Houston's Public Works department is reporting significant improvements in solid waste collection, but the city's director says there is still work to be done.

Director Randy Macchi told KPRC2 News , after a City Council committee on Wednesday, that garbage is being picked up on time 99% of the time, while recycling is running at a 98% on-time rate, as of September.

The biggest problem area, Macchi said, remains heavy trash collection, which is currently sitting at just 41% on time.