Houston Sends 2.6M Pounds of Recyclables to Landfill

The city of Houston has sent at least 2.6 million pounds of recyclables to landfill so far this year, according to a KHOU 11 analysis of city records. Of the estimated 2.6 million pounds, 1.1 million pounds were dumped after March 1, when the city’s new materials recovery facility began processing recyclables.

According to the findings, at least 123 city trucks dumped 333 loads or partial loads of recyclables at a landfill or transfer station.

KHOU 11 has more information:

The City of Houston broke its own recycling rules more than 300 times this year and sent at least 2.6 million pounds of curbside recyclables to the landfill, according to a KHOU 11 analysis of city records.

The findings have one Houston city council member calling for the ouster of longtime Solid Waste Management Department Director Harry Hayes.

“You either terminate the leadership or you make changes,” said Brenda Stardig, District A council member who represents Spring Branch. “In my world, coming from the private sector, this would be a failed business at this point.”

Read the full story here.