Currently there are 2,300 acres allocated for landfill space for this region – a capacity that Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reports will fill up within 20 years. Estimates of capacity are constantly changing as new permits are accepted or denied making it difficult to obtain an approximate number for years of remaining landfill capacity.
An EPA study shows that almost all landfills eventually end up leaking into the ground adversely affecting water sources.
Source reduction programs are paramount and will ultimately depend on an informed public. Citizens just like you need to plug into more recycling efforts and become more educated about the long-term consequences of landfills and the benefits of recycling. If citizens have curbside recycling programs they need to maximize their participation. If not, they need to demand better recycling options and take advantage of drop off points.
The mountain of trash and debris is rising. Houston can still support this type of policy and legislation on producer takeback, minimize its waste and save taxpayers money. How will you make a difference?
Excerpt from Clean Houston:
Landfills: A concern piling up
by Geoffrey Castro, October 2006
Clean Houston
Ecology Action of Texas
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Recycling Alliance of Texas
Earth Share of Texas
Green Star North America
Earth 911
