Houston delays requirement for biodegradable yard waste bags

Rule now set to go into effect Feb. 1
By MATTHEW TRESAUGUE, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Dec. 28, 2009

City officials predict that the change will result in the diversion of 60,000 tons of organic material from local landfills at an annual savings of $2 million in fees, or 10 percent of the city's yearly budget for waste disposal

Houston waste officials have decided to delay the start of a program requiring the use of biodegradable and compostable bags for leaves and yard trimmings because of a supply problem.

The program will go into effect Feb. 1, instead of Jan. 1, to allow more time for the bags to reach store shelves, said Marina Joseph, a spokeswoman for the city's Solid Waste Department.

The newly mandated bags can be found at Walmart and Kroger stores and will soon be at other retailers, such as CVS, Ace Hardware and Do It Best Hardware, she said.

“They are out there, but it's not as widespread as we would like it to be,” Joseph said Monday of the bags. “We don't want to start the program without them being widely available.”

The city is making the change to the biodegradable bags because plastic bags, made from petroleum, can linger for centuries in landfills. The compostable bags begin to decompose within six weeks.

City officials predict that the change will result in the diversion of 60,000 tons of organic material from local landfills at an annual savings of $2 million in fees, or 10 percent of the city's yearly budget for waste disposal.

The compostable bags, however, are more expensive. A box of 10 city-required bags, each holding up to 39 gallons, costs $6 to $8, while a box of 70 similar-size plastic bags sells for about $16.

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Bio bags

Effective Feb. 1, the city will only pick up leaves, grass trimmings and other yard waste that is left out in biodegradable or compostable bags. Some details:

What: The new bags feel like plastic, but are made of starch and start decomposing in six weeks.

Why: The city hopes to conserve landfill space, cut waste and reduce use of petroleum-based plastic bags that take centuries to decompose.

How much: A box of 10, 39-gallon bags will sell for $6-$8 at several grocery retailers — up to 80 cents a bag, compared with under 25 cents for comparable plastic bags.

Where they are: The following Walmart locations say they have the new bags in stock. Officials say other retailers, such as CVS, Ace Hardware, Do It Best Hardware and possible Kroger, should have them in stock soon:
26270 Northwest Freeway, Cypress 22605 Tomball Pkwy., Tomball 9235 North Sam Houston Pkwy., Humble 5655 East Sam Houston Pkwy., Houston 9598 Rowlett Road, Houston 9460 West Sam Houston Pkwy. South, Houston 12353 FM 1960 West, Houston 2700 South Kirkwood Drive, Houston 9555 South Post Oak Road, Houston 13484 Northwest Freeway, Houston 2727 Dunvale Road, Houston 10411 North Freeway, Houston 155 Louetta Crossing, Spring 3506 Texas 6, Houston 27650 Tomball Pkwy., Tomball

More information: www.houstonsolidwaste.org.