Houston is expanding its multifamily recycling pilot program as city officials work to improve recycling access for apartment residents and address mounting landfill capacity concerns.
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The initiative, launched in September 2025, is designed to test new collection and education strategies across a range of multifamily properties. Backed by funding from The Recycling Partnership and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, the program aims to bring consistent recycling services to a segment of the population that has historically lacked access.
Currently, about 1,334 housing units are enrolled in the pilot, with plans to add services for an additional 500 units this month. By the program’s conclusion in late 2026, officials expect roughly 3,000 units across 12 properties to be participating.
City leaders and environmental advocates say the expansion is critical as Houston’s multifamily population continues to rise. Approximately 1 million residents — about half of the city’s population — now live in apartments or similar housing, according to Environment Texas. That number is projected to increase to 1.6 million by 2040.
Despite this growth, recycling access remains limited. The Recycling Partnership estimates that only about 20% of multifamily households in Texas have access to recycling services, with Houston offering coverage to just a small number of properties.
At the same time, multifamily housing contributes significantly to the city’s waste stream, accounting for an estimated 15% of Houston’s total waste. City officials are also grappling with long-term landfill capacity issues, as the nearby McCarty landfill is expected to reach capacity within the next nine years.
“This initiative is expected to save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by extending the lifespan of our landfills,” said City Council member Abbie Kamin, who spearheaded the program. “It’s good for our environment too.”
The pilot is evaluating two primary recycling service models. One approach uses centralized collection points, such as large containers located outside apartment buildings. The second offers a valet-style service, where recyclables are collected directly from residents’ doorsteps.
Early results show promise, with two properties currently using the valet model reporting a set-out participation rate of about 20%, according to Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department.
In addition to collection methods, the program emphasizes education. Residents receive materials such as door hangers and reminders to help them properly sort recyclables and reduce contamination.
Collected materials are processed by FCC Environmental, which handles a significant portion of the city’s recycling. The company processed approximately 54,674 tons of recyclable material in 2025 and recently completed upgrades to its Houston materials recovery facility to capture more plastics and flexible packaging.
Advocates say the pilot program represents a key step toward broader recycling reform in the city. Environment Texas has urged Houston to consider establishing a dedicated solid waste fee to fund expanded recycling services, similar to programs in cities like Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.
According to The Recycling Partnership, the pilot will provide valuable data on recycling performance, including material volumes and contamination rates. The findings will help guide future policy decisions, including the potential development of a citywide multifamily recycling ordinance.
“The data will reveal the performance of each model and where to focus resources for the greatest impact as the city explores a multifamily recycling ordinance,” the organization said. “The results won’t just shape Houston’s future; they’ll inform strategies nationwide for scaling recycling to multifamily communities everywhere.”
As Houston continues to grow, officials say expanding recycling access in multifamily housing will be essential to managing waste sustainably and reducing environmental impact across the city.
Originally reported by Megan Quinn, Senior Reporter in Smart Cities Dive.
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