Houston Public Works staff reiterate curbside yard-waste rules

Darren, a Public Works staff member with the City of Houston, told residents that crews accept paper yard-waste bags and rigid containers of 32 gallons or less but will not collect dirt-filled or oversized barrels.

The guidance matters because improper placement or overweight containers can cause missed collections and litter. Darren advised residents to place yard waste out the evening before their scheduled pick-up day to reduce wind- or rain-related spillage and to prevent paper bags from becoming soggy and tearing.

“We have a don't. This is a 32 gallon barrel, but we don't like to take dirt because it's very heavy,” Darren said, describing a barrel the crew would tag as overweight. He said crews also will not collect containers larger than 32 gallons for yard waste. He advised that branches should be no longer than 6 feet and suggested a maximum diameter of about 12 inches for bundled limbs; the staff member said oversized or overweight items will receive a noncollection tag.

Darren recommended using paper yard-waste bags and keeping materials within the stated limits to make collection easier and reduce littering from wind or rain. He noted the pickup schedule runs Monday through Friday and asked residents to check their route day; “if your route is on your pickup day is on Wednesday, we would prefer you put it out, you know, Tuesday, Tuesday night,” he said.

The remarks were informational guidance from Public Works staff, not a formal policy change or vote. A printed handout with the rules and a tag used for oversized or overweight items was shown; Darren encouraged residents with questions to refer to that handout. Another staff member, Todd, joined Darren in thanking residents for following the rules.