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March 2026

Building a more sustainable, resilient and equitable Waco.

If you needed more motivation to recycle, now is a good time to build some new habits. The old landfill at Hannah Hill Road is officially closed. Everything headed for a landfill now goes out to Axtell by way of a transfer station. That means that the trash picked up curbside in a gray bin gets dropped off at the transfer station and then gets loaded on a different truck to be hauled out to Axtell. By recycling, you prevent material from making that trek out to Axtell and help extend the life of the new landfill. And that material can include food waste which ends up being about a quarter of everything going into the landfill.

One of those good recycling habits is to turn your food waste into compost. You can learn more about that process by registering here for the Community Composter Certification course. Or if you want to have someone else do the composting, sign up for Urban REAP's Compost Club bucket program.

Happy Recycling,

Eric Coffman
Sustainability Programs Manager
ericc@wacotx.gov

Tackling the Climate Crisis

Interested in Speaking at the next Green Communities Conference?

The 5th Annual Green Communities Conference will be held September 17 at the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC). We are looking for speakers so let us know if you would like to talk about environmental action related to energy, water and/or waste and its impact on our community. The deadline to submit an abstract of your talk is March 27.

Preventing Waste & Pollution

New Landfill & Transfer Station Now Open

The Solid Waste Transfer Station and new Landfill began to accept waste from the public on Monday, March 2. The existing landfill officially closed on Saturday, February 28. 

The new landfill is located at 4730 TK Parkway, Axtell, TX, but the transfer station is more conveniently located for our residents at 6171 S. University Parks. 

Each new facility includes a Customer Convenience Center where customers can quickly drop off trash, recyclables, tires, and other household waste without joining the main landfill queue.

Residential solid waste customers can drop off up to one ton (2,000 pounds) of waste at either location four times per year at no additional cost.

Reminder! Bag & Tie Your Trash

Lately, we’ve noticed a bit more litter than usual drifting around Waco. Help us keep our neighborhoods looking their best. Please make sure to bag and tie all your trash before placing it in your cart. When loose items are tossed directly into the bin, they easily spill out during pickup or blow away if the lid flips open. A simple knot goes a long way!

Let’s work together to keep Waco clean. Thanks for doing your part!

In the Community

World Water Day River Cleanup on March 21

Join Keep Waco Beautiful as they kick off World Water Day and their month-long campaign surrounding water conservation! They will do a shoreline river cleanup from 9-11am on March 21 at the Waco STEAM Center, volunteers of all ages welcome. Registration is required.

Two New Parks Coming Soon to Waco

Left: Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park     Right: China Spring Park

The City of Waco is working on two new parks to provide more outdoor space for residents. Construction is underway for China Spring Park, located near the Waco Regional Airport. This 85-acre site will include trails, a splash pad, and sports courts. Meanwhile, work continues on Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park along Clay Avenue. This park will feature inclusive playgrounds, a lighted fountain, and a bridge over Waco Creek. Both parks are expected to be complete later this year!

• Learn More About Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park
• Learn More About China Spring Park

Upcoming Events

Waco Downtown Farmers Market

SATURDAY MORNINGS, 9am-1pm, 200 E. Bridge Street
The Waco Downtown Farmers Market supports local farmers and small businesses, increases access to healthy affordable food, and enriches the Waco community through education and wellness activities. Check out some of the Saturday morning lineup in March:

• MARCH 7: Music: Eric & Thomas. Let's Move Waco. GSH Network. Cameron Park Zoo. Wellness: FXL Foundational Fitness.
• MARCH 14: Music: Steve Dansby. WIC Services. Instrument Petting Zoo. Taste the Market. Master Gardeners. Waco Pet Circle.

Solar United Neighbors Volunteer Training

MARCH 12, 6:30-7:30pm, Online Training
Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is building a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone and we need local people from Waco to help make it happen. That's why we're hosting a volunteer training where you'll learn how to represent SUN in your community. Whether you staff a tabling event, lead a Solar 101 workshop, or simply spread the word about solar energy, we'll make sure you're fully prepared and confident before you get started. Volunteering is hands-on, meaningful work. Help your neighbors understand solar, make informed decisions, and advocate for fair energy policies across Texas. RSVP HERE.

Lunch with the Masters: Organic Vegetable Gardening and Raising Chickens

MARCH 18, Noon-2pm at Texas AgriLife office, 4224 Cobbs Drive
Learn about organic gardening and the ins and outs of raising chickens from Grady Phelan at his farm Cobb Creek Farm. He and his family are full time farmers for Heritage Garden. Grady manages day-to-day work on the farm, raising chickens, milk cows, and draft horses and growing Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, heirloom corn, wheat, oats, rye, and sweet sorghum for syrup. He and his family also love to garden and help supply a produce stand at the Homestead Weekly Market where they sell their own produce, grain products, chickens and eggs, alongside products from other local farmers and gardeners. Be sure and bring your lunch to this free session. Everyone is welcome.

Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board Meeting

MARCH 19, 3pm, City of Waco Operations Center, 1415 N 4th Street
The general public is welcome to attend this monthly meeting of the citizen board that makes policy recommendations to the Waco City Council. Consider becoming a member of the board. More information found here.

Free Homebuyer Education Workshop

MARCH 21, 8:30am-4:30pm at NeighborWorks Waco, 922 Franklin Ave
NeighborWorks Waco is hosting a free Homebuyer Education Course designed to help prospective homebuyers gain the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate the homebuying process. The course will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026, and provides a full day of practical, easy-to-understand instruction. Best of all, it's completely free and includes breakfast, lunch, and all necessary materials. Click here to register

SAVE THE DATE: Styrofoam Recycling Collection Event

APRIL 11, 9am-1pm, Parking lot at corner of Valley Mills & Waco Drive
Waco Friends of the Climate will hold free Drive-Thru Styrofoam Recycling, Sat., April 11, 9am-1pm, in the parking lot at the corner of Valley Mills & Waco Drives, in front of Ocean Buffet. All forms of Styrofoam are accepted except peanuts. Please bring small particles in a bag. For questions: anorthc@aol.com

What We're Reading & Listening To

Articles

Texas lost $84.6 million in EV charging funds. Here’s why and what’s left
By Environment Texas

Texans want their local governments to push pause on data centers. Can they?
By The Waco Bridge

Books

Angry weather : heat waves, floods, storms, and the new science of climate change
By Dr. Friederike Otto

Podcasts

How climate change impacts the world's most vulnerable people
By Instant Genius

Send us your suggestions for articles, books, podcasts, or videos, so that we can share them with our community.

Have Something to Share?

Submit your announcements and ideas to Eric Coffman by APRIL 1 to be included in next month's newsletter. 

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