If you are unsure of what is/isn’t recyclable please refer to the Houston County Recycler below!
ONLY these items can be placed in your yellow recycling container to be picked up at the curb.
Glass: Food and beverage glass only (soda, beer, wine and liquor bottles; food containers) Rinse clean and discard metal or plastic caps. Labels can remain.
EXAMPLES: NO broken glass, window glass, mirrors, light bulbs, dishes, ceramic dishes or beer/wine caps, flowerpots, crystal, heat resistant ovenware, drinking glasses.
Tin Cans: Rinse clean and flatten if possible. Labels can remain.
Plastics 1 & 2: Empty bottles and jugs with necks. Number 1 or number 2 code must be stamped on the bottom of the container—for example, milk jugs and pop bottles.
EXAMPLES: NO plastic bags or wrap, film containers, plastic pails, dishes, bubble wrap, storage baskets, flowerpots, ice cream pails, 5 gal buckets.
Paper/fiber products: Office paper, computer paper, Newspaper • Corrugated cardboard, cardboard egg cartons, cereal and juice boxes: Flatten.
DO NOT PUT IN RECYCLING TOTE: Styrofoam egg cartons. • Cat Litter • Clothes • Wood • Food Scraps • Dog Poop •Tarps • Swimming Pools • Styrofoam • Toys • Any form of demolition • Pumpkins • Mums • Car Parts • General garbage
As a resident, you play an important role in keeping the City’s main sewer line and your own private sewer line clean and clear of blockages.
The City of Brownsville contracts for the cleaning of lift stations bi-annually to ensure proper function and prevent costly repairs. During the most recent cleaning and inspection, it was discovered that excessive grease buildup is present in the Harbor Lights and Spring Court/Brook Street lift stations. Excessive grease accumulation can lead to serious issues, including pump failures, blockages, and sewer backups, which can be costly and disruptive to residents. The city urges all residents and businesses in these areas to properly dispose of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) by avoiding pouring them down drains. Instead, grease should be collected in a container and disposed of in the trash.
To maintain the efficiency of our wastewater system and reduce potential hazards, the city will continue monitoring grease levels and may implement additional measures if necessary. We appreciate the cooperation of all residents in helping to keep our lift stations functioning properly.
Many products marketed as “flushable” are not really flushable. Although the wipe product when flushed may or may not make it through the private property owner’s own sanitary sewer service line, these products do not break down like toilet paper or paper towels. This means that clumps of these sturdy and non-degradable products can and do plug sanitary sewer lines and lift stations causing blockages and backups. If the product you are using doesn’t break down or fall apart like toilet paper or paper towel, or if the product contains any cloth or mesh fibers or if it continues to stay intact after being wet and used, the product can cause blockages in your service line and/ or the city’s sewer system and should be thrown in the trash rather than being flushed down the toilet. Flushing anything down the drain that could cause a blockage, including but not limited to grease, or non-degradable wipes is a “prohibited discharge”
The following items should be disposed of in your trash can, NOT in the sanitary sewer system, please dispose of the following items properly:
- Household waste such as grease, ashes, corrosives, glass, metals, paint, poisons, or solvents
- Flushable wipes, sanitary napkins, tampons, rags or shop towels
- Garage waste products such as oil, grease, gasoline, antifreeze
- Yard waste such as sand, soil or mud
Thank you for taking this notice seriously, Brownsville City Council!