There are many products available that contain gases and mixtures of gases stored in a pressurized steel container. You are probably most familiar…
If you deposit one of these tanks in the main recycling stream, it will get mixed in with everything else, contaminating the recycling stream. If the…, To reduce the health and safety risks from mismanagement, here are a few ways you can dispose of an “empty” propane tank:
Refill it! Many…, If the tank is damaged, it’s time to retire it. As we’ve noted, your curbside recycle bin is NOT the right way. Here are some other options to…, If you’re visiting one of Texas’ lovely state parks, you may have packed a small camp stove that uses those little green 16-ounce propane canisters.…
For every item that is put into a recycling bin, there is a new opportunity waiting on the other side, thanks to the manufacturers who make products…
Texas is home to a variety of manufacturers using recycled material feedstocks, including:
Paper and paperboard manufacturers turning recycled…, “Consumers are asking for more sustainable products and packaging,” reports Jason Ball, President of Reterra, a chemical PET recycler based in…,
Texas has a big recycling economy, and it needs more (and cleaner) feedstock to keep it running! One of the biggest challenges for manufacturers…
Texas classrooms can learn about conservation, recycling, and reducing waste with new lesson plans and activities available in PBS LearningMedia.…
Explore a brand-new PBS LearningMedia collection featuring six lesson plan units, aligned with Texas teaching standards. Tailored for K-12 classrooms…, Ready to make a difference? Pledge to keep our air and water clean, conserve water and energy, and reduce waste. To thank you for your pledge, we'll…
With the holiday season on our doorstep, it’s important to prepare for any events you might attend or host. A little bit of planning will go a long…
Cooler weather gives us so much to look forward to. We see friends, attend parties, eat food, and generally enjoy the holiday season. An unfortunate…,
If you use propane to heat the meat (and vegetables), dispose of your propane tank properly. An empty propane tank can’t be placed in your…,
When hosting a game watching party, avoid single-use disposable plates and cups. Instead, opt for traditional dinnerware. Think of it like this:…,
If you’re going to dress up in a costume, a little bit of planning can save you from buying needless items that will only get thrown away on…,
It seems like nothing generates more fat than an oven-roasted turkey. While some of the leftover fat and grease may be used in the gravy, the…,
Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are traditionally celebrated by giving gifts. This year, instead of buying disposable wrapping paper, try using…
Fall is on the way and with that comes football season and, in Texas, that means one thing—tailgating. If you aren’t familiar with tailgating, it’s…
Let’s start at the beginning, going to the stadium. Meet your family and friends at someone’s house before heading out to the game and carpooling…, As you are packing up the car, include several bins to hold the recycling, compost, and trash. Avoid mix ups by clearly labeling each bin for their…, When thinking about utensils, plates, and cups, try opting for disposable or compostable options that will easily break down in a landfill or compost…, This tip is becoming more and more common but it's always good to remind your family and friends that the ideal item to bring is a reusable bottle.…, Speaking of drinks, let’s talk about a better way to bring your favorite refreshing drink without bringing in more packaging or trash. Many local…, Now that you have the utensils and growlers packed, it's time to look at the food options you are bringing to the tailgate. Tailgates are all about…, When getting ready to put that meat on the grill think about using a propane grill instead of charcoal. Compared to charcoal, propane produces…, In need of some napkins or cleaning cloths? Look no further than your closet. Take any team shirts, sweatshirts, or bandanas that are too small or…, Don’t forget to bring decorations that show your pride for your team. Instead of buying balloons or other plastic or paper decorations consider…, Finally, before heading out to the tailgate pack an extra cooler to hold any leftovers or other items that need to stay cool. The last thing you want…
Like many of your fellow Texans, you may be spending more time at home while practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. During…
Here are some proactive steps to help you save on your water and utility bills and Take Care of Texas while at home!
