In the second quarter of 2019, our students, faculty and staff were able to increase recycling tonnage. For April, May, and June, 1.1 tons of recycling materials were consistently collected. In addition, we will be adding another recycling dumpster to serve the south end of campus to further recycling efforts. Thank you for doing your part to help keep TXWES blue, gold and green! 

Being green doesn’t only mean recycling—it also means reducing waste! By reducing waste, you are:

• Saving money
• Saving energy
• Reducing the need for new raw materials
• Reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions

Three tips for reducing waste:

1. Use reusable bags: Using reusable bags while you are shopping reduces the amount of plastic bags that end up being trashed. Reusable bags are often stronger than plastic bags, so you can fit what you can carry, rather than what the bag can hold without tearing (which never seems to be as much as you would think). You can even find reusable produce bags! Some merchants even offer discounts for customers using reusable bags!
2. Buy and donate used clothes: Thrift store shopping not only saves money, but it also saves the environment as well! Determined customers can find plenty of trendy outfits to wear on campus. Instead of throwing out clothes you don’t want or don’t fit, donate them to a used clothing store. If you’re needing a little extra cash, there are used clothing stores that will buy gently worn items from you.
3. Repurpose items: Giving items a new purpose is another good way to reduce waste. Egg cartons make great seed starters for gardening, or you can use them to store your jewelry. Stick magnets on a disposable cup to create a dry-erase marker holder. You can find lots of ideas and instructions on DIY websites, such as Pinterest.