Plastic Pollution Texas

Article date February 1, 2012
Clever parody from Writer/Director Ben Zolno and a team of "passionate volunteers on a super tiny budget."  The video is a fun way to demonstrate the problem of our habits regarding single-use plastics.    

January 18, 2012
We're starting this year with incredible momentum on plastic bag bans across the US and the world, and we're eager to see this explode over the coming months. Please continue to use the Plastic Pollution Coalition and our Google Group as a resource for contact and information-sharing in order to promote communication and unity among the movement to end plastic pollution. And always remember to Refuse single-use plastics!

Dec 21, 2011
This amazing video provides a real-world example of the unintended consequences of our choices.  Watch as this dolphin fights for his life after investigating a strange new item he found in his neighborhood.

December 20, 2011
Seattle´s City Council approved a plastic bag ban (to take effect July 1 2012) according to the Seattle Times.   The measure was backed by the Northwest Grocery Association, which represents the state’s largest supermarkets.  The ordinance also adds a nickel fee on paper grocery bags (to make up for the higher cost of paper and to remind shoppers to bring reusable bags).  According to Seattle Public Utilities, which manages solid-waste disposal for the city, residents use 292 million plastic carryout bags annually, but only recycle 13%.

November 10, 2011
Weary of plastic litter, Grand Canyon National Park officials were in the final stages of imposing a ban on the sale of disposable water bottles in the Grand Canyon late last year when the nation’s parks chief abruptly blocked the plan after conversations with Coca-Cola, a major donor to the National Park Foundation.

August 16, 2011

An Associated Press story out this week reports the City of Akron announced plans to start converting its recycled plastics into synthetic crude oil.  Akron partnered with Houston’s Greenstar Recycling.  The project will rely on No. 3 through No. 7 plastics common in food containers. Greenstar will team with a Cleveland company to turn some of the recycled plastics into low-sulfur crude.  If all goes well, Akron expects recycling profits to nearly double.

In a related story, the City of Akron announces recycling partnership for plastics to energy.  Read it at http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/news_releases/Display.asp?RecNum=447.

August 11, 2011

In her article, on Forbes.com Contributor Nadia Arumugam, discusses research that shows minorities consume bottled water more often than white Americans.  A recent study in the Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine confirmed this trend. The study also provides insight as to why minority parents perceive bottled water to be superior to tap water.  As the article notes, “Health experts and tap water advocates heartily disagree and will produce reams of data revealing tap water  to be pure, healthful, and entirely sanitary.”  

March 1, 2011

Whereas blame for the energy shortages of 2001 might seem to have rested on relatively short-term problems, it is now apparent that the entire basis of our energy system—fuel, production, and distribution—is flawed and badly in need of overhaul.

February 7, 2011

Oregon - A bill co-sponsored by two Republicans and two Democrats would outlaw throwaway plastic check-out bags at all retail stores in Oregon, a state that is already a national leader in green legislation. Shoppers would be forced to bring their own bag or pay a nickel apiece for recycled paper bags under SB536.

January 6, 2011

Last night, January 5th, the South Padre Island City Council unanimously voted yes on a proposed plastic bag ban making South Padre Island the second city in Texas to pass such an ordinance!  The ordinance which prohibits the point of sale distribution of non-compostable plastic bags and allows for the use of reusable bags, recyclable paper bags that are not made from old growth trees and are composed of at least 40% post consumer recycled content and compostable plastic bags will go into effect as a voluntary ban on February 1, 2011 and would become mandatory on January 1, 2012.

December 30, 2010

By most measures, the state's expansion of the Bottle Bill is a howling success. Millions more bottles are being kept out of landfills, and that has to be the ultimate yardstick. On Oct. 31, 2009, New York expanded the Returnable Beverage Container Act, better known as the Bottle Bill, to include water bottles.

November 14, 2010

Since 1997, environmentally minded people have celebrated America Recycles Day on Nov. 15.

It was Texas that gave the nation the idea in the first place.

Texas Recycles Day began in 1994, when Kevin Tuerff and Valerie Davis — who worked at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - waged a six-week campaign to boost recycling in the state. They chose Nov. 15 because the spring already had Earth Day and they needed a date after Election Day and before the holidays.

November 8, 2010

In time for America Recycles Day – Nov. 15 -- and just ahead of the holiday season the Recycling Association of Minnesota is urging all businesses and organizations within the state of Minnesota to participate in the free recycling program for holiday light strings.

(Check out your local Home Depot to recycle lights here in Texas)

October 4, 2010

Green Week Houston launches Oct. 10. The free, multi-activity, citywide celebration will include neighborhood beautification projects, sustainable living workshops, environmental school curriculum, a grassroots festival and an organic potluck picnic.

November 5, 2010

Texas computer recycling center expands its operations by more than 10,000 square feet to meet the increased demand as national attention to e-waste increases.

September 28, 2010

With the talk about reducing our carbon footprints, College Station and Texas A&'M provide students living both on and off campus with easy ways to recycle household items and help save the planet one plastic bottle at a time...

August 25, 2010

FORT STOCKTON - Plastic bags are light weight and easy to store but pretty soon taking your groceries home in a plastic bags could cost you a hefty fine.

City Council members in Fort Stockton recently approved an ordinance banning the use of plastic shopping bags at businesses operating in Fort Stockton. The ban, which becomes effective on March 1, 2011, applies to both non-profit and for-profit business establishments, city officails said.

Under the new ordinance, businesses may offer customers alternatives  such as paper bags or encourage consumers to use their own bags or to take the merchandise to its destination in its own packaging. During the education period, many local businesses also will make reusable canvas bags available for purchase, city officials said.

October 2009
This team created an instant classic with their YouTube tune to promote recycling.  A "must see!"