Texas Campaign for the Environment: Victories 2006

The City Council had plans to put a through road that would have carved up Ft. Worth's oldest and most beloved park.  TCE generated more than a thousand letters to the City Council in opposition to the plan.

The state environmental agency (the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) adopted new standards for landfills and other trash facilities. 

On March 1, 2006, the three Commissioners of the state environmental agency passed new standards for landfills and other waste facilities.  The most important advances that will protect the public health and safety and the environment and improve public participation that were secured are:

TCE and neighbors of the one of the two problem landfills in Northeast Travis County successfully pressured the Travis County Commissioners Court to oppose expansions at the  Waste Management landfills.  While the decision ultimately is made by the state, the county's opposition will aid the case to reject the expansion request.

Apple made a pre-Earth Day announcement that it would begin offering free recycling of a computer system of any brand for customers that buy a new Mac.

Texas Campaign for the Environment worked with Laredo area residents to secure Webb County support for an effort to fight an unnecessary private landfill from being permitted.

Dell increased their commitment to producer takeback recycling with a new position that clearly supports public policy on the issue.  Dell also set a new bar by pledging to provide free recycling services to all individual consumers worldwide for all Dell products.  The program begins in September in the US and in November worldwide.

In 2005, the Texas Legislature passed a bill, signed by Governor Rick Perry, that took away the public's right to a public meeting when new trash and hazardous waste facilities are planned.  TCE worked to restore the ability of Texans to have public meetings by suggesting language that sets out clear criteria for holding a meeting.  These criteria include a request by a local government, by 10 area residents or an organization that represents 10 area residents.

First, it was Georgetown in Williamson County. Next, it was Plano in North Texas. Then came Kyle in Hays County. The City of Dallas embraced it and then the Denton County City of Highland Village. When thousands of TCE supporters voiced their backing for producer takeback recycling of electronic waste, local government officials listened.