Mark Wilfalk, Director, Solid Waste Management Dept.
June 26, 2024 – Collection Update
Houston, TX – After successfully collecting over 1.55 million cubic yards of storm debris following the devastating Derecho storm on May 16, 2024, the City of Houston’s Department of Solid Waste Management (SWMD) is gearing up for the second and final pass of debris collection. This crucial phase will commence on July 8, 2024, and is expected to continue for 30 days.
The first pass of debris collection, which has seen a tremendous effort from the contractor crews working tirelessly seven days a week, is set to conclude on June 30. The break between the first and second pass will allow these crews some respite and give residents additional time to prepare their debris for collection.
Residents are urged to ensure proper separation of storm debris from bulk waste. Specific guidelines include:
- Tree trunks should be 2-3 feet in diameter and no more than 3 feet in length.
- Tree branches should be no more than 6 feet in length.
- Debris piles must be placed within 10 feet of private property lines to avoid encroachment.
The Derecho storm has left an estimated 1.8 million cubic yards of debris in its wake, with the city already having collected enough to fill half of NRG Stadium. In response, the City of Houston and SWMD engaged two debris collection contractors and a project monitor in May to handle the extensive cleanup.
In compliance with FEMA requirements, all collected storm debris is transported to one of four designated temporary collection sites for reduction. These sites were chosen by storm operations contractors and approved by both the City of Houston and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
The vegetative storm debris at these sites will be processed using woodchippers and grinders. Safety and environmental impact are top priorities, with onsite personnel watering the debris to prevent fires and control dust. Additionally, security measures will be in place during non-operating hours to safeguard the sites.
The City of Houston aims to conclude all storm debris operations within 90 days from the start date, weather permitting. This timeline includes the collection, reduction, cleanup, and restoration of the temporary sites to their original state.
To facilitate smooth operations, SWMD encourages residents in affected areas to report their debris removal needs by calling Houston 311, visiting the SWMD website at Houstonsolidwaste.org, or calling 3-1-1.
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