How to Recycle...
Plastics
About 12 percent of the municipal solid waste
stream is plastic materials such as soda bottles, plastic bags, lids, and
shampoo bottles. Most community recycling programs accept some but not all kinds
of plastics. The numbers in triangles on the bottom of plastic containers are
part of a resin identification coding (RIC) system that helps distinguish types
of plastics. You can use those numbers to determine if your recycling program
accepts that type of material. The main markets for recycled plastics are fiber
for carpet and textiles and then bottles, depending on the type of plastic.
While the markets for recycled plastic are growing, according to the EPA, the United
States has the capacity to be recycling plastics at a greater rate.
Glass
Glass, especially glass food and
beverage containers, can be recycled over and over again. Americans generated 11.6 million tons of
glass in 2012, but only 28 percent of that was recovered for recycling.
Most curbside community recycling programs accept different glass colors and
types mixed together, and then the glass is sorted at the recovery facility.
Check with your local program to see if you need to separate your glass or if
it can be mixed together.
Used Oil
Never dump used motor oil - including transmission
fluids, brake fluids, power steering fluids, and greases - down the drain. The used oil
from one oil change can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water. It
is illegal in Texas to dump used oil into storm drains or waterways. Some communities
have collection centers. If your does not, check with auto service centers.
Some accept used oil in small quantities.
Tires
Over 3 million tires were sent to Texas
landfills last year. Abandoned tire piles can lead to diseases from pests like
mosquitoes and rats and can also cause fires. To get the most use of your
tires, maintain your tires’ air pressure and rotate them regularly, but when
you can no longer use them, dispose of them properly. Most tire
dealers or auto shops will accept tires for a fee, and a few municipalities
will accept a few tires from citizens at no charge.
To learn what to do with other
items like automotive batteries, leaves and lawn clippings, and ink cartridges,
check out the “What
Do I Do With It Now?” Take Care of Texas guide on our publications page.
For a quick and easy way to find recycling
centers near you, visit Earth 911 and
search by material.
Beginning
March 1, 2015, the State of Texas will stop issuing inspection stickers and
transition to a “Two Steps, One Sticker” vehicle inspection and registration
program.
For more information, please visit the Two Steps, One Sticker website.
Be
Water Wise at Home
This
BRAND NEW brochure, dual-sided in English and Spanish, offer tips and facts
about conserving water.
Win a $20 H-E-B gift card!
Go to our Facebook page, and post a comment on this picture saying
“I Pledge to Take Care of Texas.” Two people will be randomly chosen to win $20 gift cards provided by H-E-B. Contest ends this Thursday, Feb. 5, at noon. We will reply
to your comment if you win, so be sure to check back that afternoon.
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