The mission of the Department of Solid Waste Management is to provide solid waste services to the citizens of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective. This department provides garbage collection service to more than 387,000 residential units and small commercial establishments. Today, 1.84 million people occupy this city of about 600 square miles, which equates to 360,000 acres. Basic residential garbage collection service is provided one day per week.
Heavy trash is collected once per month.
Each year this department collects more than 550,000 tons of solid waste. Each collection day, the department collects and disposes of more than 2,500 tons of refuse at area transfer stations and landfills. The department also collects approximately 60,000 tons of recyclables each year. The Department of Solid Waste Management is committed to providing recycling opportunities to all Houstonians. Curbside recycling, which is provided to more than 140,000 homes, continues to be the most popular recycling program.