Secrets to a successful recycling program at school

• Once you have decided what materials will be collected, you will need to make these decisions:
• Where will you be collecting the recycling material? This might include classrooms, break rooms, the cafeteria, and offices.
• What type of containers will be needed at each collection point? Remember – you don’t necessarily have to purchase new containers. You can often use existing containers just by labeling them for recycling.
• Who will be picking up handling recyclables? Will the committee be collecting materials, custodial staff, or a combination of both?
• Where will recycling be stored prior to pickup? Some schools have a gated area with a designated recycling bin near trash dumpsters, while others have blue carts.
• Who will be collecting your recycling? Contact the City of Laredo’s Solid Waste Services Recycling Program at 796-1098 or 795-2510 to arrange for pickup service at your school.

Happy Earth Day!

Billie Bote, our environmentally friendly mascot, and Willie Bote visited some schools in the month of April to promote reduce, reuse, recycle! Thank you Kazen Elementary (UISD), Milton Elementary (LISD), Diaches Elementary (LISD), Freedom Elementary (UISD), Clark Elementary (UISD) Santo Niño Elementary (LISD), and DD Hachar Elementary (LISD) for the warm hospitality. We thank teachers throughout our community for their dedication to our children and our planet. Willie and Billie Bote, the friendly environmental mascots, hope that Laredo residents will treat every day like Earth Day by committing to making small changes each day!

Community Outreach

• Facebook
• Youtube

• City of Laredo Landfill and Garbage Collection Video
• City of Laredo Material Recovery Facility Video - Recycling Center Process Video
• Centro de Recuperación de Materiales - Centro de Reciclaje Video
• Willie Bote Puppet Show - Recycling is Easy
•  
• Laredo, It's time to recycle Public Service Annoucement in English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTOdwH5oNGU
• Laredo, llego la hora de reciclar--PSA en español https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSl_zIO1QE4

Large Scale Special Events must be scheduled with the City of Laredo Solid Waste Department. For more information on planning your event please contact the City of Laredo Solid Waste Services for information, (956) 796-1098.

SPECIAL EVENT WASTE REMOVAL APPLICATION

The Solid Waste Department provides Special Needs Collection Assistance Service to residents who are both temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to set out their garbage carts for pickup and have no one living with them to assist. 

To be eligible for this service, residents must meet the following criteria: 

1. No one else living or employed (part or full time) in the household is capable of placing the garbage cart at the curb.
2. A licensed U.S. physician must certify the resident's disability is of a nature that prevents the resident from setting the garbage at the curb.
3. Application must be re-submitted annually from the date of original application. Failure to do so will result in discontinuance of special assistance service.
4. Applicant authorizes City personnel to enter their private property for the purpose of providing waste collection service.

Please complete "APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL COLLECTION SERVICE" and ensure the form is completed and signed by the appropriate individual(s). 

1. Please complete the "APPLICANT INFORMATION" and "APPLICANT’S STATEMENT OF DISABILITY AND HOUSEHOLD OCCUPANCY" sections.
2. Forward the entire form to your physician.
3. The physician shall ensure that all the "Physician Disability Statement" section is completed and signed. 
4. Please mail completed white copy of application to:
   

   Solid Waste Services
   Attention: Customer Service
   P.O. Box 1965
   Laredo, TX 78044-1965

5. Physician(s) may retain Pink Copy for their records.
6. Applicant (resident) may retain Yellow Copy for their records.

The City will verify application information and notify you of eligibility. more information, please call 795-2510. 

What do I do if I have extra household trash?

If you generate more waste than your Willie Bote bin can hold, you can request another bin for an additional monthly service fee of $10.00 per bin. To request an additional garbage cart, please call 3-1-1 Call Center from Monday thru Sunday 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. You may also want to consider recycling. By increasing your recycling, you will reduce your waste in your green cart. 
 

Missed garbage cart collection

If your garbage was not collected on the scheduled date, please call the 3-1-1 Call Center for assistance. The 3-1-1 Call Center operates from Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Please place the Willie Bote cart at or near your driveway, keeping it about 4 feet away from any large objects. Have your container set out by the curb at 6:30 AM on your collection day, and ensure that no parked vehicles are blocking access to your trash bin. Only dispose of household garbage items in the Willie Bote cart. Do NOT place hot ashes, flammable liquids or solids, solvents, motor oil, hazardous materials, concrete blocks, paint, construction and demolition debris, dirt or rocks, and steel in the Willie Bote cart. 
 

Does the City of Laredo collect lawn clipping and brush piles?

Yes, FREE for residents paying City of Laredo RESIDENTIAL garbage fee. No phone calls are necessary to schedule pickup. The City of Laredo is divided into 5 zip codes that allows the brush division to provide collection of brush to residential customers on a five (5) day rotating schedule. 

For commercial accounts, or other residential accounts NOT paying City of Laredo garbage fees, rates will apply as follows:

Up to 5 cubic yards..........................$35.00 Minimum Charge

Each additional cubic yard or portion thereof..................$7.00

Does the City of Laredo collect old appliances or furniture?

