HOUSTON AWARDS CONTRACT FOR GREEN MATERIAL RECYCLING SERVICES

publication date: Jun 17, 2008

The Houston City Council has approved an ordinance awarding a contract to Living Earth Technology Company on its bid for green material recycling services for the city’s solid waste management department.

Under this contract, the City of Houston will deliver green material — tree limbs, branches, stumps and yard trimmings — to Living Earth locations, where it will be processed into environmentally beneficial mulch and compost.

Solid waste management department director Harry J. Hayes said that during a six-month pilot program, run by Living Earth, the city saved $131,200 in tax dollars by avoiding landfill disposal costs. “We are extremely pleased at the results of the pilot program and we thank the residents in the pilot area for helping us develop a successful tree waste recycling system that can be expanded to all of Houston." Living Earth donated the disposal costs for the pilot program with the city.

Mayor Bill White stated, "By passing this tree waste removal ordinance, a monumental decision has been made to preserve our natural resources and save tax dollars by diverting materials from area landfills. I am encouraged by the strong support we continue to receive from Houstonians who want to do more for the environment." White added, "As a result we will begin a Tree Waste Recycling Program citywide, which will help us divert at least 20 percent from area landfills. This is one of the green efforts we will pursue to ensure we leave our children and grandchildren a clean, healthy place to live."

Mark Rose, president of Living Earth, remarked, "Green material is a large portion of the municipal waste stream in Houston. More and more people understand that recycling this material makes good environmental and economical sense. By diverting and recycling tree trimmings and brush, communities like Houston can save landfill space, reduce green house gas emissions and save money while returning the material to environmentally friendly uses. Compost and mulch promote vegetative growth, re-introduce valuable nutrients into the soil, reduce erosion and promote water retention. We look forward to working closely with the solid waste management department to help grow the program."