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D/FW Residents: Encourage Texas Legislators to Get with the (Recycling) Program

Recycling is on the rise. Nationally, we recycle about one-third of our discards; however, some major cities achieve recycling rates of 50%, 60% or even 75%. More Americans now say they recycle than vote regularly! Nevertheless, the latest national study put the recycling rate in Texas at only 18% — and the amount of trash going to our landfills keeps increasing. You can make a difference today by urging your elected officials to support effective recycling legislation during the next legislative session. Your State Senator and Representative need to hear from you!

Download this sample letter and add your personal message

You should certainly recycle your own waste at home, of course. But unfortunately, recycling alone won’t solve the root problem of unsustainable, toxic, non-durable products designed for the dump. We need to change the trash and recycling policies so manufacturers will bear more responsibility for recycling their products, giving them a financial incentive to make those products easier and cheaper to recycle. This system, known as “producer takeback,” is gaining traction in Texas and nationwide. Texas is one of thirty-one states that have passed producer takeback legislation for products ranging from old electronics to paint to fluorescent light bulbs. Our law only covers computers so far. You can help press the Texas Legislature to consider producer takeback legislation for a range of products including TVs, mercury-containing lighting and thermostats as well as improvements to the existing Computer TakeBack Law.

Lawmakers should also discuss a “recycling refund” bill to establish a deposit system for beverage container recycling. With over 20 years of proven success, recycling refund laws have helped recycle an average of 75% of all beverage containers. The 10 states with deposit systems recycle more cans and bottles than the other 40 combined! Recycling refunds work because they provide a financial incentive to recycle and a disincentive to litter. Major manufacturers such as Alcoa and Owens Corning support such a system, and you can tell your lawmakers to support it as well.

What You Can Do

Let your State Senator and Representative know that you expect them to take care of Texas, not trash it. Write to your lawmakers today: Click here for a sample letter.