by late October, with the entire fleet fully operational by early November.
Staffing shortages have further compounded the problem. A recent job fair hosted by the department drew over 70 applicants, and officials expect new hires to begin working in the coming weeks. Under new leadership, the department has launched initiatives aimed at improving service, including a “Can Blitz Initiative” to speed up the distribution of replacement trash containers and reduce the backlog of heavy trash pickups.
Illegal dumping has also diverted resources from scheduled collection routes. To reduce its impact, the city continues to operate six neighborhood depository and recycling centers, which are available to residents who provide a photo ID and proof of residency such as a utility bill or lease agreement.
Despite ongoing challenges, the city’s waste collection schedule remains unchanged. Tree waste is collected in January, March, May, July, September, and November, while junk waste is collected in the alternate months of February, April, June, August, October, and December.
City officials said they are working to resolve systemic issues within the department and are hopeful that recent measures will ease the burden on affected neighborhoods. The department’s focus remains on increasing operational efficiency and restoring timely service to residents across Houston.