Texas has no statewide commercial or residential organics diversion law similar to California SB 1383 or Massachusetts. Harris County does not require food waste separation for residents or businesses, but Houston runs a voluntary residential subscription compost pilot and accepts yard waste through curbside service.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 361 governs solid waste, but there is no state mandate for organics diversion. Harris County Solid Waste does not contract residential collection in unincorporated areas, where households use private subscription haulers. The county does operate seasonal yard-waste and tree-debris drop-off sites after storms. Inside Houston, the Solid Waste Management Department accepts curbside yard waste in compostable bags and runs a voluntary food-scrap subscription pilot in a few zip codes. Commercial organics diversion is voluntary and incentivized through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recycling grants, not by any local mandate. Restaurants commonly contract privately with Moonshot Compost or similar haulers.
Because organics diversion is voluntary, no fines apply for placing food waste in trash. Illegal dumping of yard waste outside contracted service is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500 under the county litter order.
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire enforces detailed quiet hours under its noise ordinance adopted in 2023. Quiet hours run Sunday through Thursday from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM (11:00 PM t...
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire prohibits all construction activity during quiet hours regardless of noise level. Construction is permitted only during non-quiet hours: 7:00 AM to ...
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire's noise ordinance prohibits all lawn care activities, including leaf blower use, during quiet hours regardless of noise level. During non-quiet hour...
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire Code Chapter 6 (Animals and Fowl) prohibits keeping dogs that create excessive noise disturbing neighbors. Barking dog complaints are handled by Bel...
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire's noise ordinance sets specific decibel limits for amplified music: 60 dB maximum in residential zones during quiet hours and 75 dB during non-quiet...
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire regulates street parking through Chapter 30 (Traffic and Vehicles) with restrictions on specific streets, time limits, and no-parking zones. The cit...
See how Bellaire's mandatory organics recycling rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.