Expanding Recycling Access
Did you know not all Texans have access to recycling? In fact, right now, 3% of H-E-B communities don’t have recycling access. H-E-B believes that in order to raise our state recycling rate, everybody should be able to recycle, and it should be easy to do. So we are on a mission to make that happen!
That’s why we’re helping fundamentally change the infrastructure for many of our customers while educating all Texans on what can and can’t be recycled in your area.
In July 2022, in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, we opened a Recycling Drop Off Center in Ingleside! This new facility benefits over 65,000 families along the Gulf Coast in nearby towns of Sinton, Ingleside, and Aransas Pass. These customers will now be able to bring materials like cardboard, as well as plastic bottles and jugs, to the facility located at 1421 4th Street in Ingleside.
Unlike other cities that depend on nearby processing facilities, the Ingleside Recycling Drop Off Center will be able to sort all material directly, reducing the need for fuel to transport goods. Once 42,000 pounds of recyclable material is collected, trucks will take it directly to the mills, where it’ll be turned into new material!
We’re proud of this new recycling facility and are committed to keeping more recyclables out of landfills. We invite you to join us by recycling more, whether you’re in one of these towns along the Gulf Coast, or somewhere that you’re able to recycle at home.
In support of community recycling efforts, H-E-B, in partnership with Keep Texas Recycling, a program of Keep Texas Beautiful, selected six projects across the state, which will benefit from the 2023 H-E-B Community Recycling Grants. These grants support projects that focus on increasing access to recycling by funding infrastructure improvements, material resources, and access to educational recycling materials. Grant funds totaling $157,000 will fund projects in Pharr, Ingleside, Cuero, Texas City, Burleson County, and San Angelo, improving recycling access for nearly 350,000 Texans.
What are Other Easy Ways to Live Sustainably?
Small changes in your daily routine can add up to a big impact on Texas’ environment. Try:
- Turning off lights and unplugging small appliances when not in use. This helps conserve energy and can lower your electricity bills.
- Donating unopened, unexpired non-perishable foods to food pantries. This helps feed your community and lowers food waste.
- Donating clothing, furniture, and kitchen goods in good condition to thrift stores. This helps keep usable items out of landfills.
- Please note: Hangers are typically not accepted at thrift stores or recycling centers.
- Setting your A/C to 78 degrees or higher and using a fan to cool just the room you’re in. This reduces strain on the electrical grid and helps lower electricity bills.
- Washing your clothes in cold water, not hot. Cold water cleans just as well, reduces household energy consumption, and lowers your power bills.
- Composting at home. Toss vegetable & fruit scraps (green) and plain paper materials (brown) into a compost container and stir the compost every few days. An old plastic storage tote with holes poked into the lid works great for composting! Over time, these items break down into nutrient-rich dirt that’s an ideal lawn & garden fertilizer. Click here to learn more about composting at home.