Residents have the option of taking these items to the landfill for proper disposal. If you provide a valid identification card and a utility bill the cost for disposal is $2.00 from Monday to Friday (for less than 2000 lbs.), and free on Saturdays. If you do not have a vehicle to transport to the landfill, you can schedule an appointment to dispose of them correctly. Residents who pay City of Laredo residential garbage fees can request a pickup of bulky items two times each year at no cost. In each pickup, you can have up to four items collected. This service is available year-round upon request. To schedule a bulky item pickup, please call 3-1-1 Call Center. 

If you request pickup for more than four items, or if you do NOT pay City of Laredo garbage fees, rates will apply as follows:

 • First bulky item: $15.00 

• Second bulky item on same service request: $10.00

• Subsequent bulky items on same service request: $5.00 per item
 

Does the City of Laredo collect construction debris?

Removal of accumulations of construction and demolition debris (wood, sheet rock, carpet, siding, etc.) and other (non-putrescible) waste is provided for a fee. Rates are as follows for any residential or commercial account requesting the service:

       Up to 5 cubic yards......................................$55.00 Minimum Charge

        Each additional cubic yard or portion ........................................$11.00
 

Who picks up dead animals on City’s right of way?

The Solid Waste Services picks up dead animals on the City of Laredo right of way. To arrange for the removal of deceased animals from public sidewalks or streets, please contact 3-1-1 Call Center.
 

Can I put tires in my garbage collection?

No, the property owner should dispose of tires at the City of Laredo Landfill. City of Laredo residents can take up to four (4) passenger tires to the landfill at no cost per day with proof of valid identification card and a City of Laredo utility bill matching the address. For commercial accounts, there is a fee of $2 per passenger tire. A fee of $6 per tire for 18-wheeler tires regardless if they are residential or commercial. Tractor-trailer or special size tires are $100 per ton.
 

Missed recycling cart collection

If your recycle was not collected on the scheduled date, please call the 3-1-1 Call Center for assistance. The 3-1-1 Call Center operates from Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Place the Billie Bote recycling cart at or near the driveway about 4 feet away from any large objects. Have your container set out by the curb at 6:30 AM on your collection day. Additionally, make sure that no parked vehicles block access to your recycling bin. Do NOT throw these items in the Billie Bote blue recycling cart: glass bottles and jars, tanglers, such as hoses, cords, or clothes, plastic wrap and bags, hazardous materials, polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) blocks, packing peanuts, dirty diapers, pet waste, and food waste.
 

What are the hours of operation for the City of Laredo Landfill?

The operating hours for the City of Laredo landfill are Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (weather permitting). Please note that the schedule is subject to change during holidays. If you are hauling a utility trailer, you need to enter the Landfill 30 minutes prior to closing. All 18-wheelers need to be inside the landfill by 2:30 PM.
 

What is the fee to use the landfill?

City of Laredo Residential Garbage: The first ton is $2.00 subsequent weight is charged at $46.50 a ton. City of Laredo residents on Saturdays may bring up to a ton for disposal free of charge.  

Webb County Residential Garbage: The County of Webb, the incorporated cities within Webb County, and any other county or municipal entity with which there exists a current inter local agreement with the city the residential garbage fee is $46.50 a ton.

Commercial: Within the City of Laredo $46.50 per ton. Outside the City of Laredo limits but within Webb County $81.50 per ton. Outside of Webb County $216.50 per ton. 

Payment Methods: Credit Card, Checks or Cash.
 

What do I do with used motor oil?

You can drop off your used motor oil at one of the used motor oil collection sites. They are located at the City of Laredo Landfill, Fire Station #9, and at Public Works Department. The drop off sites are a free service provided to residential customers only. NO COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS ARE ACCEPTED.

• City of Laredo Landfill, 6912 State Hwy 359
• Fire Station # 9, 11700 Mines Rd.
• Department of Public Works, 5512 Daugherty Ave
   

What is the procedure to report a stolen trashcan?

To request a replacement for your stolen or missing container, please follow these steps. First, contact the Laredo Police Department to file an incident report and obtain a case number over the phone. Once you have the case number, call the 3-1-1 Call Center. When you call, kindly provide us with your billing address and the case number. With this information, we will be able to assist you in ordering a replacement bin.
 

Damaged trashcan or needing repair?

If your trash or recycling cart container gets damaged or has a broken lid or wheels, contact the 3-1-1 Call Center to schedule a repair. 
 

Can anyone get the mulch that the City of Laredo provides?

Yes, the mulch is available free of charge and can be obtained at the City of Laredo Landfill.
 

Where do we dispose of household hazardous waste?

The City of Laredo Environmental Department has a drop-off site for various items at the City of Laredo Landfill. This includes batteries, computers, paints, and other hazardous materials. Please note that this service is specifically for residential household hazardous waste. If you have any questions regarding specific materials, please feel free to contact 3-1-1 Call Center for further assistance. 
 

How often do you provide collection service?

Garbage, recycling and lawn-clipping collection is once a week. Contact 3-1-1 Call Center for more information.