San Antonio Delays Trash and Recycling Collection Due to Weather

News Summary

San Antonio has postponed trash and recycling collection due to inclement weather. Residents can now expect pickups to begin between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., depending on local road conditions. Additionally, collections this week are on a modified schedule because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, and all drop-off locations for bulky waste are closed. Starting this August, plastic bags will no longer be accepted in recycling bins, prompting residents to shift to reusable options. The new Balcones Recycling Facility significantly enhances recycling capacity, aiming for a notable increase in the city’s recycling rate by 2025.

San Antonio Delays Trash and Recycling Collection Due to Weather

San Antonio is experiencing a bit of a weather hiccup today as the city has decided to push back the start of trash and recycling collection. Residents can expect pickup to commence sometime around 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., although it may vary depending on where you live and how slippery the roads are. If you’re one of those early risers who usually puts out the bins, this change might catch you off guard!

A Shift in Schedule

This week’s trash collections are on a slightly different schedule thanks to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. All curbside collections are occurring a day later than usual. So, if you were planning on taking recyclables out today, it might be wise to check the updated schedule. Topping it off, all locations for brush, bulky, and household hazardous waste will be closed today. Just a reminder—better to stay safe than sorry!

Changes to Recycling Rules

In news about recycling, a shift in policy is on the horizon. Starting this August, the City of San Antonio will no longer accept plastic bags in the blue recycling bins, even if they’re bundled together. Instead, residents are encouraged to drop off those pesky plastic bags at designated retail kiosks designed specifically for plastic bag recycling. If it’s not feasible for you to make the drop-off, you can toss those bags into your brown trash bin.

Going Green is Trending

In a push for environmental sustainability, city officials are encouraging residents to opt for reusable bags instead of plastic bags whenever possible. This is just one little way everyone can contribute to a cleaner San Antonio. And with the city’s recycling initiatives ramping up, it’s an excellent time to get involved!

Balcones Recycling Facility: A New Chapter for Recycling

Speaking of recycling, have you heard about the Balcones Recycling Facility? Opened in August 2024, this state-of-the-art facility processes around 6,000 tons of materials monthly, primarily from San Antonio residents. That’s a lot of recyclables! The facility boasts a processing capacity of 50 tons per hour, which is quite the upgrade over the previous arrangement with Republic Waste, which was only able to handle about 30 tons per hour.

And there’s more good news! The new contract with Balcones Recycling comes at a cost-effective rate of $3 per ton, a significant drop from the nearly $7 per ton that the city previously dealt with. This new deal is expected to save the city some much-needed pennies while boosting amorbid recycling efforts.

Looking Ahead

On top of all that, San Antonio’s recycling rate is projected to reach around 45% by the end of the fiscal year 2025, which is a notable increase from last year’s 33%. With advancements in technology at the Balcones facility, including AI-powered cameras for sorting, we can expect an efficient process. In fact, 85% of the materials being processed at Balcones come from residential curbside pickups! The fancy machinery means fewer workers are needed for manual sorting, showing that technology is making a big impact.

So, whether you’re adjusting your plans for trash and recycling pickup or excited about the city’s efforts to go green, there’s plenty happening in San Antonio. Stay warm, stay safe, and keep that recycling spirit alive!