Houston 311, 2805 McKinney St., Houston, TX (2021)

11/05/2021

Veterans Day Celebration

Houston has the 2nd largest veteran population in the nation with over 250,000 veterans in residence. The City is proud to pay tribute to our men and women in the military by providing an annual “Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Celebration”. This civic celebration honors and celebrates the brave men, women, and families who have fought and sacrificed for our liberty and freedom.

The traditional Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 11 at 10 a.m. with acknowledgements and a distinguished keynote speaker recognizing our local heroes. At the 11th hour on the 11th day, there will be a Moment of Silence in memory of the 101st anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, which ended WWI.

The American Heroes Parade will begin at 11:30 A.M. at Dallas and Bagby, and proceeds east on Dallas, north on Louisiana, west on Walker, south on Smith, west on Lamar, ending on Lamar at Bagby. Local Veteran organizations, ROTC and Junior ROTCs, bands, and supporters will march in the parade to show respect and to honor our veterans. This parade is open to the public and are welcomed along the parade route.

11/03/2021

www.greenhoustontx.gov

City Partners With University Houston-Downtown for Houston Climate Week 2021

From November 15 - 19, 2021, the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability will host the second annual virtual Houston Climate Week. With the support of University of Houston-Downtown, the week-long virtual conference will update the public on the implementation of both Resilient Houston and Houston Climate Action Plan. The event will provide a platform for local experts to discuss critical policy concerns to aging infrastructure as well as issues of inequity.

"Working to fight the climate crisis is a hallmark of my administration. The City of Houston created Resilient Houston and the Houston Climate Action Plans to forge a path towards a stronger, more equitable city that not only faces and overcomes disasters, but builds forward to a better Houston tomorrow,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.

The virtual conference will host a series of one-hour panels each day addressing key components of the regional plans. Speakers include leaders from the City of Houston, the University of Houston-Downtown, University of Houston, elected officials, local government agencies, the energy industry, the healthcare field, local and national not-for-profit organizations, academia, and stakeholder groups.

“Houston Climate Week 2021 will provide a great opportunity for the community to learn about the regional efforts to drive the city’s plans for resilience and climate planning," said Priya Zachariah, City of Houston’s Chief Resilience and Sustainability Officer. "This is a chance for Houstonians to participate in the transformative work of the Houston Climate Action Plan so that we can collectively move toward a more resilient and equitable future.”

To reserve a ‘virtual seat’, guests are asked to pre-register for the free conference at https://bit.ly/3pN64j4.

Houston Climate Week’s official university partner is the University of Houston-Downtown. UHD faculty and students are among the panelists and moderators participating in the week’s events. The University also will host its own panel, presented on its downtown campus.

“The University of Houston-Downtown is delighted to be engaged in this event,” said UHD President Loren J. Blanchard. “Resiliency, sustainability, energy and transportation are topics that resonate with all Houstonians, including the students, faculty and staff members at UHD. Each day, we work to address these exact issues through research, scholarly activities, community engagement initiatives, and soon, the critical conversations taking place during Houston Climate Week. I look forward to further collaborations with city leadership that pave a road forward for a sustainable, equitable and stronger Houston.”

A tentative Houston Climate Week schedule is below. More events may be added. All sessions will be held in the afternoon at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., or 6 p.m. to make the conference more accessible to Houstonians of all ages.

Monday, November 15:
•Opening Session: Climate Change and Adaptation,
•Urban Heat
•Reforming Assistance Programs: Combining Home Repair and Weatherization to Address the Equity Gap

Tuesday, November 16:
•Houston Leaders Electrifying Our Transportation System
•Talking Trash: How to reduce landfill waste?

Wednesday, November 17:
•Energy 2.0: More Green Jobs and Economic Development Opportunities for Houston
•Community and Youth Climate Action: Voices of the Next Generation of Houstonians

Thursday, November 18:
•Never Again: Pathways to a Green and Resilient Texas Grid
•Taking Back the Streets: Designing Cities for People, Not Cars

Friday, November 19:
•Federal Infrastructure Plan: Opportunities for Houston, climate adaptation and the future

About the Mayor's Office of Resilience and Sustainability
The Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability is responsible for implementing Resilient Houston and the Houston Climate Action Plan (CAP). Together, these documents provide a clear framework to foster the growth of a Houston that is both a healthy place to live, as well as an equitable, inclusive, and affordable city that leads in climate mitigation and adaptation and offers a transformative economy that builds forward. To learn more about the CAP or Resilient Houston, visit www.greenhoustontx.gov.

11/02/2021

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Houston

Carolyn Wright, Interim Director
Solid Waste Management Dept.
Sylvester Turner, Mayor
City of Houston

Solid Waste Management Department
Launches HTX Collects Mobile App

August 11, 2021 The Houston Solid Waste Management Department has launched HTX Collects, a mobile app that will allow residents to stay better connected with the City’s waste and recycling collection programs.

The Solid Waste Management Department collects curbside service for over 395,000 residential homes within the city limits. With both garbage (black can) and recycling (green can) as the core operations for curbside collections, the mobile app will help residents keep track of weekly services, updates, and collection delays.

