Separating Your Debris & Frequently Asked Questions on Debris

FAQs for Debris Placement & Collection

1. My home was damaged or received water during the recent flooding and storms. What steps should I take to handle the damages and the debris?
   1. First, you should contact your insurance company to file a claim.
   2. You should also document your property damage(s) by taking photographs.
   3. You should contact the Houston 311 customer center to notify the city of your damage(s). This will help identify your address and area as needing debris collection service.
2. Is there a particular manner that my debris should be placed at the curb?
   1. Yes, debris should be segregated as follows and placed away from any obstruction/impediments (mailboxes, fire hydrants, water meters, etc.):
      1. Normal household trash goes in your black garbage container.  It will be collected by the City on your normal garbage service day.
      2. Vegetative Debris (Logs and Trees) should be place separately in a stacked pile. Limbs/trunks and branches should be cut to 36” lengths.
      3. Construction & Demolition Material should be place in its own pile.  This type of debris includes building materials, carpet/padding, furniture, treated lumber, mattresses, etc.
      4. White Goods (Appliances) should be placed separately and their doors secured with tape (to protect kids).  White goods include refrigerators, freezers, stoves, washers, dryers and water heaters.
      5. v. Electronics should be placed together. E-waste includes computers, stereos, televisions or other items with a cord.
      6. vi. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) should be placed together. HHW includes batteries, oils, lawn chemicals, pesticides and cleaning supplies.
   2. Further information and instruction for debris placement can be found at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, or the Solid Waste Management Department’s Facebook page.
3. My garbage/yard waste/Recycling was not collected due to the storm. When will the city return?
   1. Monday and Tuesday garbage that was not collected will occur on their regularly scheduled days next week beginning June 1.
   2. Missed yard waste will be collected on its regularly scheduled day next week beginning June 1.
   3. Missed recycling will be picked up on its next schedule recycling collection date.
4. Are Neighborhood Depositories sites available to me if I’d like to get rid of my own debris or uncollected recycling?
   1. Yes. Any Houston resident can use a Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center. Effective Monday, June 1, 2015, the depository sites will be open 7 days per week. A notice of the effective date of the extra days is forthcoming.
   2. Residents who use the depositories simply need to show an ID and utility bill for service.
5. Is there somewhere I can take my HHW if I don’t want to wait for City crews to come by for collection?
   1. Yes. Any City of Houston resident can take HHW to the City’s Environmental Service Center at 11500 South Post Oak. HHW can be dropped off every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The center also receives HHW on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Should there be a need; the hours may be increased to accommodate the demand for service.
6. When will the City begin debris collection operations?
   1. Collections will begin as soon as the City’s plans are accepted by the State Department of Emergency Management. Typically, debris operations begin after the receipt of a disaster declaration by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). A request for the disaster declaration has been made to FEMA by the Governor’s office.
7. My container floated away during the flood period. How do I get another one?
   1. Please contact 311 to report your lost container. The department will deliver a replacement within 5 – 7 business days.
8. I live in an apartment complex and was flooded. What should I do with my debris?
   1. As this is a commercial property, it is the responsibility of your owner/management company to make provisions for the collection and removal of debris.
9. My business flooded, what should I do?
   1. You should contact your insurance agent and file a claim for remediation. A part of your claim would include any debris demolition and removal.

Debris Separation

Separate debris into the six categories listed below.

Do Not Stack or Lean

Placing debris near or on trees, poles or other structures makes removal difficult. This includes fire hydrants and meters.

Unsure Where to Place Debris?

If you don’t have a sidewalk, ditch or utility line in front of your house, place debris at the edge of your property before the curb.

Unsure Where to Park Your Car?

Solid Waste Management is asking for the public’s cooperation in keeping cars away from garbage and debris so we can provide the safest and most efficient service possible.

No Pickup Zone

Any debris placed from the sidewalk toward your property will not be picked up.

DEBRIS SEPARATION

Normal Household Trash

Normal household trash and bagged debris of any kind will not be picked up with debris as part of this program. You should continue to follow your normal garbage removal schedule.

Vegetative Debris

• Leaves (do not put in bags)
• Logs
• Plants
• Tree branches

Construction & Demolition Debris

• Building materials
• Carpet
• Drywall
• Furniture
• Lumber
• Mattresses
• Plumbing

Appliances & White Goods

• Air conditioners
• Dishwashers
• Freezers
• Refrigerators
• Stoves
• Washers, dryers
• Water heaters

Electronics

• Computers
• Radios
• Stereos
• Televisions
• Other devices with a cord

Household Hazardous Waste

• Cleaning supplies
• Batteries
• Lawn chemicals
• Oils
• Oil-based paints and stains
• Pesticides