ENVIRONMENT TheWoodlands Township sees success in robust recycling efforts
Recycling CONTAMINATION FALLS In The Woodlands, the average rate of contaminants in recycling collections has steadily declined, and township officials attribute the decline to an increase in community education efforts.
40%
February 2022 6.4%
BY ALLY BOLENDER
after changes in the global recycling market, including increased costs. China, which had been the world’s largest importer of waste plastics, implemented a ban on imported waste that went into effect in 2021, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Geiger said the ban on recyclables did not affect the kind of recyclable material accepted through residents’ curbside recycling, and he does not expect the township to limit the list of accepted materials. However, in 2020, residents did see a 26% increase in the household cost for Waste Management services, which include recycling collection and processing, collection and disposal of trash and other debris. In February 2020, the township recon- tracted with Waste Management, providing services for a monthly household rate of $15.55. As of 2022, the township budgets $7.5 million for solid waste services. “Higher recycling costs, owing in large part to changes in the international market, along with higher overall operating costs ... were the basis for the rate increase,” Geiger said. The township also offers educa- tional resources and allows resi- dents to purchase compost bins in an effort to promote composting. “Our goal is to eventually estab- lish residential curbside collection of food waste, just like trash, recycling and yard trimmings,” Geiger said.
24.5%
30%
Following changes in the global recycling market that resulted in higher costs for local programs, The Woodlands Township reported successful efforts in 2019-21 to reduce the contamination fees that can increase costs for residents. Over 95% of households in The Woodlands Township recycle, resulting in nearly 30% of all house- hold waste being diverted from the landfill, according to John Geiger, environmental services manager with The Woodlands Township. Geiger said recycling contami- nation—which is material placed in a residential curbside recycling bin that is not recyclable—remains a challenge. According to Geiger, common contaminants in The Wood- lands include plastic bags, cords, string, food waste, hazardous waste and plastic foam, and these items harmmachinery, endanger workers and reduce the value of the approved materials. To address recycling contamination, the township launched the Recycle Right program in 2020 to educate res- idents on contamination. The average annual contamination rate decreased roughly 30% from 2019-21, according to township data. “Maintaining low contamination is an important step in keeping The Woodlands recycling program going strong, and every household plays a role,” Geiger said. The Woodlands Township recy- cling programs came into creation
19.3%
17.2%
20%
10%
0%
2019
2020
2021
2022
SOURCE: THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Think BEFORE YOU TRASH To decrease recycling contamination, The Woodlands Township offers a variety of online resources regarding recyclable materials at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov. Material should be placed in the curbside bins loose with no plastic bags and contain no food stains or grease, and containers and cans should be emptied and rinsed.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS:
NON-RECYCLABLE MATERIALS:
Plastic bags
Cans
Clothes
Cartons
Pizza boxes
Cardboard
Food wrappers
Glass
Chemicals
Paper
Electronics & batteries
Plastic containers (#1-5)
Plastic foam
SOURCE: THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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The Woodlands Art Gallery & Studios Presents
Once Upon A Time, A Boy Joined the Circus and Other Images Art by Jim Seigler
April 21, 2022 5 PM - 8 PM (On display through June 9, 2022)
208 Nursery Rd. The Woodlands, TX 77380 832-668-5340 inquiries@woodlandsartandstudios.com
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THE WOODLANDS EDITION • APRIL 2022
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