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The good news is that the e-waste collection amounts reported by the computer manufacturers in 2010 were 60% higher than in 2009. However, four of the 78 companies selling computers in Texas collected 92% of the total, showing that the law has not created a level playing field. Also, second year results show that Texas and the other states with similar laws continue to measure-up poorly to other states. Click here to read the story! |
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Most of the time, the old electronics end up in the garbage, despite holding plenty of reusable material. But a push for recycling them has gained ground in recent years through both new state laws and a developing "e-recycling" industry. |
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Today, our production and disposal system is unsustainable both in terms of the resources consumed and the wastes created. TCE Fund is working to create a fundamental shift in the way waste is conceived of and handled in the US. The Story of Electronics is a video created to promote responsible recycling in the electronics industry. |
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Video: Texas Campaign for the Environment was featured in this week's segment of Going Green with Yolanda Green. Watch and share, please: How a fired up grassroots campaign is working to reduce waste in Texas. (KIAH Houston) Watch it here! |
Plan for Austin bag ban getting tweaked a third time
City officials are once again considering changing the start date and other details of a proposed ban on disposable paper and plastic bags at Austin checkout counters. Gedert said Wednesday that he's now thinking about enacting the interim fee in March 2013 and the outright ban in March 2014 to give retailers time to prepare for the ban without prolonging the start of it too much. (Austin American-Statesman)
State Environmental Agency Getting An Earful At Town Hall Meetings
Houston held the state-wide kickoff for a series of town hall meetings designed to give locals a platform to gripe and perhaps get their comments and suggestions considered by the legislative Sunset Advisory Commission as it reviews and examines Texas' state environmental agency. (Houston Press)
Green Tech Gone Fake
Reused electronics may be good for the environment, but they are feeding the counterfeit tech industry and poisoning some foreign workers. (Business Week)
Expert: Reducing waste can help bottom line
Toyota Motor Corp. and Hewlett Packard have reduced their costs by instituting recycling programs and reusing materials they previously discarded after a single use. (San Diego Daily Transcript)
New Study - 1.5 Million Jobs Can Be Created by Diverting 75% of Waste from Landfills
Organizations across the United States celebrated America Recycles Day, November 15th, by having a series of actions around a new study, More Jobs, Less Pollution that was released today. The study says that 1.5 million jobs can be created if the US implements a 75% waste diversion plan by 2030. Click here to see Austin's press release. Click here to see Houston's press release.
Support TCE Fund with The Reliant EcoShare
Want to help TCE Fund and offset your carbon footprint at the same time? Reliant Energy and EarthShare of Texas have launched The Reliant EcoShare, a program that allows Reliant customers to support EarthShare of Texas and its participating organizations and help reduce the customers' carbon footprints through the purchase of carbon offsets. TCE Fund benefits, because as one of EarthShare of Texas' participating organizations, a portion of the Reliant donation is shared with us. More information on www.earthshare-texas.org or www.reliant.com/ecoshare.
Austin's Master Plan for Zero Waste is Available On-line The Austin City Council passed the implementation plan to reach 90% diversion from landfills by 2030 and 95% by 2040. Click here to read all about it.
Register to attend Citizen's Environmental Coalition's "Visions for a Greener Houston"
CEC is hosting "Visions for a Greener Houston" on Thursday Feb. 9th at the United Way. The purpose is to identify attainable environmental goals for the year. TCE will be in attendance so come out and help us work to a better Houston in 2012. Click here to learn more.
