Houston quietly ended a recycling program for businesses late last year, leaving organizations that chose to recycle with one less way to do so in a city that already recycles less of its waste than other major Texas cities.
Some of the several hundred organizations that relied on the program only learned the initiative had ended this summer when city crews abruptly took their green bins away – even as Mayor John Whitmire proposed a new $5 monthly trash fee that officials say will stabilize the long-troubled Solid Waste Management Department and improve trash and recycling pickup and other services.
City officials did not commit to bringing back recycling service for businesses, some of which have turned to more expensive private service, shared dumpsters with neighbors or asked employees to haul recyclables home themselves…