H-GAC Recycling

08/15/2023

Wouldn’t it be great if we could recycle everything in our curbside or drop off programs? Unfortunately, we can’t, and putting items in the recycling bin that aren’t recyclable can ruin other materials in there that are recyclable. For example, toner cartridges and ink can’t be recycled in any municipal programs. But you can recycle both through some retailers like Office Depot or by mail through many manufacturers. https://www.officedepot.com/l/services/ink-and-toner-cartridge-recycling

08/08/2023

Is it ok to put food in your recycle bin? Nope! Food can ruin recyclable items in the bin, making them unrecyclable. You may be able to compost your leftover food or you may just need to throw it in the garbage bin. Or better yet, try to reduce food waste and buy just what you need and use what you have.

08/01/2023

Paper is a valuable resource and easy to recycle in most curbside and drop-off programs. Just make sure it’s clean and dry before tossing it in the bin. Be sure to check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted in your area for recycling.

07/25/2023

Many types of plastics are recyclable in curbside and drop-off programs, but some are not. Check out the type of plastic by looking for the “chasing arrow” symbol on the item. Just because the arrows are present doesn’t mean the item is recyclable. On plastic products, the numbers inside of the symbols tell you what type of plastic it is. For example, 1 and 2 are PET and HDPE, which are soda and water bottles, cleaning products, milk and juice jugs, and shampoo bottles. These are usually recyclable in most programs. Other items may or may not be recyclable, so be sure to check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling. Learn more about what the numbers and letters mean at https://sustainablepackaging.org/101-resin-identification-codes/

07/18/2023

Plastic pollution, especially waste from single-use plastic bags, can injure or kill marine life, can cause litter on beaches or other landscapes, and may cause flooding as a result of clogged storm drains and other drainage systems. Plastic bags can’t be recycled in most curbside or drop-off programs, but you can bring them back to many retail locations, you can reuse them for trash bags or pet waste bags, or you can avoid them altogether by bringing your own reusable bags when you shop. Always be sure to check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling.

07/12/2023

Nice job Keep Dickinson Beautiful ! Sharing the importance of recycling is a great idea. Using a Texas Trashnot skit for your message = FANTASTIC!

07/11/2023

Plastic water bottles are recyclable and accepted in most curbside or drop-off programs. Just make sure they are empty, clean, and dry. And be sure to check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling. Or, if you want to do your part to protect the environment by reducing single-use plastic use, consider using a refillable water bottle or container instead.

07/06/2023

Balloons are pretty and fun and can be good decorations. But they are often not good for the environment. They can end up as litter, and animals may mistake deflated balloons for food. Instead of using balloons as decorations, consider using items that can be reused or recycled, such as fabric bunting or tassels. You can also make DIY decorations, such as paper pom poms and pinwheels or ribbon wands. Check out this article from Earth911 for more information. https://earth911.com/living-well-being/balloons-environment/

06/27/2023

Aluminum is one of the easiest materials to recycle. But what about aluminum foil? Can you toss that in your curbside recycle bin? Maybe, maybe not. Check with your municipality or waste hauler to be sure. You can also visit Earth 911’s Aluminum Foil Recycling web page to find out more information and search for recycling options based on your zip code. And, if you can’t recycle it because it’s contaminated or not accepted in your area, you can reuse it multiple times before throwing it away. https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-aluminum-foil/

06/20/2023

Did you know that recycling just one aluminum can save enough energy to power a TV 📺 for 2 hours? By recycling ♻️ your aluminum cans, you're helping to reduce energy consumption and protect the environment. Be sure to check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling.

06/20/2023

Way to go The Woodlands! Nice job with resident recycling increases and contamination decreases.

The Woodlands is one of the most active recycling communities among its neighbors, with...

06/19/2023

Good tips as temperatures heat up

Our friends at Reliant Energy ® have some tips for what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint this summer and help our environment!

😎 Follow the 4-by-4 rule: if no one will be home for more than 4 hours, set the temperature 4 degrees higher while you’re out. It will make a bigger impact than you think!

⭐ Want to make an even bigger impact? If you are a Reliant customer, sign up for the Reliant (SM) program! You’ll be supporting more than 30 environmental organizations in Texas (like State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR)!) through their partnership with EarthShare Texas, AND offsetting your carbon emissions so Texas summers can stay as beautiful as ever. 🌞

👉 Read more and sign up here: https://loom.ly/1lTnEao

06/13/2023

Aluminum can be recycled over and over without losing quality. By recycling your aluminum cans, you're helping to reduce the amount of waste in landfills and conserve valuable resources. Be sure to check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling.

06/06/2023

Aluminum containers and cans can have a short product life and can be recycled quickly and infinitely. How’s that for sustainable? Most drop-off and curbside programs accept aluminum for recycling. Just make sure its empty, clean, and dry. And be sure to check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling.

