As every resident of this state knows, Texas is the best place on Earth. So celebrate this Earth Day by Taking Care of Texas right where you are! Whether you’re in a small town, a booming city, or somewhere in between, you can do your part on Earth Day and every other day of the year. Check out the list and hyperlinks below for the Texas 20:
1. Start a compost bin or pile at home for food waste and compostable materials. To get started, check out this composting video, as well as this downloadable Guide to Yard Care (or order a free copy).
2. Did you know that every Texan adds about five pounds of waste to landfills daily? Recycling is a great way to reduce your waste, but make sure you’re not wish-cycling.
3. Print and sign the Green Action Pledge as a reminder to yourself to make personal conservation a regular habit. Hang it somewhere you’ll see it daily. We recommend the fridge!
4. Treat the toilet like a toilet, not a trash can. Flushing trash, wipes (even “flushable” ones), paper towels, masks, and sanitary napkins can cause plumbing issues in your home and even at your Water Treatment Facility. Learn what shouldn’t be flushed in this video.
5. Got an irrigation system? Proper seasonal care and maintenance will keep your system working efficiently and prevent costly repairs from burst pipes and leaks. Learn how to prepare your irrigation system for the spring. Here's a video about winter preparation as well.
6. Why pay to water your yard or plants when you can water for free? This Rainwater Harvesting Guide will help you calculate how much rainwater you can collect for your watering needs.
7. Don't dump fats, oils, and greases (FOG) down the drain. FOG in the drain leads to clogged pipes and contaminated water. Collect FOG in a sealable container and dispose of it with your regular trash. Share these tips with your friends, because clean pipes are green pipes!
8. It’s bluebonnet season! Time to get out and take your annual Texas spring selfie among the wildflowers. Do you know if it’s illegal to pick our state flower?
9. Learn how to conserve and reduce waste for the benefit of your wallet and the environment. Here are five simple ways you can:
10. Ever wonder what to do with used batteries? Single-use batteries often wind up in the trash. Reusable batteries and charging banks help reduce the number of batteries that end up in landfills. Learn how to properly dispose of all battery types when they're no longer useful.
11. Shorten your showers to save water at home. On average, taking a shower saves more water than taking a bath. Set a timer to help limit your water use in the bathroom.
12. Practice the three R’s of waste reduction: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Try applying the three R’s to purchase decisions and waste disposal. Avoid buying items with excessive packaging, reuse items as many times as you can, and recycle everything you can according to local guidance. Get inspired by reading about the many successes that Texans have had in reducing waste in recent years.
13. Want to partner with Take Care of Texas in bigger, more meaningful ways? Join the ranks of other environmentally conscious organizations by prompting your organization to become a Proud Partner.
14. Want to prevent waste from heading straight for the landfill? Use this Texas School Recycling Guide to get you started. It’s a great resource for offices, too!
15. Turn conservation activities into a game with these Bingo Boards.
16. Peruse our library of lesson plans for educators, which includes topics ranging from keeping our air and water clean to composting and recycling. All lessons are TEKS-aligned for seamless classroom integration.
17. When you think of a scientist, what images come to mind? Confront stereotypes in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) with the Envision video series featuring TCEQ staff of color who work in technical careers at the agency. This series is perfect for students in middle and early high school.
18. Bust boredom with Texas symbol coloring pages! This unique Texas-themed activity is great for all ages—in the classroom, at home, or maybe even the office.
19. Want more boredom busters? Download or order free copies of this educational Activity Book for kids in grades K-5. It’s also available in Spanish.
20. Ever wonder what it’s like to make your own commercial? Hundreds of 6–12th graders filmed their own public service announcements through our annual Video Contest. Watch the winning videos and share them with friends!
