'Tis the season to get together and celebrate, Texas-style, but that doesn't mean our impact on Texas landfills has to be as big as the parties and…
Instead of paper invitations, opt for digital options. Not only does this reduce paper, but it also saves money as you won't need envelopes or…,
Plan your shopping list ahead of time. Include the exact items you need and the appropriate quantities. Account for any food preferences or dietary…,
Use real plates, cups, napkins, and utensils instead of disposable options, if possible. While disposable partyware is appealing, as it cuts down on…,
Encourage your guests to bring reusable food containers to the party. That way, they can take any leftovers home with them. Or, if you have an…,
If your holiday celebration includes a gift exchange, be mindful of the wrapping. Let your guests know they can bring their gifts unwrapped or…, It's easy to make simple changes to our holiday celebrations that can make a big impact. Take the pledge for more holiday tips!
When we see litter along roads and in green spaces, it’s easy to assume it all originates from people intentionally discarding trash. While there are…
Even household trash can become litter. Loose or missing garbage lids, gusty winds, and curious critters like raccoons can scatter your waste…,
Driving along Texas roads and highways, you’ve likely seen countless pickup trucks and 18-wheelers hauling all kinds of materials. When these…,
Retail businesses often produce large amounts of packaging and delivery waste. If dumpsters aren’t covered properly, trash can spill out and…,
Construction and demolition sites are notorious sources of litter, especially when debris isn’t secured with tarps or placed in proper…,
We get some unpredictable and dangerous weather in Texas. Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and high winds can carry trash far from its original…,
Car wrecks and tire blowouts can leave behind a trail of debris—tiny shards of plastic, scattered glass, and chunks of rubber. Despite emergency…, By having a greater understanding of the many sources of litter, we can make some better choices in our daily lives to reduce the overall impact of…
What exactly is Household Hazardous Waste? The Environmental Protection Agency considers HHW to be “leftover household products that can…
Products that may become HHW are often readily accessible and contain labels that read “DANGER”, “WARNING”, or “CAUTION.” Some examples of household…, Do NOT assume your garage or storage shed is the best place to store HHW. It is very important to carefully follow the suggested storage practices…, It is best to keep all hazardous products in their original containers. If you must transfer a product into another container, make sure the new…, The more hazardous products you own, the more may need to be disposed of as HHW. Source reduction is a practice that reduces waste before it has the…, It is important to understand that HHW disposal is a risk to human health and the environment. While some products, such as chlorine, may be…
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…
Paper waste is a common issue in many households and workplaces, but reducing it can help save resources and minimize environmental impact. By making…
Go DigitalAn easy way to start is switching to paperless billing and online banking statements. Not only does it reduce unwanted clutter and paper…, Unsubscribe from JunkReduce unwanted paper mail by opting out of catalogs and promotional flyers. Cutting clutter from your mailbox gives you control…, Reducing paper use is a simple yet effective way to be more eco-friendly. By making these small changes, we can help conserve resources and create a…
Each spring, millions of migrating birds travel through Texas. Our state plays an important role in bird migration because of its key geographical…
Birds migrate during the following periods:
Spring Migration Dates*
• Full Spring Migration Period: March 1 – June 15• …, Many migrating birds travel at night, using the light of the moon and stars to travel. As they pass over cities, they can become disoriented by the…, Large windows or sliding doors can be hazardous for migrating birds, as birds can’t see glass. Place decals or other markers on windows to prevent…, Flying requires lots of energy, and providing high-quality food through feeders can help birds fuel up for their destination. If you can, try…, Creating shelter can be done in various ways. Plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers to provide natural shelter and nesting spots. Install…, Keep your backyard tidy. Implement waste management practices to prevent litter and pollution including proper disposal of garbage and recycling.…, Minimize the use of pesticides in your garden and yard to maintain a bird-friendly environment. Find more information on managing lawn problems…, Understand the migratory patterns and specific needs of the bird species in your region to tailor your backyard preparations accordingly. You can…, By implementing these measures, you can help make the journey easier for migrating bird populations. For more resources on how to support bird…
Have you ever encountered a used couch mysteriously discarded in a field, or had to roll away an old car tire that has become a mosquito haven? These…
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality defines illegal dumping as the disposal, transportation for disposal, or allowance of disposal of…,
TCEQ worked with stakeholders at a problematic tire disposal site to remove 1.4 million tires and recycle 24.6 tons of…, If you have an item that can’t easily be recycled or thrown in the trash, consider the following:
Contact your local waste…, TCEQ is available 24 hours a day to receive complaints under our authority. Texans can use our online complaint form, or call toll-free at 888-…
Considering going green for Valentine’s Day? Want to promote environmental conservation? Interested in helping Take Care of Texas with your Valentine…
Below you’ll find Texas- and environmental-themed Valentine’s Day cards from Take Care of Texas that you can share with your friends, family, or…, Note: You can save a full-sized image by right-clicking a card and opening the image in a new tab. If you are using a mobile device, you can save the…, We hope you enjoy these cards as much as we enjoyed making them. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Some insects bite, some may sting; many will annoy. Some are even considered destructive to homes, crops, and gardens. But the fact is, most insects…
Read on to find out which bugs are beneficial, what they do for us, and how to attract them.
, Pollinators
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from one flowering plant to another, resulting in fertile seeds. Pollinator insects include…, Predators
Predators are insects that hunt for their food, catching, killing, and eating a wide variety of other insects. Some types of predators,…, Parasitoids
In nature, parasites usually only weaken or sicken their hosts; parasitoids, however, kill and consume their hosts.
Parasitic…, Decomposers/Recyclers
A decomposer’s job begins when the life of another organism ends. Decomposers break down the complicated compounds in dead…, Keep your garden healthy by providing appropriate moisture, drainage, and air circulation. Including flowering plants will help ensure that these…
Every year, parents, teachers, and students purchase new school supplies, lose old supplies, and throw away tons of food and other school materials.…
Reducing waste leads to benefits such as decreased costs and increased income (if your school can find a buyer for your recycled materials), energy…, To get you started, the Environmental Protection Agency has a detailed guide on how to reduce waste in schools. The guide explains how schools,…,
Don’t Buy What You Don’t Need — Before shopping for next year’s school supplies, look through last year’s and check for any items that can be reused…,
Play First, Eat Later - Scheduling recess before lunch can reduce plate waste, the amount of food discarded by students, by as much as 30%. …
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,…
When it comes to disposing of food waste, many of us have developed the habit of simply rinsing it down the kitchen sink. However, food items can…
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) come from meat fats, shortening, butter, margarine, gravy, and condiments like mayonnaise, dressings, sauces, and sour…, While coffee grounds may appear harmless, they can clump together and create a thick sludge in your drains. Instead of pouring them down the sink,…, During the holidays, no single ingredient is used more than eggs. From every dish cooked to every dessert baked, and even for snacks in between, eggs…, Peels from fruits and vegetables may seem harmless, but they really are not. Instead, utilize these peels by incorporating them in recipes, making…, Curbing the habit of tossing everything down the drain is a great way to make sure your pipes are ready for the holiday season, but maintaining your…