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Lights and lightbulbs – Turn off lights when you’re not using them at home. This can reduce energy consumption and costs while helping keep the…,
Use less water - One easy step is to take shorter showers. Set a timer for 5-7 minutes and encourage others you live with to do the same. Also…,
Dishwasher - Washing dishes by hand consumes nearly 7,000 more gallons of water a year than using a dishwasher. Operating automatic dishwashers…
With summer fast approaching, we've got some fun enviro-friendly vacay tips for you and your crew!
Whether it's a sunny beach retreat or an invigorating hiking excursion, summer vacation often entails traveling to a fun destination. Enviro-friendly…, Paper products, dishware, and some travel items such as camping gear are now made of recycled materials. Purchasing items that are made of recycled…, Whether it's a sub sandwich or a new pair of pool googles, some packaging may be recyclable. It is important to learn what can be recycled before…, If you're traveling by car, try the following to keep your car running smoothly and cleanly:
Reduce exhaust and improve air quality by keeping…, If you're looking for some enviro-forward games, check the options below to keep the whole family entertained!
Pass the time by playing Texas Travel…,
If a staycation is the name of your game, nuzzle-up to these environmentally friendly ideas at home.
Not everyone will be hitting the road to take…
Did you know that potentially harmful items could be lurking around every corner of your home? Some items as innocent as cleaning products and paint…
Oil-based paints are hazardous for their flammable characteristics and may contain toxic solvents such as xylene and toluene. Water-based paints are…, Automotive batteries and rechargeable batteries, like those found in laptops, phones, and cameras, should never be placed in curbside recycling or…, Prescription and over-the-counter medications that are expired or no longer used should always be appropriately discarded. TCEQ discourages flushing…, Households with members who do self-injections for medical reasons may produce a large number of syringes and sharps. Needles and syringes should…, Some household cleaning products can pose a health and environmental risk if they are not properly disposed of. Ammonia, bleach, toilet cleaners,…, Fluorescent light bulbs – including tubes, compact fluorescent bulbs, high-intensity discharge lamps, bug zappers, black lights, and neon lights –…
Make your teacher wish list eco-friendly by adding these books that focus on ways students of all ages can help take care of our environment. Books…
These four books are colorfully illustrated and easy for students in lower grades to read, understand, and apply in the real world. A summary of each…, Focusing on older students and their growing curiosity during their time in middle school, these books are perfect for exploring ways to help the…, Moving on to high school, the following books focus on more ways that students can make an impact even into adulthood. From small projects that reuse…, There are so many more books that are focused on eco-friendly habits that will make a true difference in the world. Learning these habits and…
Download free lesson plans and student worksheets geared towards environmental topics around Air, Water, and Waste. Using insights and data from TCEQ…
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Creator
Type
Summary
TEKS
Resources
Introduction to Air Quality
Take Care of Texas
Air
Understand the basics of air quality, discover the…,
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Creator
Type
Summary
TEKS
Resources
Making Recycled Paper Lesson Plan
Take Care of Texas
Waste
Get elementary and middle school students…,
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CREATOR
TYPE
Summary
TEKS
Resources
Community Awareness Plan
Take Care of Texas
Water
Brainstorm any discovered water quality problems to…
Each year, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, partnered with the Governor's Office, recognizes the efforts of Texans who are doing their…
The winners are nominated by members of their respective communities and vetted through a rigorous selection process at TCEQ. The celebration…,
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Benjamin Rawald inspired his community to plant over 150,000 milkweed seeds to help the environmentally vital…,
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AP Biology teacher Andrew Brinker inspires his students to act locally for the environment, and to pursue a future…,
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Corina Fuentes Garza inspires here AP Environmental Science course—a course she created—to become environmental stewards…,
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The City of Frisco is leading the way with their innovative recycling program, helping residents responsibly dispose of…,
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Keep Texas Recycling has helped rural Texas access recycling education and services for over 25 years.
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An innovative outreach campaign has helped the New Braunfels Utilities save hundreds of thousands of dollars and…,
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Over 11,000 students have benefited from a visit to the restored Blackland Prairie at Austin College' Sneed Prairie…,
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The Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center has companies state-wide to save energy, conserve water, and redirect…, The Keep Brownsville Beautiful Youth Advisory Board helped coordinate 29 beautification projects.