FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2023
Karina Araujo
Texan by Nature
956-616-6869
karina@texanbynature.org
End of PET Recycling Pilot, Community Partners Receive Donations
Over ~350 El Pasoans participated in the incentive-driven recycling pilot
El Paso, Texas: Texans for Clean Water (TFCW) and Texan by Nature (TxN) announced the completion of their PET Community Recycling Pilot with $3,500 in donations to seven local El Paso non-profits. This milestone is a significant move for TFCW in its mission to prove community incentives drive positive recycling behaviors in Texas. The project collected #1 PET plastics from community participants for seven months at receptacles placed outside of four Sam’s Club locations in El Paso.
“The El Paso community’s participation provided invaluable data and lessons learned that will be used to prove this concept for statewide legislation,” says Maia Corbitt, President of Texans for Clean Water. “Incentivized community recycling is not only a win for the environment, it’s a win for the Texas communities receiving incentives for their efforts and the recycling industry as a whole.”
Throughout the pilot, the El Paso community demonstrated their commitment to recycling through notable actions such as:
- Depositing over 100,000 # 1 PET plastic items in seven months
- Participating in the El Paso High School Recycling Video Contest
- Donating incentives to local non-profits
El Paso non-profits receiving donations include El Paso Community Foundation, El Paso Zoo Society, Green Hope Project, Paso del Norte Community Foundation, Second Chance Wildlife Rescue, The Frontera Land Alliance, and Tom Lea Institute.
“Non-recycled plastics inevitably end up in landfills, waterways, or roadways. Through this pilot, materials flowed through a circular chain that begins and ends on the retailer’s shelf,” says Joni Carswell, President and CEO at Texan by Nature. “The opportunity for other major retailers across the state to replicate this project is now possible, thanks to the El Paso community and all of the pilot partners, Sam’s Club, D6 Inc., BlueTriton Brands, Green Impact Plastics, MeCycle, L&P Scientific Consulting, and Indorama Ventures.”
To learn more about El Paso PET Recycling Pilot, click here.
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About Texan by Nature:
Texan by Nature (TxN) unites conservation and business leaders who believe Texas’ prosperity is dependent on the conservation of its natural resources. TxN, founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, acts as an accelerator for conservation groups and a strategic partner for business. TxN supports 130+ conservation organizations and has accelerated projects and programs that have impacted 7 million-plus people, 20 million acres, and all of Texas’ 254 counties Get involved and learn more at www.texanbynature.org and follow us on Facebook @TexanbyNature, Twitter @TexanbyNature, and Instagram @texanbynature for the latest.
About Texans for Clean Water:
Texans for Clean Water (TFCW) is a 501c4 non-profit, advocacy organization dedicated to win-win solutions that reduce waterway trash and floatable litter, for the benefit of the Texas environment and economy.
TFCW was formally organized in 2013 when Mike Garver of Houston and Trammell Crow of Dallas joined forces to bring the problem of floatable debris in our waterways to state and local officials. Restoring the viability of our waterways improves neighborhoods, brings recreational opportunities to our communities, and encourages economic growth. Learn more at: www.texansforcleanwater.org.