HOUSTON, TX – Mayor John Whitmire and the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) announced the expansion of the city’s waste collection fleet with the deployment of 25 new vehicles.
The announcement was made during a morning news conference, where Mayor Whitmire was joined by District I Council Member Joaquin Martinez. The additions include 16 recycling side loaders, one grappler, three rear loaders, and five tractor trailers.
According to Mayor Whitmire, the investment in modern equipment is part of a larger initiative to deploy 50 new solid waste vehicles by the end of October. “Reliable service starts with reliable equipment,” Whitmire stated. “We’re investing in tools that help our employees do their jobs safely and efficiently while ensuring Houstonians get the consistent service they deserve.”
SWMD Director Larius Hassen added, “These new trucks represent real progress in how we serve our residents. Every vehicle we add strengthens our operations, supports our crews, and moves us closer to on-time collection.”
The newly delivered trucks were left in their original factory color, saving the city approximately $3,000 per vehicle. They were immediately placed into service following the announcement.
Mayor Whitmire also noted that the City is collaborating with outside contractors to assist with heavy trash collection and will be conducting citywide cleanup sweeps.
