Solid Waste and Recycling Publications

Published in 2007, this overview of the closed landfill inventory provides questions and answers relevant to local government officials.

Published in 2007, this overview of the closed landfill inventory provides questions and answers relevant to consultants and developers.

Published in 2008, this guide is intended to assist local governments and non‐profits with the development of building material reuse centers.

Published in 2005, this study offers an overview of Construction and Demolition issues and best practices: recycling, reuse, and deconstruction options; helpful planning, recycling, and reuse hints for the construction site; and listing of recyclers, salvagers, and contractors in the H-GAC area for construction and demolition materials.

Offered in 2006, this workshop presentation highlights construction and demolition waste, ways to reduce and recycle C&D waste, practical applications, best management practices, technical resources, and funding mechanisms.

This report highlights what household hazardous waste (HHW) is, goals of HHW collection, reuse and recycling, financing HHW collection and associated costs, and methods of collection, such as events.

Published in 2005, this guide gives an overview of the proper identification and management of household hazardous waste.

Published in 2005, this guide gives an overview of the proper identification and management of household hazardous waste.

Published in 2010, this manual is designed to assist local governments and private companies in the Houston-Galveston area to enhance diversion efforts in the region.

Published in 2009, this manual is designed to assist large public institutions in the Houston-Galveston area with evaluating and implementing best practices for organics management and enhance organics diversion efforts.

Published in 2013, this study estimates the current and potential economic contribution of the recycling industry in the Houston-Galveston region.

This workbook includes interview and waste audit forms, as well as examples for waste audits by volume and by weight. The workbook also includes LEED EBOM sample forms

This study explores traditional and non‐traditional markets and potential uses for eight recyclable materials. The information will assist local governments across the region in fostering the development of new markets for these recyclable materials.

Developed with R.W. Beck in 2008, these case studies evaluate the effectiveness of five cities’ recycling and waste minimization programs to provide specific recommendations to each city regarding ways to increase diversion and improve their program operations.

This 16-page book, designed for students in second and third grade, provides fun and educational recycling-oriented puzzles and activities, including word search games, mazes, connect the dots, and coloring pages. Answer pages are included.

This 16-page book, designed for students in fourth and fifth grade, provides fun and educational recycling-oriented puzzles and activities, including word search games, mazes, math mashups, and secret code deciphering. Answer pages are included.

This checklist for communities considering implementing a recycling program focuses on identification and separation, assessment, collection and processing, markets for collected materials, and re-entry of recycling products/end markets.

This workshop presentation looks at recycling basics, evaluating needs, program design consideration, emerging trends, public outreach, overcoming challenges, and measuring performance.

This workshop presentation looks at procurement elements, including curbside collection contracts and drop-off collection procurement, as well as the evaluation process and contract negotiations.

This workshop presentation looks at the 10 steps to developing an education campaign, effectiveness of various outreach methods, overcoming common obstacles, and ideas for successful programs.

This workshop presentation provides an overview of drop-off recycling and discusses key factors in developing a successful program.

These case studies look at recycling program data for single-family, multi-family, brush/yard waste, white goods, household hazardous waste, used electronics, and public education in Bay City, Huntsville, Lake Jackson, Pearland, and Texas City.

Published in 2003, this study considered the feasibility of implementing an organized solid waste collection program in Walker County to reduce illegal dumping, including recommendations for service providers, funding sources, and policy changes.

Published in 1999, this workbook assists local governments in developing community solid waste facilities, particularly citizens' collection stations and transfer stations. The guide addresses issues faced by governments in determining their needs, planning a facility, evaluating regulatory requirements, constructing a new facility, and operations.

Published in 1999, this workbook is a practical guide for local governments preparing to contract with private companies for solid waste collection, transport, or disposal services.

Published in 2005. By analyzing the source of the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream and how the population and employment will change in this region over the next 20 years, the study serves as a valuable tool in assessing solid waste disposal capacity for the region and planning for future needs.

Published in 2017, this study builds on the 2005 Regional Solid Waste Characterization Study. The goals of the 2017 study were to update the 2005 study in evaluating the current and projected landfill capacity, as well as to quantify, to the extent possible, the current recycling and diversion activities occurring within the H-GAC planning region.

The draft Regional Solid Waste Management Plan for 2022-2042 is now available for review.

TCEQ is providing an opportunity for informal public comment through September 20, 2022 on the regional solid waste management plans developed by the 24 regional councils of governments. Visit TCEQ's Regional Solid Waste Grants Program to view the draft plans and provide comments.