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Trash Free Texas
Monthly News & Updates

May 2021
You are receiving this newsletter because we thought you'd be interested in learning more about Trash Free Texas, an initiative by the Houston-Galveston Area Council and partners aimed at reducing or eliminating litter along area waterways.

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This Month's Spotlight
Pattison Hosts Trash Free Texas Waterway Cleanup
Big things are happening with the region’s newest Trash Free Texas partner, the City of Pattison!

Volunteers cleaned up trash and debris near Bell Bottom Creek in Pattison on May 15.

Pattison Mayor Joe Garcia said 30 volunteers, including members of the Royal High School Marine JROTC, pitched in and picked up a 20-yard roll-off dumpster full of trash, including 24 tires. The total weight of the trash picked up is still being calculated but is estimated to be several tons. EHRA provided soft drinks and snacks for participants.

The May 15 cleanup took place at four locations identified by Pattison Mayor Joe Garcia and the City of Pattison as litter hotspots in the community. The City added the sites to the Trash Free Texas Adopt-A-Spot map and is working to get them adopted by local groups. Mayor Garcia learned about the Trash Free Texas program at the May 5 Partners in Litter Prevention’s annual Trash Summit, and quickly worked to learn how to get the City of Pattison involved. The City’s addition as a Trash Free Texas Partner complements many efforts they are making to keep their city “trash free.”

On Saturday, May 22, the City of Pattison will host a second trash event for residents. This event will provide residents from Pattison and Waller County an opportunity to drop off household hazardous waste at the Pattison Area Volunteer Fire Department, located at 2950 FM 359, Pattison, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Learn more in our Monthly Spotlight.
Would you like to see your Adopt-A-Spot Story featured in a future Spotlight? Click on the button below to complete a form and we'll share your story with the community.
Program Updates
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) Now Available on Trash Free Texas Website
Trash Free Texas logo
Have you been wondering:
  • Who can be a Trash Free Texas coordinator?  
  • What is the time commitment for adopting a site? Or  
  • Do organizations get supplies for cleanup events?  

The answer to those questions and more is now readily available on the Trash Free Texas website Frequently Asked Questions.

Answers to common questions are available on this page but don't hesitate to contact Trash Free Texas organizers if you don’t see your question or answer.

And, just so we don’t leave you with questions and no answers:

  • Anyone wishing to establish cleanup efforts in their region and who can maintain the above responsibilities can be a coordinator. Coordinators are often local government officials but are not limited to any specific group or organization. 
  • Every program can have their own unique program elements. For example, Fort Worth requires a two-year agreement. However, for your community, you can decide on whatever timeframe you choose. 
  • Every program can have their own unique program elements regarding the supplies they provide. Reach out to the coordinator listed for the site you are inquiring about and they will relay what supplies, if any, are included.
Partner Updates
Wrangling Trash from Waterways – Texas Style
litter against a barrier in the water
Just like there are multiple sources of litter in the environment, there is more than one way to wrangle all that trash from waterways. Join the North Center Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) for a webinar and virtual tour at noon Wednesday, May 26. The free, online event will highlight several trash capture devices and case studies from around North Central Texas and the state. Rick Masters with the City of Pasadena is included in the slate of presenters for this event. Registration is requested. NCTCOG is a partner with H-GAC on the Trash Free Texas project.
Coming Soon - Statewide Litter Database
Keep Texas Beautiful and the Houston Advanced Research Center are developing a central database to organize and store trash and marine debris data statewide. When completed, the database can be used by litter cleanup volunteers, cleanup site coordinators, or any other user to either input their trash collection data or view and download trash collection data. Analysis of this data is an important component of understanding the litter problem in Texas and its waterways, and therefore, managing it. The project is funded by the Garver Black Hilyard Family Foundation. H-GAC, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and The Meadows Center at Texas State University are testing a beta version and giving feedback as part of the Trash Free Texas project. The database is expected to be available for use in June 2021.
Do you have a trash clean-up or litter reduction project that’s coming up, ongoing, or recently completed? Ask for help or share your success with the Trash Free Texas Community by sharing in our monthly update.