New Solid Waste Changes to Take Effect March 1

Bellaire residents and the city’s commercial customers will see changes to the solid waste ordinance starting March 1.

An extensive evaluation of the city’s solid waste/recycling collection services was undertaken in 2011 to ensure that the cost of solid waste/recycling collection could be maintained at a reasonable level for all residents. Council approved changes to the ordinance in December.

Collection days and frequency of pick up will remain the same. The city will not increase the cost of either the solid waste charge of $17.17 plus tax or the recycling charge of $2.50 plus tax at this time.

Garbage must be set out for collection by 7 a.m. and bags must not weigh more than 25 pounds each.

The city will not accept cardboard or aluminum cans in trash collection. These items need to be included with recycling for curbside pickup on Wednesdays.

There will no longer be an opt-out provision for the city’s curbside recycling program for residents over 65 or the disabled. Residents that have previously opted-out of the curbside recycling program will begin to incur the $2.50 fee per month plus tax for this city wide service, which will appear on the March billing.

For every bag over the four permitted bags per designated pick up day the city will require residents to purchase a sticker for $1 for each additional bag over the four allotted bags. These stickers can be purchased at city hall at 7008 S. Rice Avenue between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday – Friday in the Utility Billing Department located upstairs at city hall.

The city will no longer provide solid waste service to the commercial sector.

To read the ordinance in its entirety, visit www.ci.bellaire.tx.us/solidwaste.

For more information, call 713-662-8150.