research & news
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fort Worth Recycling Plan Passes with Key Upgrades
From our blog: Fort Worth City Council voted to approve their 20-year “Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.” As a result of widespread citizen participation and advocacy, the final document included many more program and policy goals to reduce waste and increase recycling than originally planned.
Houston Superfund site leaked toxic chemicals after Harvey: EPA
ABC News Houston: New test results found very high levels of chemicals called dioxins around the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund site in Channelview. Thursday’s testing results released by EPA found levels at 70,000 nanograms per kilogram, more than 2,000 times the recommended level of 30 ng/kg.
Report: Green businesses and cities at risk
Our friends from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) have issued an important new report about how many corporate and local “sustainability” plans are anything but sustainable–they are burning trash and causing terrible environmental harms.
An Enormous, Urgent Task: Hauling Away Harvey’s Debris
New York Times: Of all the challenges that southeast Texas faces after Hurricane Harvey, few will linger longer or more visibly than the millions of pounds of debris already crowding curbs and edging onto streets.
Council to consider changes for waste disposal contracts
Austin Monitor: A series of recommendations made by a City Council working group seeks to address concerns from environmentalists and private waste haulers about how the city chooses the companies it pays to pick up and dispose of waste generated by its own employees and departments.
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