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H-GAC's solid waste workshops focus on in-depth studies of different topics each quarter.
Upcoming Workshop
Check back for our next workshop.
Past Solid Waste Workshops
These quarterly workshops provide attendees with in-depth information on the selected topic.
Recycling Partnership Lunch and Learn (February 13, 2024)
( 1)
During this Lunch and Learn, The Recycling Partnership hosted a presentation, along with Keep Texas Beautiful, to provide information about who they are, their partners, available grants, and their data hub.
Secrets to a Successful Recycling Program (November 6, 2023)
( 3)
During this webinar participants heard about opportunities and challenges associated with running a successful recycling drop-off program. Speakers include Selina Valdez from the East Aldine Neighborhood Depository and Recycling Center and George Scullane from Keep Kingwood Green.
Environmental and Historic Preservation Considerations in Debris Operations Webinar (July 20, 2023)
( 2)
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.
Disaster Debris Management Best Practices Workshop (June 8, 2023)
( 1)
During this workshop, subject-matter experts led the discussion on disaster debris preparadness, debris management site selection and preparation, public information, and finances.
Equity in Solid Waste (January 20, 2023)
( 1)
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.
Disaster Debris Funding Opportunities for Local Jurisdictions (July 21, 2022)
( 2)
Participants at the workshop heard from Tetra Tech team about disaster debris related funding opportunities available to local jurisdictions.
Drones in Environmental Enforcement (July 14, 2022)
( 1)
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.
Annual Disaster Debris Workshop (May 5, 2022)
( 1)
Maintaining a Program in Difficult Times (February 24, 2022)
( 2)
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
A Look at the Texas Recycling Market Development Plan (November 18, 2021)
( 2)
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.
Empowering People To Help Reduce Litter in Their Communities (August 26, 2021)
( 4)
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
Disaster Debris (June 9, 2021)
( 1)
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.
Recycling (May 20, 2021)
( 5)
Participants at this workshop learned ways to manage the difficult aspects of their recycling program.
Household Hazardous Waste (February 25, 2021)
( 6)
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.
Debris Management Preparedness in Challenging Times (January 7, 2021)
( 1)
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.
Waste Diversion (August 26, 2020)
( 5)
Recycling (May 21, 2020)
( 5)
Environmental Enforcement (March 5, 2020)
( 5)
Challenging Waste Streams (November 21, 2019)
( 5)
Food Donation (August 22, 2019)
( 6)
Recycling (May 16, 2019)
( 7)
Environmental Enforcement (February 21, 2019)
( 5)
Solid Waste and Recycling Events and Workshops
As landfill space and raw materials become scarcer, recycling of used materials becomes a more cost effective and sensible option. Periodically H-GAC hosts workshops to bring new ideas and knowledge to local governments on a wide range of recycling-related topics.
Past Events
Municipal Solid Waste Generation and Diversion Forecast
( 2)
Regional Recycling Roundtables
( 23)
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.
Organics Recovery Roundtables
( 1)
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 Procurement
( 3)
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.
Commercial Food Waste Collection
( 2)
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.
Recycling Partnerships
( 6)
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.
Recycling's Economic Impact
( 3)
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
Using Recycled Content Products in Roadways
( 6)
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 Venue Recycling
( 7)
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
H-GAC hosts periodic workshops to provide a forum for learning about and discussing illegal dumping and related issues within the H-GAC region. The group includes peace officers, county prosecutors, city officials, and personnel from TCEQ's Region 12 office. If you want to be included in our invitation list for these events please contact Erin Livingston at [email protected].
Past Events
Environmental Enforcement Roundtables
( 9)
Tired of Tire Dumping? Strategies to Stop Illegal Disposal
( 5)
Compliance and Enforcement for Automotive Recyclers and Automotive Salvage Yards
( 12)
Compliance and Enforcement for Sandblasting and Metal Refinishing Operations
( 12)
Compliance and Enforcement for Concrete Related Activities
( 4)
Compliance and Enforcement for Environmental Investigators
( 9)
Environmental Sampling
( 11)
Civil and Criminal Environmental Enforcement and Prosecution
( 1)
Archived Rountables
List of Archived Roundtables
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
Pharmaceutical Waste Management
On October 27, 2009, the Houston-Galveston Area Council hosted a workshop "Pharmaceuticals Management for Local Governments", sponsored by Pharmecology and Waste Management. The event featured presentations by prominent local and statewide experts on promoting and facilitating the collection of pharmaceutical waste.
Participants heard regional success stories, learned about current regulations, and discussed strategies for improving collection in the Houston Galveston Area and around the State.
Workshop Presentations
( 9)
Dr. Matthew Mireles, M.P.H., Community Medical Foundation for Patient Safety
Jessica Huybregts, TCEQ, Water Supply Division, Public Drinking Water Section
Kati Stoddard, MS, University of North Texas, Institute of Applied Science Victoria Hodge, MS, City of Denton, Household Hazardous Waste Coordinator
Charlotte Smith, Director PharmEcology Services Waste Management Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
Dr. Jeanie Jaramillo, PharmD Managing Director; Texas Panhandle Poison Center Assistant Professor; Pharmacy Practice Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy