John Kent

Ever wonder what happens to e-waste? Green Source Texas reporter John Kent toured Universal Recycling Technologies in Fort Worth, the largest electronics recycling operation in the Southwestern U.S. The nearly 200,000 square foot plant diverts 10 million pounds of e-waste per year.

The Welman Project in Fort Worth just celebrated 10 years as it prepares to move to a 25,000-square-foot building, five times the size of its current location. Since the organization began tracking its inventory in 2017, Welman has distributed more $14 million worth of goods to more than 3,400 schools and 550 nonprofits, diverting the equivalent of 1,700 dumpster loads of materials from landfills.

The Green Thistle Emporium, east of downtown Fort Worth, celebrates zero-waste ethos with refillery, handmade upcycled products.

The Fairmount Trash Pirates got its start in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Five years later, the Pirates still gather at least once a month to scour West Magnolia Avenue from Hemphill Street to 8th Avenue.

At least 26 U.S. states and many cities have banned gasoline-powered landscaping equipment due to noise and emissions. Texas allows them, but The Greener Good in Dallas-Fort Worth uses electric equipment for quieter, eco-friendly services. This startup is gaining prestigious clients and promoting industry change.

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is a 120-acre urban sanctuary attracting bats along with 450,000 annual visitors. Hosting five bat species, the garden prioritizes natural pest control, fostering an ideal ecosystem for insect-eating, migratory bats and offering vital ecological services like pollination and pest control.

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.

Turf-grass yards face criticism for their environmental impact, contributing to water waste and pollution. Tim Yatko advocates for native plant landscaping in North Texas, challenging city codes favoring traditional lawns.

Stephen Gault founded EcoMow, a Dallas lawncare business using battery-electric tools to counter noise pollution, with 230 clients four years later. Initially struggling but now expanding, EcoMow helps EGO develop electric equipment. There’s growing interest in quieter, eco-friendly services amid rising environmental awareness.

At dawn, loud and polluting gas leaf blowers invade neighborhoods, disrupting peace. These devices emit significant pollution and noise akin to jets. Electric alternatives are viable, quieter, and cleaner. Cities are shifting to electric blowers, promoting bans and buyback programs to ease transitions while considering lawn care businesses.

In a birding career that has spanned more than half of his life, Ty Allen of Burleson has observed and logged 284 avian species in Johnson County, 371 throughout Texas and 383 in the United States. It’s a count that is continually being revised upward.

Not bad for someone who just turned 19.

The Fort Worth Nature Center, one of the largest U.S. municipal parks, added 29.5 acres, serving as a buffer from commercial activity. This land, approved by the Fort Worth City Council, aids in conservation efforts and may host future developments. The acquisition aligns with long-term preservation goals.