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Houston Too Ornery to Recycle

'Independent streak,' cheap landfills have reuse rate at 2.6%, worst among US cities

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2008 1:36 PM CDT

(Newser) – While other Texas cities are working hard to separate their garbage, Houston still considers recycling to be sissy stuff, earning the oil town the worst recycling rate of 30 top US cities. Houston recycles just 2.6% of its trash, the New York Times reports, while San Francisco is at 69%, and New York 34%, by comparison. Environmental advocates are begging for reforms, but area landfills are so cheap there’s little enthusiasm for change.

The city says it cannot even afford recycling bins for the 25,000 residents who've requested them, and in the sprawling, zoning-free city, sending trucks to pick up scattered bins isn’t cost effective. Mayor Bill White favors recycling reform, but knows it’s a tough sell. “We have an independent streak,” he says, “that rebels against mandates or anything that seems trendy or hyped up.”

Paper, and most other recycleables, get tossed in Houston. (Shutterstock)

Trash doesn't get recycled very often in Houston. (Shutterstock)

Landfill space is cheap around Houston, so it is getting filled up. (Shutterstock)

"There are cultures that just don't get it, and, unfortunately, Houston is one of them," a local chef says of the city's reluctance to recycle. (Getty Images)

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Houston Too Ornery to Recycle

'Independent streak,' cheap landfills have reuse rate at 2.6%, worst among US cities

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'Squatter' Who Claimed McMansion Gets the Boot

Texan's 'adverse possession' argument rejected

Mountain Lion Attacks Boy

6-year-old Texas boy survives attack in national park

Perry Campaign Security Cost Texas Taxpayers $800K

Home state paid for food and lodging for bodyguards

Perry's Approval Rating Plummets in His Own State

After failed presidential bid, Texas governor's popularity plunges

Supreme Court Axes Texas Electoral Map

They say judge strayed too far from legislature's vision

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Houston Too Ornery to Recycle

'Independent streak,' cheap landfills have reuse rate at 2.6%, worst among US cities

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

recycling • Texas • garbage • Houston

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

'Squatter' Who Claimed McMansion Gets the Boot

Texan's 'adverse possession' argument rejected

Mountain Lion Attacks Boy

6-year-old Texas boy survives attack in national park

Perry Campaign Security Cost Texas Taxpayers $800K

Home state paid for food and lodging for bodyguards

Perry's Approval Rating Plummets in His Own State

After failed presidential bid, Texas governor's popularity plunges

Supreme Court Axes Texas Electoral Map

They say judge strayed too far from legislature's vision

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?