Recycling

E-commerce growth has led to increased cardboard waste in DFW, often sent to landfills instead of recycling. Dallas and Fort Worth promote recycling education to counter this trend, emphasizing breaking down boxes for recycling bins or drop-off stations. Effective waste separation is crucial to prolong landfill life.

With the election over, properly disposing of campaign signs is crucial to avoid environmental harm. Dallas offers recycling for signs at transfer stations, while other Texas areas have specific guidelines. Signs not accepted for recycling should be reused or discarded properly, avoiding wish-cycling practices.

Bubble wrap should not go in curbside bins but can be recycled at some stores. Recycling facilities separate materials by type, using advanced technology. Many items can’t be recycled due to contamination or improper sorting. Education and correct recycling practices are crucial to improve the process.

You can toss used or discarded paper into curbside recycling bins to keep it out of the landfill. But most people want their sensitive documents shredded first. Some cities and businesses offer free paper shredding events. Unfortunately, those events are typically held only a few times a year.

Green Tip Guy: Turn over a new leaf and save paper Jason encourages us to be conscious of our paper usage and shares a playful suggestion. *Photo by Julie Thibodeaux.*

The Dallas Zoo has partnered with Silver Creek Materials to recycle animal manure into retail compost called Zoo Poo. This initiative supports sustainability goals, with a portion of sales funding wildlife conservation. Silver Creek, a seasoned recycler, handles the zoo's herbivore waste, sold in stores and the zoo's gift shop.

Christmas Light Source, a Fort Worth-based business, offers free recycling of old or broken holiday lights and donates proceeds to Toys for Tots. The program processes thousands of pounds of lights annually, involving efficient recycling and selling old lights.

In North Texas, recycling campaign signs can be challenging as cities like Dallas and Fort Worth don’t allow them in residential recycling. Some private recyclers accept parts of the signs, while political parties often reuse stakes and recycle dated signs. Garland permits corrugated-plastic sign recycling curbside.

Nicole Gorretta transformed TCU's sustainability efforts since 2016. She initiated recycling programs, banned Styrofoam, and organized the campus's first Earth Day Fair, leaving a lasting impact on environmental stewardship. Her leadership inspired lasting institutional change, ensuring the university's commitment to sustainability endures beyond her graduation.

Jason tells a scary tale about plastic trash run amuk.