Free market solution to plastic pollution
All across Texas, from the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle, from Piney Woods to Permian Basin, communities are working to build a better tomorrow.
We have a free market solution that’s voluntary, cleans up Texas, and keeps our fish and wildlife safe while putting money in the pockets of Texans.
The best thing is it doesn’t raise taxes.
ABOUT US
Texans for Clean Water was formally organized in 2013 when Mike Garver of Houston and Trammell Crow of Dallas joined forces to bring the problem of floatable debris in our waterways to state and local officials. The goal of Texans for Clean Water is to organize a statewide group of business leaders, industries, and NGOs through a common initiative to prevent and remove waterborne litter. Restoring the viability of our waterways improves neighborhoods, brings recreational opportunities to our communities, and encourages economic growth.
THE FACTS
Plastic Waste in Texas By-The-Numbers
50% LESS
LITTER
in the 10 states with recycling rebate programs
9
Texas cities, from Laredo to Lufkin, spend tax dollars in excess of
$50 Million
on litter and illegal dumping each year
2030
When Texas' four largest population centers will start to run out of landfill space
UP TO
97%
participation rates in other states with the rebate program
TAKE
ACTION!
Inform Your Public Officials
Our local and state officials need to hear your stories about how litter is affecting your lives. (Click here to find who represents you). Ask them to support our innovative rebate program that provides a free market solution to our litter problem.
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Stay informed as policy moves through the process. We may need your help to spread the message, endorse the program, and even walk the halls of the Capitol in Austin.
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OUR FOUNDERS
Mike Garver
“The Trash Man of Buffalo Bayou” – As Chairman Emeritus of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership in Houston, Mike Garver truly is “The Trash Man of Buffalo Bayou.” Mike graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and has founded multiple companies including BRH-Garver Construction, LP, where he serves as CEO. The Trenchless Technology “Person-of-the-Year” and the Houston Product Partner “City Beautification” award winner is an important part of Texans for Clean Water.
Trammell S. Crow
Trammell S. Crow is the founder of EarthX, (formerly known as Earth Day Texas), the largest annual exposition and forum showcasing initiatives, research, innovations, policies and corporate practices serving the environment. With a focus on inspiring environmental leadership across sectors and party lines, Crow serves on the Board of Directors for Global Green and C2ES as well as Co-founder of Texas Business for Clean Air since 2008 and Texans for Clean Water since 2013. His philanthropy work benefits various nonprofit organizations that are active in family planning, education, the environment, community initiatives and political causes.
I.T. "Tex" Corley
I.T. “Tex” Corley helped form Texans for Clean Water from his wealth of experience. After graduating from Lamar University in 1971 with a BBA in Accounting, “Tex” began building an impressive resume that includes 10 years on the board of the Container Recycling Institute and 11 years as President of MedCon, a privately-owned medical waste disposal company. In 2009, he retired after 14 years as CEO of Strategic Materials, Inc.–the largest recycled glass processor in North America.
Chuck Carlberg
“A True Green Soul” – If he could, Chuck would bottle up everything that makes Houston such a wonderful place to live and work, so he can show the world. As “A True Green Soul”, Chuck strives to improve the quality of life in Houston. He served on the Houston Parks Board and Memorial Park Conservancy. He is also the past Chairman of Houston’s Buffalo Bayou Partnership and one of the founding members of the Quality of Life Coalition. Chuck loves the Houston region and is committed to protecting it. That is why he helped found Texans for Clean Water.
Ed Wulfe
Chances are Ed Wulfe has already made an impact on your community. The Chairman, CEO and founder of Wulfe & Co. and Texas A&M graduate's more than 50 years of experience in commercial real estate, community redevelopment, and civic leadership brought valuable insight to Texans for Clean Water. His renovation of Meyerland Plaza and the development of BLVD Place, among many other impactful projects, added to his extensive list of leadership roles in the city of Houston, including the Greater Houston Partnership and the Methodist Hospital center, which exhibit just a few of Ed Wulfe's contributions to the Houston area. We continue to honor Ed's legacy as a significant founder of Texans For Clean Water.
Additional Research & Information
■ Plastic to Work Initiative - Burns & McDonnell report, Texans for Clean Water engaged a third-party engineering firm to evaluate an innovative approach to address litter, create jobs, and rebuild communities by increasing the recovery and recycling of plastics in Texas. 1/2018
■ Cost of Litter and Illegal Dumping - Burns & McDonnell report titled The Cost of Litter and Illegal Dumping in Texas: A Study of Nine Cities Across the State. 2/20/2017
■ Port NOLA Trash Free Waters (TFW) Pilot Project - In collaboration with U.S. EPA, port tenants, and community stakeholders, Port NOLA is working to address the universal issue of trash, litter, and debris and preventing it from reaching our waterways. 11/3/2015
■ Stemming the Tide - Ocean Conservancy's 2015 report on a way forward to eliminate ocean plastic. Ocean Conservancy worked with the McKinsey Center for Business & Environment to lead a comprehensive study, Stemming the Tide supported by Alliance members, The Coca-Cola Company, the Dow Chemical Company, the American Chemistry Council, World Wildlife Fund, and the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (REDISA).
■ Texas Legislators' Interim Charge on Litter Study - The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs received an interim charge to "Study and make recommendations on the effects of windblown and waterborne litter. The study should include an analysis of the economic effects of litter, any necessary methods to prevent and remediate litter, and an assessment of state and local programs to reduce litter." Link to be updated as information becomes available. 10/8/2015
■ Data in the Heart of Texas - Resource Recycling reports a recent study indicates significant recycling opportunities exist in the Lone Star State, and the numbers have grabbed the attention of state legislators. 9/1/15
■ Conserve, Renew, Restore - Framework for Implementing the RESTORE Act on the Texas Gulf Coast. 8/2015
■ What's in Our Trash? - City of Austin, Waste Characterization Study 2015
■ Texas Recycling Data Initiative (TRDI) Report - State Of Texas Alliance of Recyclers report (TX rate 18.9%)
■ 2013 Texas Litter Survey - TxDOT Don't Mess with Texas Visible Litter Study Full Report
■ Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup Results - General Land Office Fall 2014 Location Report
■ Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup Top 10 Results - General Land Office Fall 2014 Items Report
■ Bottled Water and Energy Fact Sheet - The growing consumption of bottled water raises questions about the product’s economic and environmental costs. Among the most significant concerns are the resources required to produce plastic bottles and to deliver filled bottles to consumers, including both energy and water. 2/2007
■ Plastics Facts & Statistics - Container Recycling Institute
■ Laws on Illegal Dumping - TIDRC's 0verview of Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 365
■ United Nations Report - Plastic Waste Causes Financial Damage of US$13 Billion to Marine Ecosystems Each Year as Concern Grows over Microplastics. 6/23/2014
■ 2021 TCEQ Municipal Solid Waste in Texas: A Year in Review - 2021 data summary and analysis of waste generation and landfill capacity.
■ Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Report - Findings include 50 billion pieces of litter, 152 pieces for every person in America and more than 75% of public support for rebate/deposit systems.
■ 2020 Eunomia 50-States-of-Recycling - recycling rates for common container and packaging materials across all 50 US states–Texas ranks 42nd.
■ 2019 TxDOT Litter Survey - Most litter comes from people's vehicles and at least 25% is recyclable. Cleaning up roadways cost the state approximately $50 million per year.
■ City of Dallas Cost of Litter and Illegal Dumping report - Dallas spends a significant annual sum, approximately $20.4 million on
preventing, combatting, and cleaning up litter and illegal dumping. (2018)