Did you know that the City of Victoria’s Solid Waste program is financially self-sufficient? Our Solid Waste service—from the trucks to the salaries of the people driving them—is funded entirely by the rate on your utility bill, not by taxes or other funding sources. When we make decisions about the services that we offer, we work hard to strike a balance between quality service and reasonable rates.

This balance is something that we keep in mind, for example, when we determine the replacement schedule for our Solid Waste trucks. Solid Waste received a new truck this month, and we will receive two more at the start of next year. These trucks will replace the three oldest in our fleet, which will help prevent delays caused by breakdowns.

Because trash and recycling trucks are regularly on the road for 10-12 hours a day, they tend to wear out quickly. Our trucks are a valuable resource, and we try to keep them in use for as long as possible, but as they reach the end of their lifespan, they break down more frequently.

I am sure that our residents will be excited about the new trucks, but perhaps no one is more excited than my staff. Our drivers serve 1,200-1,500 houses per day, and a breakdown can mean the difference between finishing up by 5 p.m. and staying on the roads until 9 p.m.

Residents can help by placing their carts on the curb by 7 a.m. and leaving them out for the entire day. Having the carts out by 7 a.m. is important because when we are shorthanded or experience truck issues, the extra route is divided among our drivers, who will serve these homes first before they move on to their regular assignments. This means that even if you are used to having your trash picked up later in the day, have your cart out by 7 a.m. in case the driver comes by sooner than expected.

Residents are also reminded to follow these tips to avoid delays and missed pickups:

• Place your cart 5 feet away from obstacles on all sides, including other trash carts.
• Place your cart with the wheels secure against the curb—or along the street facing your home, if you do not have a curb.
• Do not leave your vehicle parked in a spot that will block your carts or your neighbors’.

If you need to get rid of something bigger than a trash can—like tree limbs or old furniture—schedule an appointment by calling Solid Waste at 361-485-3220 or using the Victoria Texas 311 app. If you leave these items on your curb without letting us know, they can’t be collected.

Our City’s Alert Center allows us to get in touch with customers to let them know if we are expecting delays. Regardless of whether you receive an alert, please leave your cart out for the entire day until it is picked up. If it has not been picked up by the next day, and if you have not heard from us, call 361-485-3220 or use the Victoria Texas 311 app.

Christy Youker is the director of Environmental Services for the City of Victoria.