It’s the same thing every year. You’ve spent hours preparing a bountiful meal for your family and friends, but now you’ve got an array of leftovers…
Skip the sandwich and try this recipe instead. You’ll need:
• Whole wheat tortillas
• Leftover turkey (chopped or…, Give this simple stir-fry a shot. Gather up:
• 1 cup of fresh broccoli florets
• ½ a red onion sliced
• …, Having people over? Skip over the same old boring dips and change it up with your leftover turkey. Guests will flip for this dip! The ingredients are…, Always end up with extra cranberry sauce? Add them to your breakfast. You need only a few ingredients and a glass jar!
• 3…, These patties make a perfect side or snack. You’ll need:
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons of finely…, Ultimately, you’re going to end up with holiday leftovers, so having a plan in place makes it easier to waste less. If you can’t incorporate all your…
The holiday season is a time to spread joy and cultivate creativity. For young students, crafting can be an excellent way to develop their artistic…
Transform empty toilet paper rolls into cheerful snowmen with this fun craft idea:
First, collect empty toilet paper rolls and have students…, Use popsicle sticks to create adorable reindeer ornaments that kids will love:
Do you have extra popsicle sticks sitting in a drawer just…, Put those recyclable newspapers to good use by creating newspaper Christmas trees:
There are several ways you can get enough newspapers for…, Turn leftover paper plates into a jolly paper plate Santa Claus:
With this craft you’ll want to give each student a paper plate to paint it red…, Create stunning and eco-friendly ornaments using recycled paper materials:
Start by collecting and cutting paper scraps from colored…
Enter to Win
Make memories, not waste, this holiday season! Pledge to Take Care of Texas and you could win a luxury weekend getaway to Austin…
Contest Terms
Participants must complete all steps to be entered to win the Celebrate More contest prize. Entries must be complete by midnight CST…
Even though it might be just whimsical holiday fun, decorating trees in public spaces like highways, sidewalks and parks is doing more harm than you…
As enjoyable as this activity might be, in general it’s not a great idea to decorate a tree in a public space. Aside from the…,
Don’t lose your holiday hope just yet. If you feel you simply must decorate a tree in a public space, there are ways to do it in an…, I hope I don’t sound like Ebenezer Scrooge when I talk about decorating outdoor trees. It’s only that this activity leaves a lot of room for…
Find the official rules for our current contests below.
Celebrate More, Waste Less
Kids Art Contest (K-5)
Take Care of Texas Video Contest (6th-12th grade)
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 –…
The new year is a good time to make some changes. Most resolutions are based on personal goals or growth, but by the third week of January many of us…
Switching from paper to electronic billing helps the planet by reducing paper usage and cutting down on carbon emissions from paper production.…, While we’re on the topic of saving paper, why not try an e-receipt? E-receipts are digital receipts that are sent to customers electronically via…, An easy swap to try at home is washing your clothes in cold water instead of hot water. It conserves energy by not using as much power to heat the…, Another laundry related energy saver is to skip the dryer and take those clothes outside. You can hang your laundry on a clothesline or rack and go…, Paper towels are convenient, but they have a huge impact on the environment. They also produce a large amount of waste. Switching to reusable…, This might be a tougher one to stick to, and even a little intimidating at first, but planning out your meals can benefit your health, your wallet,…, Another small and impactful step for reducing waste is replacing items in your home with reusable counterparts. Reusable containers are eco-friendly…, Composting is fantastic for the environment! It reduces the amount of organic waste sent to landfills. Composting turns waste into nutrient-rich soil…, Another quick and easy adjustment is changing the temperature setting on your water heater. The common temperature is 140 degrees, but many household…, We want less clutter. Many of us have unwanted items to get rid of, and most of us try to knock out this task at the beginning of the year. Whether…, Many of us incorporate getting more movement in for the new year. While out on your morning walk or hike, why not take a few minutes to pick up…, A faucet that leaks at a rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water a year. That’s the equivalent of 180 showers! If you…, Choosing eco-friendly New Year’s resolutions can have a significant positive impact on our planet. By incorporating these greener resolutions,…
Preparing for a deep freeze event means more than just keeping warm and comfortable. It also means saving you from costly home repairs and wasting…
During a deep freeze, your pipes can burst. In addition to wasting lots of water, this floods your home causing massive and expensive damage.…, If you opt to leave your main water valve open, drip your faucets to prevent the pipes from bursting. Be sure to save the water that accumulates…, Some people shut off their main water line and drain their pipes BEFORE a deep freeze. This is done to ensure that no pipes will burst. The water won…,
It’s a lot like shopping for gifts on Christmas Eve. If you wait until the last few hours before a storm arrives to stock up on faucet coverings…, Hire a chimney sweep to clean out your fireplace and chimney. It removes the soot and, more importantly, the creosote buildup that can start a…,
