news & announcements

Who wins in the new recycling deal? Houston.

Houston Chronicle Guest Op-Ed: Mayor Sylvester Turner was right when he said the city’s newly approved recycling contract is a “win for Houstonians and the environment.”

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Curbside glass recycling to return to Houston in 2019

Houston Chronicle: Houston residents are set to have their used glass and plastic bags picked up for recycling at curbside, but not until next year.

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Walgreens pledges to launch long-awaited chemical policy

Chemical Watch: U.S. pharmacy chain Walgreens Boots Alliance has announced it will launch its long-awaited chemicals management programme this year, pledging it will publish a list of high priority chemicals of concern in its products and create an action plan for their management in 2018.

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Our message to Austin City Council on City Manager finalist Howard Lazarus

From our blog: The Austin City Council may vote as early as this week on who to hire for their new City Manager. One of the finalists, Howard Lazarus, has raised considerable concern among TCE and other environmentalists.

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Health concerns swirl in Texas months after floods from Harvey spread toxic waste

PBC NewsHour: Three months after Hurricane Harvey struck the shores of Texas, some local environmental groups say they are in the dark about the safety of federal Superfund sites damaged during the storm.

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Victory for the San Jacinto and a New Fight for TCE

From our blog: Federal officials have finally ordered the full removal of dioxin-laden waste pits just outside of Houston on the San Jacinto River. Yes, the current U.S. EPA, headed by Scott Pruitt–who was appointed by Donald Trump–went against corporate power and took the environmentalists’ side in a major dispute.

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As Austin concludes recycling phase-in, city preps for zero waste goal

Community Impact News: Austin aims to be zero waste by 2040—meaning 90% of discarded materials will be either recycled or composted and not sent to landfills. Business community members and environmental advocates alike seem to agree that Austin is making strides toward the target.

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Environmentalists protest EPA Chief Scott Pruitt’s planned speech in The Woodlands

Houston Chronicle: About a dozen advocates called on U.S. EPA chief Scott Pruitt to take a “Toxic Tour” of contaminated areas in Houston during his visit Thursday for a planned speech at an oil and gas meeting in The Woodlands.

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EPA Orders Cleanup at Texas Toxic Site Flooded by Harvey

Chicago Tribune: Trump administration orders two big corporations to pay for a $115 million cleanup at a Texas toxic waste site that may have spread dangerous levels of pollution during the flooding from Hurricane Harvey.

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Austin’s recycling ordinance enters next phase; city works toward zero waste goal

Community Impact News: When the last phase of the recycling ordinance rolls out Oct. 1, all multi-family and non-residential commercial properties will be required to provide tenants and employees with convenient access to recycling services.

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