05/30/2023

Power cords and extension cords can’t be recycled through most curbside or drop off programs because they are tanglers and can damage equipment at recycling centers. Instead, look for a specialty recycler, such as Terracycle, or scrap metal recycler in your area, and be sure to check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling. It’s also possible to repair the cord in some instances, a more environmentally friendly option than recycling. https://earth911.com/home-garden/recycling-mystery-power-extension-cords/

05/23/2023

Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and mouthwash bottles are challenging to recycle, but not impossible. Mouthwash bottles made of recyclable plastic that is clean and dry may be able to be recycled in local recycling programs, while toothbrushes and some toothpaste tubes are accepted for recycling through some mail in programs. Search for recycling programs on Earth911 Recycling Search or check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling. https://earth911.com/health/recycling-toothbrushes-and-toothpaste-tubes/

05/16/2023

Getting ready to recycle your cardboard? Be sure to break down boxes and make sure it is clean and dry. Check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling. https://recyclecoach.com/blog/5-innovations-for-the-future-of-coffee-cup-recycling/

05/09/2023

Cardboard is easily recyclable and accepted in many curbside or drop off programs. However, some cardboard shouldn’t be tossed in the recycling bin. Cardboard that is wet or oily 🍕 should be thrown away. Or, you can cut off the wet and oily parts and put the rest in the recycling bin. And be sure to check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling. https://recyclecoach.com/blog/5-innovations-for-the-future-of-coffee-cup-recycling/

05/02/2023

Most of the time paper is easily recycled and accepted in your curbside or drop off bin. However, most of the time paper coffee cups are not easily recyclable. Why not? Most paper coffee cups ☕ are lined with plastic, which can’t easily be separated from the paper. New technology is changing the composition of the cups or improving the recycling process, but it’s not widespread yet. If you can’t recycle them, toss them in the trash 🚮. Or better yet, enjoy your hot coffee or tea in a reusable, refillable cup. And be sure to check with your community or waste hauler to find out what materials are accepted for recycling. https://recyclecoach.com/blog/5-innovations-for-the-future-of-coffee-cup-recycling/

04/25/2023

Plastic milk jugs are made from high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE) which is recyclable in most curbside and drop off programs. These jugs can be remade into pens 🖊️, recycling containers, detergent bottles, children’s toys 🧸 and more. Just make sure they are clean and dry before tossing them in the bin, and always check with your municipality or waste hauler for more information on recycling plastic in your community.

04/18/2023

Earth Day 🌎 is this weekend, and there’s plenty you can do to create a more sustainable place to live today and for tomorrow. You can recycle ♻️ what you can and reuse or reduce items that aren’t recyclable or sustainable. One way you can reduce plastic pollution is to cut back or eliminate your use of single-use plastics. If you can, skip the straw 🥤 at a restaurant or decline the plastic utensils 🥄 if you are taking a to-go order home where you have your own, reusable silverware. Every little bit helps. https://earth911.com/tag/earth-action/

04/13/2023

Join us from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 4, at the Brazoria County Environmental Station "BEES" for a free 🆓 composting workshop ✏️.

Hear from subject-matter experts on how to compost 🌱 and setting up a pilot composting program from a local government perspective.

Space is limited. Register today.

https://www.h-gac.com/solid-waste-management/workshops

04/11/2023

Wondering why you can’t put everything you don’t want, need, or use in your recycling bin? Some things just aren’t recyclable in regular curbside or drop off programs and can be big problems at the recycling sorting facility. Items like gently used clothes 👚 or shoes 👞 will be counted as contamination and end up at the landfill. Instead find another use for them, donate them to a thrift store, sell them on consignment, or just throw them away.

04/04/2023

Even though it’s usually plastic, the bright green grass in your Easter basket isn’t recyclable in curbside or drop off programs, or anywhere else for that matter. But don’t worry, if you have the plastic green grass, just save it for next year and toss it in the trash bin when it’s no longer usable. 🐰 Or, you can enjoy your holiday fun with some more earth-friendly alternatives, such as colored fabric that can be washed or reused or even sturdy leafy greens, like kale, 🥬 that can be washed and eaten after the egg hunt. https://earth911.com/diy/plastic-free-easter-basket-grass-ideas/

03/28/2023

Looking to clean out your files and recycle some of that old paper? Earth911 recommends using a black marker to hide sensitive information instead of shredding the paper. Shredded paper is more difficult to recycle. And be sure to check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out what items are accepted for recycling in your community.

03/21/2023

Paper and cardboard are valuable recycling resources in many communities, but it’s no good if it’s wet or has food waste on it. Be sure when you put paper or anything else in the curbside or drop off recycle bin that it’s clean and dry. And be sure to check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out what items are accepted for recycling and the rules for recycling in your community.

