Solid Waste Management Workshops

H-GAC hosted an Environmental and Historic Preservation Considerations in Debris Operations webinar on July 20, 2023. Subject-matter experts led the discussion on the role of regulatory agencies in debris operations, an overview of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), understanding environmental justice concerns, conducting disposal options, protection of wetlands, regulations on outdoor burning, disposal of deceased animals, handling and disposing of household hazardous materials, and historical considerations.

During this workshop, subject-matter experts led the discussion on disaster debris preparadness, debris management site selection and preparation, public information, and finances.

During this webinar participants heard from experts who have examined equity in solid waste services in Texas and other parts of the country. Participants also learned about H-GAC’s Regional Equity Tool and how you can use it in their communities. Speakers included Gena McKinley - City of Austin, Austin Resource Recovery; Andrew Linebarger - The Recycling Partnership; and Sayena Marandi - Houston-Galveston Area Council.

Participants at the workshop heard from Tetra Tech team about disaster debris related funding opportunities available to local jurisdictions. 

Participants at this workshop heard from Brandon Karr, Chief Pilot and UAS Program Coordinator, with the Pearland Police Department, the rules surrounding drone use and how they are used in environmental enforcement. 

Participants heard from those working in household hazardous waste and recycling about finding new solutions and strategies during challenging times. Speakers included Cheryl Burton- Fentress with the Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, and Adrian Hernandez abd Christina Greenamyre with Keep Pearland Beautiful which operates the Stella Roberts Recycling Center 

Participants had a conversation on the Texas Recycling Market Development Plan, released by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in August 2021. Presenters were Brittany Rosenberg with State of Texas Alliance for Recycling, and Scott Pasternak with Burns & McDonnell.

Participants in this workshop heard from experts across the region and state as they discussed strategies, resources, and innovative ideas to empower people to help reduce litter in their communities.

Agenda

• Texas Litter Database
  • Dr. Erin Kinney, Houston Advanced Research Center
• Trash Free Texas
  • Kendall Guidroz, Houston-Galveston Area Council
• Empowering Neighborhood Groups
  • TaKasha Francis, City of Houston
• Innovative Strategies and Resources to Encourage Litter Cleanups
  • Crysta Guzman, North Central Texas Council of Governments

Participants at this workshop learned emerging trends in disaster recovery, technology in disaster recovery, public information strategies following a disaster, and best practices in preparedness initiative. 

Participants at this workshop learned ways to manage the difficult aspects of their recycling program.

Participants at this half-day workshop learned about running a one-day collection event, HHW-specific outreach and education, operating a permanent facility, the impacts of COVID-19, and going beyond basic HHW collection. 

Participants at this half-day workshop learned about activities that can assist jurisdictions in being prepared to respond to and recover from a disaster debris generating incident.

H-GAC hosts quarterly Regional Recycling Roundtables to promote recycling and waste reduction and provide a forum for discussion about recycling issues within the H-GAC region. Some presentations from past roundtables are below.

H-GAC hosts quarterly Organics Recovery Roundtables to promote the recovery of food waste and other organic materials and provide a forum for discussion of challenges, possible solutions, successes, and new ideas within the H-GAC region. Some presentations from past roundtables are below.

Solid waste and recycling contracts are one of the largest value contracts for a local government. In addition, it is a long term partnership that is essential to achieving a community's solid waste management and recycling goals. Key topics of the workshop included the procurement process and contract provisions.

Food waste is one of the largest components of the waste stream in the United States. It is estimated that less than five percent of all food waste that can be diverted from landfills is actually being diverted. For this reason, H-GAC funded a study to see how commercial food waste diversion could be increased using a collaborative approach with the private sector.

This workshop provided participants with information on locating and developing partnership opportunities, best practices for contracts, and real world examples of how partnerships have been implemented in order to maximize budgets and benefits for all parties.

H-GAC, with the help of a consultant, conducted a study to estimate the current and potential economic contribution of the recycling industry in the region. This analysis was conducted with the following goals in mind:

• Encourage local governments to continue to invest (and ideally increase their investment) in recycling in the region
• Target specific types of recycling or reuse businesses to be nurtured and grown due to their potential impact on the regional economy
• Make the Houston-Galveston region more sustainable by viewing discarded materials as a resource rather than a waste

H-GAC hosted a workshop and invited Texas Department of Transportation and local governments to talk about incorporating recycled materials (concrete, asphalt shingles, compost, tires, and electronics) in future roadway projects while maintaining a quality product and strong budget.

Large venues and events generate a large amount of waste in a short period of time. These events are perfectly suited to promote recycling and provide an excellent forum to motivate event attendees, staff, and volunteers to lead as environmental stewards in a public setting. Fortunately, there are many ways for event organizers to dramatically reduce the amount of waste and make sure proper recycling measures are being applied.

Environmental Enforcement and Small Business Assistance
Thursday, January 22, 2015

Local Government and State Enforcement Coordination
Tuesday October 14, 2014

Illicit Discharges & Honey Trucks
Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Building a Good Case 
Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Junked Vehicles, Vehicle Storage Facilities, & Auto Parts Recyclers 
Thursday, November 7, 2013

Staying Safe when You Encounter Hazardous Materials 
Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Enforcement Challenges and Strategies in both Rural and Urban Communities
Thursday, April 25, 2013

Illegal Dumping In and Along Waterways 
Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Cool Tools - Cameras and GIS 
Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Civil Prosecution of Environmental Violations
Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Criminal Prosecution
Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Environmental Enforcement after a Natural Disaster
Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Tires - Generation, Storage and Transport
Thursday, October 13, 2011

Outdoor Burning
Thursday, July 14, 2011

Junk Vehicles
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Air Quality Issues
Thursday, January 27, 2011

Setting up Illegal Dumping Stings
Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Automotive Wrecking and Salvage Yards Enforcement and Licensing
Thursday, July 15, 2010

Illegally Dumped Medical Waste
Thursday, April 15, 2010

Interviewing Techniques for Environmental Crimes
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Do's and Don'ts for Environmental Investigators
Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Industrial Stormwater
Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Auto Salvage Yards 
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Pipe Salvage Yards
Thursday, November 13, 2008

Concrete Related Activities
Wednesday, July 16, 2008