Houston Uses $1.2M Disaster Funds for Urgent Heavy Trash Cleanup

Addressing Heavy Trash Backlog

• 🗑️ Mayor John Whitmire acknowledges the unacceptable buildup of heavy trash across Houston streets.
• 💡 The city is implementing a new solution by hiring an outside contractor to help clear the backlog.

Funding and Contractor

• 💰 The cleanup effort is being funded by $1.2 million in leftover disaster funds, specifically from Hurricane Harvey.
• 🤝 The city has contracted Ashbritt, a company previously used for debris pickup after hurricanes.
• 🛠️ Crews have already begun work on the southwest side of the city.

Preventing Future Delays

• ⚠️ To avoid future problems, the mayor emphasizes the need for cooperation from Houston residents.
• 📚 Residents need to understand what constitutes heavy trash versus commercial waste.
• 🚫 Items like fencing material, large amounts of building materials (drywall, doors), and entire housefuls of furniture are considered commercial trash and not intended for heavy trash pickup.
• 🚚 The city is not equipped to handle large-scale moving operations or disposal of entire household contents.