Holiday excitement this time of year sends many Texans into a flurry of decorating their homes, schools, and offices. The star of most holiday…
Many lighting formats, including string lights, nets, ropes, icicles, and lights of various sizes, are available in an LED option. LED lights…,
Let the sun shine on your holiday with solar-powered lights! These eco-friendly options harness sunlight during the day to bring joyous light to…,
Simply plugging your lights in and leaving them on all night wastes energy. When installing your lights and decorations, save energy and money by…,
Electronic holiday decorations often take a beating from the elements and tend to come out of storage mysteriously tangled and damaged. Keep them…,
If you have curb-side recycling, you should not “wishcycle” by putting string lights in the bin, as this only contaminates the stream. Instead,…, This holiday season, make your light display both festive and sustainable. Take Care of Texas by conserving energy, minimizing waste, and brightening…
This is the season when many people are thinking about changes they would like to make in their lives. The new year provides us with a time to…
Incorporate local farmers markets into your regular shopping schedules. Locally-grown produce travels a shorter distance from the farm to your plate…, An easy way to tackle food waste is by composting. You can start your own compost bin or participate in a curbside composting program, if there is…, Do you ever feel like you might be recycling incorrectly, or occasionally throwing out items that could be recycled? Avoid wishcycling and learn the…, Think about the products you use every day. Do many contain plastic? Each stage of plastic's life cycle—from raw materials to manufacturing to…, An easy way to make your resolutions stick is by bringing your family and friends into your resolutions with you. Meet up with friends at a farmers…
The importance of clean, available water cannot be understated. August is Water Quality Month—a great opportunity to learn about how your actions and…
One of the biggest water quality challenges that Texas communities face is fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in sinks and products like “wipes” and…, Communities all over Texas are taking responsibility for their water quality with powerful results:
Defend Your Drains North Texas supplies…, Now that you’ve seen how dedicated Texas communities are working to preserve water quality, it’s your turn to assess your practices at home, work,…,
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Plastic Free July is an initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation that strives to create a future free of plastic waste. Participants are encouraged…
The Environmental Protection Agency estimated that only 13.6% of plastic containers and packaging were recycled in 2018. Initiatives like Plastic…, Shop in bulk. Check local grocery stores for bulk bins that carry nuts, seeds, grains, and other dry foods. Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, and Sprouts…, Avoid buying new clothing with plastic fibers. Polyester, nylon, and acrylic are the most popular synthetic fabrics that make it into our clothing.…, Bring a reusable utensil set with you to work. Carrying a utensil set with you means you’ll never need to use those flimsy plastic forks from the…, Swap out your plastic toothbrush with a bamboo alternative. Bamboo is a fast-growing renewable and biodegradable resource, making it a much more…, Plastic Free July isn’t about achieving a 100% plastic-free lifestyle, it’s about adopting new habits that help reduce plastic pollution and keep our…
Did you know your purchases have power? Buying local and choosing products made with recycled materials doesn’t just help the environment, it also…
Buying items that were made or grown locally reduces the fuel and resources required to transport them. This results in less pollution. Buying local…, When we purchase goods made from recovered materials, we are doing our part to “close the loop” on the recycling process, in which post-consumer…
Now that the weather allows us to venture outside, how can we Take Care of Texas while picnicking?
There’s not much better than a bright Texas day…
The quickest way to reduce picnic waste is to ditch the disposables. Instead of paper plates, plastic utensils, and single-use cups, opt for:
•…, Design your menu with waste reduction in mind. Choose snacks and meals that don’t need a lot of packaging, and try these tips:
• …, Plastic wrap, chip bags, and sandwich baggies are common picnic items—but they’re also some of the most wasteful. Instead, try:
• …, Even with the best planning, some trash might sneak in. Make sure you’re ready to deal with it responsibly.
• Bring a small…, Many Texas parks and green spaces are doing their part to protect the environment. Support their efforts by:
• Respecting park…, Picnics are all about enjoyment—and with a few sustainable swaps, you can enjoy your time outside and Take Care of Texas. By reducing waste, planning…
It is that time of year again: back to school! With millions of Texas students preparing to head back to the classroom, it’s an important time to…
As office supply stores, big box stores, and online retailers start to release their school supply and back-to-school clothes ads, remember to check…, Lunchtime is most students’ favorite time of the day. This is a great opportunity to reduce waste while providing fuel for growing bodies.
Use a…, Texas summertime heat can make the school pick-up and drop-off line challenging. While it seems easy to run the engine to keep the AC flowing in your…, Reduce waste in the classroom by using digital resources instead of paper whenever possible.
Download lesson plans from our extensive library…
The winter solstice has passed which means the days will finally start getting longer. In the meantime, it’s important to be mindful of how our…
Light pollution is the brightening of the night sky caused by excessive artificial lighting from streetlights, outdoor lights, electronic advertising…, • Unnecessary lighting and light that shines when and where it’s not needed is wasteful environmentally and economically. It is estimated that at…, Follow the Five Principles of Light to Protect the Night.UsefulUse light only where it is needed. Before installing a light, consider if the light is…, • When replacing old bulbs, make sure you know how to dispose of your old ones properly. Some bulbs, like fluorescents, contain small amounts of…, Brighter doesn’t always mean better! Outdoor lights that are overly bright, unshielded, or spilling beyond where they’re needed can negatively affect…
As the school year winds down, learning does not have to end. Students can continue learning all summer long! Extending learning beyond the classroom…
Getting kids involved in hands-on activities is a great way to cure summer boredom and expand their knowledge during their summer break. Read on for…, These educational resources can be a great starting point to introduce your kids to the importance of conservation. They can learn about important…, Use the conservation cue cards activity during a rainy summer day and discuss the many ways we can conserve water and energy at home. Print the…, Another way to get kids involved is using chores to start discussions on conservation. When kids help with washing dishes, discuss turning off the…, Find ways to get your kids involved in gardening. Start by using the Guide to Yard Care to find helpful information and landscaping tips.
Start…, Teach your kids about the recycling process—and let them experience it for themselves—by making recycled paper! This is a fun project for kids and…, Send your kids on a field trip without leaving the house! Through this series of Virtual Field Trips, kids can follow along with scientists as they…
For Spring 2021, we’re highlighting Waste Management as our Proud Partner of the Quarter.
WM has been supporting the Take Care of Texas Video Contest for several years and Take Care of Texas appreciates their generous…, A: Our leadership serves with a focus on maximizing resource value while minimizing—or even eliminating—environmental impact so that both our economy…, A: Waste Management supports and participates in the annual TCEQ Conference. We also attend the annual Texas Environmental Excellence Awards …, A: We are responsible stewards of the environment and champions for sustainability. Our world is constantly changing. So, we're constantly seeking to…, A: At Waste Management we partner with organizations and communities that we work with, as our employees live and work in the very same…, A: Put your people (employees) first and get involved! Great things can happen when we pool our resources. Our employees are the most…, Check out Waste Management’s Recycle Right, a helpful resource to assist you in recycling at your home or business.