Jan 02 2025
H-E-B Community Recycling Investments
The H-E-B Community Recycling Investments program helps communities build sustainable recycling opportunities
The H-E-B Community Recycling Investments Program was established in 2021 to address recycling access in underserved Texas communities.
Through the Keep Texas Recycling (KTR) program, Keep Texas Beautiful and H-E-B work together to identify target communities to enhance their local recycling efforts through strategic investments in infrastructure and education. The H-E-B Community Recycling Investments program helps communities build sustainable recycling opportunities and offers education and promotion about recycling to increase community participation and decrease contamination.
The Keep Texas Recycling program provides technical assistance by identifying communities in need of recycling infrastructure and support, assists with identifying and obtaining the necessary equipment and funding, and implementing the processes and education required to start and sustain successful drop-off recycling programs. Collaboration is one of the key factors to a successful project, and the program works closely with local elected officials, Councils of Government, school districts, Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates, and community leaders. The program gives special consideration for projects in areas that do not have access to recycling or are ready to expand the types of materials collected.
Projects
Burleson County
Pop. 18,000 | $38,400
Burleson County added an additional drop-off location with their funding. The grant supported the construction of a three sided recycling building to serve as the County’s Recycling Center. They also purchased a cardboard baler with the funds provided by the Community Recycling Investment.
Pharr
Pop. 80,000 | $20,000
Keep Texas Beautiful collaborated with Pharr to address the need for a dedicated baler for used beverage cans (UBC), which created additional space for collections. Pharr also prioritized community education and outreach by producing educational flyers, magnets, and backpacks for distribution at events. They shared these materials with 80 students in the local school district and with volunteers participating in their Trash Bash cleanup events.
Floresville
Pop. 8,306 | $81,000
Floresville, located in Wilson County, reached out to KTB to explore ways to provide recycling access for residents. The city repurposed an unused warehouse, using their funding to establish infrastructure such as electricity, two balers, a yard ramp for loading finished bales, and signage.
2021-2024 Impact
Community Recycling Investments
Other rural Texas communities who received funding through the H-E-B Community Recycling Investments include:
- Bandera County
- Cuero
- Fayette County
- Ingleside
- San Angelo
- Texas City
A number of these communities have received funding for multiple stages of their recycling improvement projects.
16
Community Recycling Investment Projects
$500,00+
Invested in Rural Recycling
647,688
Texans who gained access to recycling through the program
2,698,060 pounds
of materials recycled in these communities
KTB is proud to partner with H-E-B to ensure all Texans have access to recycling opportunities
