Residents say they've been cited for trash not picked up due to city of Houston delays

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- ABC13 has documented the city of Houston's struggles to pick up bulk trash on time.

Now, some residents tell ABC13 they're getting cited for bulk trash piling up on their curb. People living on Burress St. and Highlawn St. in north Houston said they received green slips from Houston Solid Waste. The citation warned to remove the trash in 48 hours or face a fine ranging from $50 to $2,000.

Neighbors claimed it's been about a month and a half since Solid Waste picked up their bulk trash, which is why they said there are piles in front of homes. According to the city's Solid Waste site, bulk waste is picked up during odd numbered months which would have been August.

"When will they come and pick them up? I mean, it's been like more than a month," northside resident Norma Benitez said.

ABC13 spoke with three people off-camera who described receiving citations last week, and they said other neighbors got them as well.

A man showed a ticket he said he received for two ordinance violations having to do with trash being out before a scheduled time. He said he put it out in August.

According to Solid Waste, heavy trash waste collection is two weeks behind. Online data showed missed heavy trash pickup was the sixth highest 311 service request in the last month, with nearly 1,500 cases.

Some people said they have no way of removing the trash. Others claimed they had to pay someone to remove it, so they don't get fined by the city.

Benitez said she hasn't received a citation yet; however, she worries she might be next if the trash isn't picked up soon.

"I hope that I don't receive one," Benitez said.

ABC13 reached out to Solid Waste about the citations but we've yet to receive a response.