“The HTX Collects, mobile app will make it easier for Houstonians to learn about environmentally sustainable solutions for their neighborhoods,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.“ I encourage Houstonians to download the app today and take advantage of all its features. Together, we can help clean the environment in our City.”

HTX Collects, will include collection reminders for garbage, recycling, yard waste and tree/junk waste specific to their service address. The mobile app will also send a reminder to residents of their collection days.

“This user-friendly mobile app has many features available to residents, giving them the ability to stay up to date on the department’s core services. Residents can sign up for service alerts and know what goes where. This is a seamless way to stay connected with the City’s waste and recycling programs. “Come on, Houston, let’s Chase the Waste!” said Interim Director Carolyn Wright. “All Houston residents have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge about recycling at their fingertips with our new “Chase the Waste” game! Download the app or visit our website HoustonRecycles.org to play and see if you have what it takes to be a “Certified Recycling Ranger”!

Residents can find and download the mobile app for Apple and Android devices via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for the keywords Houston Trash and Recycling. We encourage residents to use the following features of the new app:
•Collection Calendar: Trash, Recycling, Yard Waste, Junk/Tree Waste services. Set reminders and receive alerts via email, push notifications, and phone call.
•Waste Wizard: Searchable solid waste directory, curbside services, and drop-off location information.
•Waste Sorting Game: Fun, interactive educational tool to engage, challenge and change recycling behavior.

Those who do not have an Apple or Android device can visit our website HoustonRecycles.org and search their home address in the My Schedule tool. They can also:
•Sign up to receive waste collection reminders by email or phone call.
•Download their collection schedule into their iCal, Google calendar, or Microsoft Outlook calendar.
•Print their personalized collection schedule.
•Residents can also search the Waste Wizard on HoustonRecycles.org to learn how to recycle or dispose of materials properly.

ABOUT HOUSTON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

The Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) provides solid waste services to the citizens of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective.

For more information about SWMD and our services, visit us at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, “LIKE” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/houstonsolidwaste, follow us on Twitter @houstontrash, or call 3-1-1, the City of Houston’s Customer Service Helpline.

Department Links

Home

Environmental Serv. Center

Tree/Junk Waste

Collection Schedules

Services

Recycling

Know Your Service Days

News, Press and Media

Holiday Schedule

Recycling Calendar

Business Recycling Program

Trash Facts

Department Rules & Regulations

SWMD Recycling Facilities

Environmental Service Center

Neighborhood Depositories/Recycling Centers

Westpark Consumer Recycling Center

Recycling Facilities Map

Reuse Warehouse

Electronics Recycling

10/01/2021

Houston Health Department Urges People to Get Flu Shot Now

The Houston Health Department encourages everyone ages six months and older to protect themselves, their family and community by getting a flu shot now.

Flu outbreaks can occur as early as October and last as late as May.

“The protection offered by flu shots is more important than ever, not just for Houstonians but also for our local healthcare systems,” said Dr. David Persse, chief medical officer for the City of Houston. “COVID-19 has stressed area hospitals for weeks. When people receive their flu shots, they will protect themselves and at the same time reduce the demand that our already burden hospitals are likely to face from the upcoming rise in patients with flu-related complications during the flu season.”

The health department on Monday began offering flu shots at its health centers to uninsured and underinsured people on a sliding scale that ranges from free to $15.

To find the nearest health center and set a flu shot appointment, people can call 832-393-5427. Health center locations and hours of operation are also available at HoustonHealth.org or through the City of Houston’s 311 Help and Info line.

People can visit their doctor, neighborhood pharmacy or local health department to get a flu shot. Many grocery stores also offer the vaccine.

People can receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time -- in different arms -- during a visit to their medical provider.

This season all flu vaccines are quadrivalent, meaning they protect against four different flu viruses. Quadrivalent vaccines have a safety profile comparable to seasonal flu vaccines made to protect against three viruses, with similar -- mostly mild -- side effects.

In addition to vaccination, people can help stop the spread of the flu and other illness by:
•Washing hands frequently
•Covering coughs and sneezes
•Staying home if sick and at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, except to get medical care.

People at high risk for flu are young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and people age 65 and older. They also are at greater risk of severe complications if they get the flu.

The flu -- caused by different related viruses -- is a contagious disease that results in symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat and body aches. People with a combination of these symptoms need to see a medical provider promptly.

Most people recover in one to two weeks, but some develop complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis and sinus and ear infections. Flu also can make chronic medical conditions worse.

Doctors can prescribe antiviral medications that help make the illness shorter and milder. Antiviral medications work best if started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

06/26/2021

We are Superheros for the City!
#311Houston

06/23/2021

CRIS to the rescue!! We are welcoming our new and improved system to better serve our citizens!!

05/05/2021

Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is FREE and key to getting our lives back to normal. Vaccination does not require proof of residency, citizenship, or insurance.
All Texas adults are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Houston Health Department-affiliated vaccination sites are located across the city and open for walk-ins or appointments. Find sites or schedule appointments below, or call 832-393-4220 or 832-393-4301 for assistance.