Women In Community Service Inc.

February 2003 Burdens of Heavy Trash

Dec 15, 2003

The heavy trash issue is one that ?‘recycles?’ itself continuously. One of the largest and most costly expenses that straps a city is the cost of disposing of the tons and tons of trash and waste that is accumulated by thousands of it?’s citizens every day of every year. Compounding that burden is the documented fact that thousands more pounds of trash are illegally brought into the city and illegally dumped on streets and easements, ally ways and dead ends, by irresponsible private citizens and contractors/businesses who may have property in other areas, but want the city to bear the cost of waste that should have been disposed of privately.

What does this mean for the average resident? It means tardy pick-ups and extended waits for the heavy equipment to be available. It means having to look at someone else?’s huge pile of debris dumped on the easement in front of a vacant lot, which happens to be out of their sight, but right in front of your home. It lies there for weeks while you have to stare at a blighted landscape, courtesy of an absent landowner. It means frustration by those who are diligent in following the rules and will move large piles due to projects around their homes, twice. The first time is to keep it secure and out of sight from the neighbors and the second time to put it on the curb at the appropriate time, as clearly outlined in the City of Houston ordinance.

As the hulking piles sit and seem to spread roots and grow, they encourage other Lazy Irresponsibles to add to the pile or go home and start a new one. For those who may have moved in to the community from somewhere where there are no rules or ordinances about the placement of trash (some rural part of the county) I can see that a person might take his cues from what he sees in the community and do the same. But, for those who have lived here for years and received the numerous mailings from the city regarding the dates and times of trash placement, there is no excuse.

The piles of rotting trash signal to others a perceived attitude of the neighborhood. It repels good, law-abiding, clean neighbors and invites trashy ones. It becomes the responsibility of those of us who have a stake in this community to take the time and trouble to address this issue every time we see it. Unfortunately, that is at least once a week. We all have the numbers to call and most of us still have the brochures that we?’ve received from the city. The latest ones were mailed out to us when we were set up with the new automated cans. Then came the next notice about buying the stamps for the extra bags. If you need this information again, you may contact the WICS office or simply return to the WICS Home Page and click on the Hot Link for the City of Houston. Every number that you will ever need is on the City?’s web site.

When you call, remember to get the name of the person that you speak to. Give them the address of the trash pile, how long it has been there, if possible ?– who left it there, how many times it has been passed up for pick-up, find out when it will be picked up or why it won?’t be picked up. Ask for a supervisor to come out and inspect the problem if you can?’t seem to get a good answer from the first person. If you are told that it will be picked up, get a date. Let that person know that you will be glad to call back and report personally to them if it doesn?’t get picked up as promised.

Most City officials have an email address posted. Don?’t be afraid to write them a clear and direct, yet courteous note explaining the problem and what is or is not being done to remedy it. It is also helpful to CC the email to all Council Members at Large, the Mayors office and the Director of Solid Waste.

Remember, this is your neighborhood, your health and safety, your property values - don?’t be intimidated by irresponsible, trashy people or someone who won?’t do their job. The problems come from various places - the dumpers, some contractors who will find excuses not to pick up per their contracts, city call takers or other workers who won?’t do their jobs ?– and you and I when we shut our blinds and pretend it doesn?’t bother us. Quality of life is important on both sides of our front doors.

If you would like a brochure on the rules and regulations for trash placement , call or email the WICS office, we will mail you one. WICS