HAA Blog

Because of the city budget’s fiscal constraints, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City Council have refused to renew a single-family recycling contract with Waste Management that bears drastically higher fees than the deal that expires next week. In turn, Waste Management rejected the mayor’s attempt to be financially responsible through a one-year deal and a one-year renewal, as opposed to the four-year deal.

Translation: Come next Thursday, March 16, Houston will be without a recycling contract.

“I support recycling but we have to do what is consistent with the financial status and in such a way that is a win, win for this city,” the mayor said.

To the citizens of Houston, it seems like there has been a lot of back and forth banter between the mayor and the council and the mayor and Waste Management. Two weeks ago, the expiring contract was on the agenda to be renewed, which the council didn’t seem to be aware of causing frustration towards the mayor. Considering the financial condition of Houston, the mayor tagged the item to next week to come up with a plan in the mean time. Last week however, the item was tagged again to Wednesday.

While all of this tagging was going on, the mayor and Waste Management were negotiating through an e-mail thread, and it appears that neither party can come to an agreement. Therefore, we’re stuck in recycling limbo.

With commodities prices plunging, Waste Management has been renegotiating contracts with cities all over the U.S. – not just with Houston. With the city facing a projected $126 million budget deficit that must be closed by July, it’s the cost that has paused the mayor and the council. It’s just a coincidental tragedy that both parties are facing financial problems.

“Everyone supports you in this horseshoe. We need to start emphasizing competitive bidding, “ Councilman Greg Travis said to Mayor Turner, “We are all pro-recycling.”

The council was blatantly appreciative of the mayor for challenging Waste Management, instead of taking the easy road and renewing thus forcing a financial burden on the city and its taxpayers.

"I anticipate recycling continuing," Mayor Turner said. "We may, instead of it being like twice a month, it may have to be once a month for right now, but we are certainly talking to a number of other players out here in the marketplace. We're going to try to avoid any lapse, or any long-term lapses."

“We are looking at all options and encouraging all players to come forth. We are not tied to anyone,” he said.

The mayor plans to announce Monday his plan for the recycling program.  We may see other recycling companies become involved.

Councilman Mike Knox urges citizens that this contract pertains to the services of recycling (such as, curbside pickup) and that the other areas of recycling will not be affected.

-- Morgan Taylor

Writer/Editor

mtaylor@haaonline.org