H-GAC is the state-designated planning agency for solid waste management issues in the Houston-Galve
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Trick-or-treating doesn’t have to be scary. Here’s a tip for reducing waste this holiday season. Use an eco-friendly Halloween bag such as a paper bag, a reusable cloth bag, a pillowcase or a tote bag. Some can be recycled and some can be put back to use in another way after Halloween.
Learn more ways to make your Halloween more sustainable in this blog post - https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/reduce-waste-halloween
During football season friends, families, and communities can engage in a little competiotion of their own by participating in community clean up challenge events to help clean up local parks and stadiums or fun recycling challenges with prizes for the most creative upcycled football-themed crafts and decorations. Learn more about hosting a community clean up event with free toolkits available from Trash Free Texas.
https://www.trashfreetexas.org/community-cleanup-challenge-toolkit
Looking for a cute Halloween or fall festival costume ? Check out your local thrift store (or your own closet). Clothes that you’re not wearing any more or that are for sale in a thrift shop can make fun costumes for your holiday gatherings. Some cute costume ideas include tourist, a salesman, a prom queen, and more. This will give old clothes a new life and may save money over purchasing a store-bought costume.
https://www.wethreeshanes.com/thrift-store-costume-ideas-for-halloween/
As temperatures begin to cool down, we can start thinking about creating sustainable fall decorations from upcycled materials around your house, such as making cute apples or pumpkins using just an old magazine, and a pipe cleaner. This gives that old magazine new life and you have a fun afternoon craft project to complete with your kids or family. You may be able to recycle your DIY decorations when you're done, but if not, they should last the whole season.
Always be sure to check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out what types of materials can be recycled in your community.
https://national.macaronikid.com/articles/61700e1422234232af38a0bd/5-easy-upcycled-and-recycled-crafts-for-fall
A quick reminder: Batteries don't belong in the recycling bin. 🚫🔋
Batteries can cause problems when they're mixed with other recyclables. They can leak hazardous chemicals, disrupt the recycling process, and even cause fires in recycling trucks or sorting facilities. To make sure our recycling stream stays clean, efficient, and safe, let's use battery drop-off points or participate in battery recycling programs available in our area.
While we're all committed to reducing our impact on the environment, it's important to remember that batteries should never go in the recycling bin. 🚫🔋
Batteries contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment if not properly disposed of or recycled. Instead of tossing them in the bin, consider using battery recycling programs or drop-off locations in your community.
Check Earth911's Recycling Search for battery recycling programs near you, and always be sure to check with your municipality or waste hauler to find out what types of materials can be recycled in your community.
It's time to make a positive impact on our environment by recycling right. When it comes to plastic, remember the golden rule: Clean and Dry! 💧🧼
By taking a moment to rinse and dry your plastic containers before tossing them into the recycling bin, you're ensuring that they can be properly processed and turned into new products. Let's work together to reduce waste and conserve resources.
Wondering why you need to clean and dry your plastic before tossing it in the recycle bin? Clean plastic is easier to recycle, and by drying it, you're preventing contamination of other recyclables like paper and cardboard that can affect the recycling process. 💦🌞
Thanks for reminding everyone Forward Times !
Recycling can get confusing at times. Therefore reminders are always needed. So here's your reminder to ensure that you
-Brought to you by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Houston-Galveston Area Council
Putting items, like food or wet paper, in your recycle bin that can’t be recycled can waste time and money at the recycling center. Only put items you know are recyclable 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.
Did you know that recycling paper, including junk mail, cardboard boxes, and office paper, saves money and resources? Every ton of paper recycled can save the energy equivalent of 322 gallons of gasoline. 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.
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
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.
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.
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/
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.
Nice job Keep Dickinson Beautiful ! Sharing the importance of recycling is a great idea. Using a Texas Trashnot skit for your message = FANTASTIC!
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.
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/
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/
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.
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...
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
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.
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.
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/
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/
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/
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/
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/
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.
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/
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
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.
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/
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3555 Timmons Lane
Houston, TX
77027
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Bows and ribbons are great for holiday decorating and gift wrapping, but they aren't so great for recycling. Cloth ribbons and bows can be easily washed and reused year after year. Plastic bows and ribbons can also be reused, but when you are finished with them, throw them away.
Wondering if you can recycle old or unused toys? The answer may be yes. If you don't want to keep playing with them or they aren't in good enough shape to donate to a local charity, some manufacturers will take them back for recycling. But if you don't want to or can't send them back, it's best to simply toss them in the trash. Learn more at https://earth911.com/business-policy/plastic-toy-recycling-mattel-launches-new-program/
Ready to recycle those outdated or broken holiday decorations? Not so fast. Most decorations are made from different types of plastics or glass that can't be recycled easily. If you can't find a reuse for them and they are in good shape, consider donating them to a local charity like Goodwill or The Salvation Army for re-sale. Or, if they are broken and you don't want them anymore, just throw them away!
Remember: Not everything is recyclable. "Tanglers," like hoses and holiday lights can get hung up in machinery at the recycling sorting facility and cost time and money to remove. Throw them in the trash instead.
HGACBuy Cooperative Purchasing Program
Timmons LaneWest Fork Watersheds Partnership
Timmons LaneHouston-Galveston Area Council
Timmons Lane
Near Northwest Management District
Antoine Drive
CCSC - Christian Community Service Center
Branard Street
Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Town Park Drive
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