Published: September 14, 2008 07:36 pm      

Waste Management works to begin trash collection

Houston, TX - September 14, 2008 – Waste Management is working aggressively in its efforts to begin collection of household garbage following the devastation resulting from Hurricane Ike.







According to Lisa Doughty, spokesperson for Waste Management, the company is working around the clock to return collection trucks to neighborhoods and streets that can be navigated safely. “Waste Management implemented its standard hurricane response plan as soon as this storm became a threat to this area. Our employees evacuated safely and our equipment was staged in a designated location, allowing us to begin restoration efforts as soon as the storm passed. We will restart curbside garbage and trash collection immediately on the streets that are passable. We will expand our routes to additional areas as more streets become clear of debris and other hazards,” said Lisa Doughty.







Enormous volumes of household garbage resulting from this major storm must be disposed of safely and efficiently. Residents need to be informed of the distinction between the household garbage that Waste Management will collect and storm-related debris, which is being collected by FEMA or other contractors.





“Waste Management is collecting household garbage, such as food refuse, diapers, newspapers and other waste produced during the week, according to the agreements with the parishes and municipalities we serve. Waste Management is not collecting storm debris, which includes rugs, furniture, sheet rock, wood fencing, tree limbs, bags of clothing, refrigerators, household appliances and roofing materials. Counties, Cities and municipalities are coordinating the collection of storm debris independently from Waste Management with other contractors, such as those contracted through FEMA,” said Lisa Doughty





Following is an update of the company’s operational status in the areas of Southeast Texas where Waste Management is performing collection services.







OPERATIONAL UPDATE – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15:



Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Fort Bend, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Matagorda, Orange, Newton, Wharton, Walker, and Victoria Counties:





All WM operations will resume Monday with the exception of Southeast Houston and Beaumont areas, which were among the areas hardest hit areas. Many of our employees have evacuated and are unable to return to work. The company is bringing in workers from other parts of the country to assist in



getting our operations back to full force. We will resume service in these areas as soon as possible.







In all areas, priority customers, like hospitals, will be served first. Please be patient as road conditions and downed power lines in some areas may impact our ability to safely serve all customers. If you do not get your regularly scheduled service, we will be working hard to get to you by later in the week. Your patience is appreciated.







Operating hours for the following landfills is from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.:







Atascocita



Addicks Fairbanks



Baytown



Cougar



Coastal Plains



Conroe 7 (Opens Tuesday)



Greenshadows



Hawthorne Park



Newton County



Security





CONSUMER INFORMATION – SEPARATING HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE AND STORM DEBRIS



As families return to the areas affected by Hurricane Ike, Waste Management strongly recommends that all residential customers separate their household garbage, such as food, diapers and regular household waste, from debris created by the storms and their aftermath. We ask that customers bag their household garbage and place it at the curb. Storm debris, including refrigerators, household appliances, bags of clothing, tree limbs, carpet and carpet padding, and wood fencing, should be placed in a separate pile or piles.





Separating household waste from storm debris will allow Waste Management employees to collect your household garbage more quickly and safely, helping prevent foul odors and safety hazards that would be created by mixing your household garbage with storm debris. The separation is also necessary to allow Waste Management to collect household waste and to permit others to collect storm debris in accordance with arrangements made by counties and municipalities with contractors independent from Waste Management.