Houston Environmental News Update November 13, 2019

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America Recycles Day & Week, Prairies & Pollinators, Spring Creek Nature Trail Field Trip, SPARK Parks Week, Green Jobs, and more

This Friday, November 15, is America Recycles Day–a program of Keep America Beautiful— and part of National Recycling Week.

You can celebrate ARD in many ways by accepting a recycling challenge, or by participating in the following events:

Two years ago, when we wrote about America Recycles Day, we were celebrating the return of recycling in the City of Houston after Harvey. The City of Houston has since entered into a new recycling contract, has begun sending recyclables to a new facility, and restarted collection of glass. Hooray!

Unfortunately, the amount of contamination in the recyclables collected by the City is high, and high contamination means less will be recycled and the value of the recyclable materials is less. By being a better recycler, you can help the City of Houston, or any recycling program, be more successful. The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Department wants all Houston residents to recycle every bottle, can, piece of paper and cardboard they have within their home; and to look for ways to reduce their waste and recycling generation by buying fewer single-use items. “If we could achieve this, we would have a very successful program!” writes Deputy Director Sarah Mason.writes Sarah Mason, the City of Houston’s Recycling Division Manager.Unfortunately, the amount of contamination in the recyclables collected by the City is high, and high contamination means less will be recycled and the value of the recyclable materials is less. By being a better recycler, you can help the City of Houston, or any recycling program, be more successful. The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Department wants all Houston residents to recycle every bottle, can, piece of paper and cardboard they have within their home; and to look for ways to reduce their waste and recycling generation by buying fewer single-use items. “If we could achieve this, we would have a very successful program!” writes writes Sarah Mason, the City of Houston’s Recycling Division Manager.

So how can you do better? Make sure containers are “clean and empty” before tossing them in the recycle cart. Include “bottles, jugs and tubs” from the “kitchen, bath and laundry” areas of the house–this helps define the plastic items more easily than the number of the resin codes.

Beware of wishcycling! Some things you HOPE are recyclable, but present challenges that make recycling infeasible. Common wishcycling problems include items that are made of plastic (ex: toys, forks, pens, etc.) but are either not the right size, shape, or density to be recovered in a Material Recovery Facility (MRF–or recyling facility). Equally problematic are items made from more than one material or type of plastic. Other items dirtying up the recycling stream include yard waste, food, clothes, and “tanglers” such as wires, cords and hoses. And, of course, plastic bags and films should be recycled at a collection station, commonly found at grocery stores and hypermarkets.

Here’s a list of other recycling programs and resources:

And since we’re talking about recycling… CEC arranged to divert 70% of recyclables and compostables away from the landfill at Earth Day Houston. Based on results from 2018, in 2019 we were able to provide compostable alternatives to the most commonly tossed items (non-recyclable plastic cutlery). If you are interested in helping to develop the zero waste plan for Earth Day Houston, please email [email protected] to be added to the planning group.

CEC NOTES

Green Films: How to Tell Your Story with Film & Video

Join CEC, the Rice Media Center and other partners on Nov. 20, 2019, for the next installment of the Houston Green Film Series. CEC is hosting a panel discussion on “How to Tell Your Story with Film & Video.” Do you have an environmental story to tell with film or video? Pitch your idea to a dozens of aspiring and experienced filmmakers at November gathering, or email your ideas to [email protected]

The Green Film Series is taking a break in December, but please join us at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 28 and 29, 2020. Tickets now on sale!

Earth Day Houston: Exhibitor Registration now available

Earth Day Houston, part of the 50th worldwide observance, will be held at Discovery Green on Sunday, April 19, 2020.

CEC welcomes new Interns

Here at CEC, we have recently welcomed three outstanding new interns. Marketing Intern Angie Chicas is a senior at the University of Houston where she is pursuing a B.S. in Digital Media, and a minor in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. Environmental Health Intern Anushka Mukund is a senior at the University of Houston and is pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Public Health. Policy & Government Relations Intern Scarlett Ramon is a junior at the University of Houston and is pursuing of a B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in Studio Art. Click on their names to learn more about these ambitious and environmentally dedicated young people!

Scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community, or view the emailed version of the newsletter, which includes a green job listing.

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Buffalo Bayou Partnership seeks Events, Programs and Outreach Assistant

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Besides regularly hosting events and programs in Buffalo Bayou Park and other bayou locations, BBP is embarking on an exciting project to activate parks and trails east of downtown. The Events, Programs and Outreach Assistant will support BBP’s Director of PR and Events in implementing the organizations programs and annual signature events, as well as represent BBP at various meetings and outreach activities. The
position offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about non-profits, event planning and to become part of an organization enhancing Houston’s quality of life and transforming our city’s green spaces.

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SCA seeking Interns

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The Student Conservation Association is seeking to fill several internships in the greater Houston region: Natural Resource and Water Quality Interns who will help restore forested riparian habitat at multiple City of Houston parks; Natural Resources interns who will work on habitat restoration project in Houston parks; and an Operations Intern at Huntsville State Park. To learn more about the internships and to apply, visit thesca.org.