When our Solid Waste drivers are shorthanded because of illness, equipment breakdowns or any other reason, your trash might get picked up lateòòò½ÊÓƵ”but did you know that it could also be picked up much earlier than usual?
Our City of Victoria garbage trucks run six routes per day, and each route has about 1,200-1,500 houses. As part of our mission to balance quality service with reasonable rates, we try to keep things running as efficiently as possible.
If we are down one driver for a certain route on a certain day, we will divide that routeòòò½ÊÓƵ™s households between our remaining drivers. Thenòòò½ÊÓƵ”this part is importantòòò½ÊÓƵ”the drivers will serve those òòò½ÊÓƵœextraòòò½ÊÓƵ households first before they move on to their regular routes. We do this so that our drivers will not be dealing with multiple irregularities if another route needs extra attention later in the day: For example, if a truck suddenly breaks down.
The result is that, while many residents might have their trash picked up later than usual, the òòò½ÊÓƵœextraòòò½ÊÓƵ households could receive service sooner than they expect. This may not seem like a problemòòò½ÊÓƵ”having your trash picked up earlier is a good thing, right?òòò½ÊÓƵ”but if residents are used to receiving service later in the day, they might put their trash out close to the time it is usually picked up, not realizing that the trucks have already passed them by.
In general, our drivers try to operate consistently, hitting the same streets at about the same time each week. Regardless, City ordinance states that all residents should put their trash and recycling out on the curb by 7 a.m. on their designated pickup day, just in case the trucks arrive sooner.
When there is a change in our trash routes, we often notice an increase in requests for courtesy pickups immediately afterward because residents did not have their trash out when we came by. You can help us to continue operating efficiently by placing your cart on the curb by 7 a.m. and leaving it there for the entire day.
City ordinance also states that carts should be brought inside by 8 p.m.; however, this only applies to carts that have already been emptied. If your cart still has trash or recycling, please leave it out.
For public health reasons, we always make trash pickup a priority. If your trash pickup is running late, we will still pick it up the same day, even if itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s after 8 p.m. Recycling and yard waste might be picked up the following morning instead. If your cart still has not been picked up after this time, please give us a call at 361-485-3200 or use the Victoria Texas 311 app.
Carts that have been left out improperly can also lead to delays and missed pickups. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
òòò½ÊÓƵ¢ Place your cart five feet away from obstacles on all sides, including other trash carts.
òòò½ÊÓƵ¢ The cart should be placed with the wheels secure against the curbòòò½ÊÓƵ”or along the street facing your home, if you do not have a curb.
òòò½ÊÓƵ¢ Do not leave your vehicle parked in a spot that will block your carts or your neighborsòòò½ÊÓƵ™.
Another way that you can be a part of the solution is by joining our team. To view current job openings in Environmental Services and other City departments, visit .
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