If you’ve been trimming your trees, it’s likely you have extra firewood stored away--and you’ve kept it out of a landfill. If that wood is cured…, Many garages aren’t climate controlled or insulated, so they get pretty cold during a freeze. However, you should still keep your garage door closed…, Keep a few cases of bottled water on hand. If you lose water pressure, you’ll be very glad you have extra drinking water readily available. It’s…,
If you have a bathroom or kitchen sink fixed to an exterior wall, open the cabinet underneath it where the plumbing is exposed. Doing so will…,
The adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is certainly applicable in this context. A little preparation for extreme cold events…
Chocolates and flowers are so overdone. Instead of spending money on physical gifts that eventually end up in the landfill, invest in the gift of an…
The State Task Force on Texas Nature Tourism defines ecotourism as “the discretionary travel to natural areas that conserves […] environmental,…, Planning an ecotourism trip for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day has a lot of benefits for the planet and the communities living near ecotourism…, Fort Worth Botanic Garden – Fort Worth, TXFort Worth Botanic Garden is the oldest major botanical garden in Texas and contains over 2,500 different…, Zilker Metropolitan Park – Austin, TXSpend the day with your love at Zilker Park in Austin! The park features numerous picnic areas, a botanical…, Sea Turtle, Inc – South Padre Island, TXDive into the world of sea turtle rescue! Take a trip to Sea Turtle, Inc where you can meet turtles and take…, Lake Fork – Lake Fork, TXPlan a visit to Lake Fork where you can go fishing, boating, birding, hiking, and camping. Daingerfield State Park –…, Twistflower Ranch – Ozona, TXTwistflower Ranch is a great getaway destination for this Valentine’s Day. There are tons of outdoor opportunities like…, The list doesn’t stop here! Sign the Take Care of Texas pledge and you will be mailed a FREE “Texas State Parks: Official Guide” with a list of state…
Texas is home to some of the most unique wildlife, people, and places in the nation. A new partnership between Texas PBS stations and the Texas…
Texas PBS and TCEQ are teaming up to build more awareness of important ways we can all protect and conserve what's unique about Texas.
The…, The Texas Wildlife: Our Future film premieres on Texas PBS stations across the state on Jan. 31 at 9 pm CT.
From award-winning director, Ben…, Texas PBS stations and TCEQ are collaborating to build awareness of ways Texans can conserve our natural resources. Join us in keeping our air and…, Take Care of Texas has designed a collection of free lesson plans and student worksheets designed to spark activities, lessons, and discussions about…
Educators spend countless hours in their classroom so of course they want it to be as warm and welcoming as possible for their students. Creating a…
Reduce eyestrain and the glare of fluorescent lights with light filters. These filters create a more comfortable environment by reducing glare and…, You don’t have to rely exclusively on overhead lighting. Accent lamps provide additional lighting, helping with visibility, and creating a well-lit…, String lights are a fun way to liven up a classroom! Drape them across the wall, along the bulletin board, or above the whiteboard. The soft glow of…, If you’re looking for a change from string lights, give remote-controlled LED light strips a try. Available online for around $15, these lights come…, Instead of adding extra lights, liven up your windowless classroom with faux windows. Available online, these adhesive sheets don’t leave a mark,…, Take advantage of a pleasant day by taking your class outside where you won’t use any energy! Find some shade or a cozy spot and inspire your…, Make your classroom brighter by adding an accent wall (a wall painted in a distinct color) if your school allows it. Accent walls can instantly liven…, If you have windows in your classroom, utilize that natural light! Turn off those overhead lights and conserve energy by letting the sunshine in.…, It’s important to remind students to turn off lights when not needed, use natural light whenever possible, and conserve energy whenever they…
Weddings are joyous occasions that celebrate love and union. As we strive to become more conscious of our impact on the planet, it’s valuable to…
Give the couple the gift of a peaceful and sustainable night’s sleep with organic bedding. Made from natural fibers like organic cotton or bamboo,…, Help the newlyweds minimize waste in their kitchen with reusable alternatives. Consider gifting a set of stainless-steel straws or beeswax food wraps…, Add a touch of nature to the couple’s new home by gifting them an assortment of indoor plants. Not only do houseplants enhance the aesthetic appeal…, Consider eco-friendly home decor options such as handmade pottery, reclaimed wood frames, or recycled glassware. These unique pieces add a personal…, Equip the newlyweds with the tools they need to embark on a zero-waste journey. Put together a kit that includes reusable shopping bags, stainless…, Instead of buying physical gifts, consider experience-based presents that create lasting memories without generating waste. Gift the couple a cooking…
We have received your submission. Thank you for participating in the Take Care of Texas Kids Art Contest.Receive the latest contest information by…
Feb. 5, 2024 - Partnership to promote statewide conservation campaign
TCEQ’s Take Care of Texas program announced a new partnership with Texas PBS as part of a statewide awareness campaign about ways Texans can protect…
Looking for Take Care of Texas free publications? Order free copies from our Resources page.
Have a question about environmental regulation? …