Residents of the eight neighborhoods  will receive a 96-gallon green cart on wheels, and Harry Hayes, the Solid Waste Management Director says they will be picked up by a special truck that itself is recycled.

"The containers will hold about five and a half times more material than our current 18-gallon bins, and they're also a big benefit for our senior citizens, as they are on wheels, and it makes it easier to get them to the curb."

Materials will be collected on a bi-weekly basis, on the residents' scheduled recycling collection day.

"This particular program overcomes some of the barriers, obstacles that have hindered curbside recycling in the past."

Mayor Bill White says the new program will make Houston a leader in the recycling effort.

"We started our recycling efforts by focusing on our trees and grass, being able to take that material out of the dumps, and reuse it at a savings to the taxpayers. It makes good sense. Now we're moving up to the task of doing something innovative for curbside recycling."

The pilot project will last a year, and the effort is expected to divert tons of waste from landfills every month.More information can be found at www.houstonsolidwaste.org and by clicking “Automated Recycling Pilot Program.”

Pat Hernandez, KUHF...Houston Public Radio News.