Mesquite, TX – October 12, 2020 – The City of Mesquite announced it will resume its curbside recycling program on Oct. 19. and the Mesquite Recycles Day will return on Nov. 14 at Poteet High School, 3300 Poteet Drive, from 8 a.m. - noon. The free event provides Mesquite residents the opportunity to drop off a variety of reusable items (i.e., used eyeglasses, books, household goods), electronic-waste and offers professional document shredding.
The residential recycling program has been suspended since late March due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic stay at home orders. Residential solid waste collection increased by 21% during the past seven months. Collection of the increased tonnage of trash was impacted by reduced solid waste staffing levels due to COVID-19 quarantines, staff vacancies and a lack of an adequate number of solid waste truck drivers.
Matt Holzapfel, Director of Public Works, said, “We recently have been able to increase our solid waste staffing levels as well as the number of available staff with the required commercial driver’s license needed to operate the large solid waste vehicles. This will help us resume the curbside recycling program.” Holzapfel also shared the cooler outdoor temperatures will also aid solid waste employees in adding curbside recycling back into their routes that already include household waste and yard waste.
Mesquite residents may continue to drop off recyclable items for free at the Citizens Convenience and Recycling Center at 3550 Lawson Road. Residents are provided unlimited free visits to the center to drop off recyclable items and one free visit per month for all other solid waste items. The center is open Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. All customers must provide proof of Mesquite residency such as a water bill or a valid Texas driver's license. The center will only accept materials generated from a private residence. The disposal of materials from commercial properties is not permitted.
The types of acceptable items include fencing, furniture, lumber, appliances, automotive batteries, tires (limit 4), small amounts of concrete and bricks, plastic containers, newspapers, magazines, telephone books, chipboard, cardboard, tin, steel, aluminum, glass, all types of metal and electronic waste (computers, monitors, televisions, etc.). Unacceptable items are hazardous materials (pesticides, chemicals, solvents), paint, commercially generated waste, roofing materials, rocks, dirt, oil and other automotive fluids. Residents can call the Solid Waste Division at 972-216-6285 for questions about the center.