03/14/2023

Yard waste may be compostable, but it’s not recyclable in your curbside or drop off bin. You may be able to mulch or compost it yourself or through a community program. Be sure to check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out what’s accepted in your community.

03/08/2023

Looking for a way to get involved? Consider piloting the resources available in the Restaurant Single-Use Plastic Reduction or Recreational Litter Cleanup Toolkits.

Please click the link to complete this form.

03/07/2023

Cut grass does not belong in your recycle bin. Leave grass on your lawn after you mow it or include it in your personal or community compost bin, if you have one. Be sure to check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out what’s accepted in your community.

02/28/2023

Many recycling programs accept paper, plastic, metal, cardboard, and glass, but if yours doesn’t take one or more of those materials then any that gets mixed in with the other items is considered contamination. Wondering if an item is acceptable to toss in the recycling bin? Check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out

02/21/2023

If you've ever wanted to know more about Trash Free Texas Adopt-A-Spot or the Texas Litter Database, this is the event for you. It's THIS THURSDAY. It's FREE! And it's ONLINE!

Register at http://bit.ly/3SogTUP

Join us for our webinar, where we'll be talking about how to keep Texas trash-free! We'll be exploring the Adopt-A-Spot Map and the Texas Litter Database, two resources that can help and organizations build or enhance litter programs.

If you're interested in learning more about how to keep clean, this is an event you will want to attend! Join us on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 9 AM.

02/21/2023

Contamination is the leading barrier to recycling programs in Texas and can increase the cost of recycling in your community. Contamination is anything in the recycling stream that doesn’t belong there, like food, liquids, clothes, batteries, hoses, cords, and plastic bags. Not sure whether or not something is accepted for recycling in your community? Check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out

02/14/2023

Even though aluminum is one of the easiest and most recyclable materials in the United States, more than $800 million worth of it ends up in the landfill each year. It’s easy to recycle. Just make sure it’s clean and dry and drop it in the recycling bin. And be sure to check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out what items are accepted for recycling in your community. https://www.aluminum.org/Recycling

02/09/2023

What's a great way to make sure single-use plastic utensils don't end up in the landfill after your to-go order? Ask the restaurant to not include them in the first place!

When you're getting an order to-go, specify that you do not need cutlery and straws if you have something reusable to eat with. Many places give them out automatically as a courtesy to customers and aren't aware that you may not need or want them.

02/07/2023

Aluminum is one of the easiest and most recyclable materials around. It only takes about 5% of the energy to recycle aluminum into something else as it did to make the original product. Before tossing your aluminum cans in the recycling bin, make sure they are clean and dry to avoid contamination. And be sure to check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out what items are accepted for recycling in your community. https://www.aluminum.org/Recycling

01/31/2023

According to Earth911, about 85% of used clothes hangers end up in landfills. But they don’t have to. Some drop-off recycling programs will accept wire clothes hangers, or you can give them away to a dry cleaner or resale shop. Or give them a second life in your home by repurposing them for another use, such as a dish dryer, or a jewelry holder. https://earth911.com/diy/repurpose-hangers/

01/24/2023

True or False? If a product includes the chasing arrows symbol on it, that means it’s always recyclable. False. On plastic, the chasing arrows with a number inside indicate what type of plastic it is, not whether or not it’s recyclable. Check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out what items are accepted for recycling in your community.

01/23/2023

Do you ever worry that the recycling services, outreach efforts, or other solid waste related services being provided aren’t addressing the needs of your community equitably? Join H-GAC at 10 a.m. Monday, January 30, for a webinar where you'll learn about the challenges faced by communities across Texas, as well as how local governments are working to address them. During this webinar you’ll hear from experts who have examined equity in solid waste services in Texas and other parts of the country. You’ll also hear about H-GAC’s Regional Equity Tool and how you can use it in your community. Register today at http://bit.ly/3wfQhv3.

01/20/2023

Scholarship opportunity

Student groups and teachers! 🎓⭐ The STAR 2023 Environmental Sustainability Scholarship for Student Groups and Teachers is now open!🎉

Looking to start, enhance, or sustain or landfill reduction programs on campus or in your community? ♻️ Apply by June 1st! ⭐

ELIGIBILITY:
⭐ Student groups at any college, community college, or university; OR
⭐ Educators at any level of public education in Texas
⭐ Must be 18 at time of application deadline, June 1, 2023.

👉 See more details: https://recyclingstar.org/Scholarship

01/17/2023

Many types of plastics are recyclable in your curbside or drop off bin, but plastic film, like grocery bags, sandwich bags, or bubble wrap, isn’t. This type of plastic can get tangled in machinery at recycling centers, costing time or money or even causing danger to workers. A good alternative to using them once is reusing them for packing, storage, or trash bags. Or visit plasticfilmrecycling.org for information about where and how you may be able to recycle some single-use plastics. What’s your favorite way to reuse single-use plastics?