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2008
JULY
Breathe Easy, Air North Texas
As the only Collin County participant, the City of Plano proudly announces its charter partnership with the North Central Texas Council of Government’s (NCTCOG) Air North Texas public education campaign.
“Air North Texas is an initiative involving both private and public sectors, along with non-profit organizations, to promote reducing emissions as a means of improving air quality,” said Janet Tucker, Environmental Health Specialist. The City of Plano will provide educational outreach through events such as the Live Green Expo planned for April 18, 2009. Click here for more ...
Live Green, Lead Green - Environmental Award Nomination Deadline Approaches
The Environmental Star of Excellence Awards celebrates the strides the City of Plano has made as a community over the last year in environmental initiatives and honors the people and community partners making a difference.
Nomination packets are available on-line at www.livegreeninplano.com. An application form must be included with each nomination and must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Aug.1, 2008 by a third-person nominator or by self-nomination. Click here for more ...
MAY
Sales Tax Holiday Encourages Texans to Choose Energy Efficient Household Equipment
During Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes when they purchase certain energy efficient appliances and other household equipment bearing an Energy Star label.
“The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday is a new annual tax holiday that gives Texans an extra incentive to replace old appliances with energy efficient models,” Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said. “Shoppers will pay no sales tax on selected Energy Star products and they will save even more on their future utility bills as Energy Star qualified appliances use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.” Click here for more ...
From Wind Storm to Windfall, Storm Cleanup Continues
The Environmental Waste Services (EWS) department continues to work their way through City neighborhoods and rights-of-way to collect an inordinate amount of tree trimmings, yard clippings and damaged fence panels placed out for collection as a result of recent storms.
The City of Plano’s landscape collection crews have worked six days per week averaging over 13 hours per day since April 10. Crews completed the first collection pass on all scheduled routes by last Friday. On Saturdays, crews continue to concentrate on collecting piles of brush and tree branches placed along the curbs in the collection area typically scheduled for Mondays. Currently, staff is working to complete the second pass along scheduled routes and projects completion by the end of next week. Click here for more ...
APRIL
Spring Greening Breaks Records During Great American Cleanup®
Spring cleaning means spring greening for the City of Plano. The 23rd Annual Great American Cleanup® kicked off a month of Earth Day activities and expanded on the traditional litter abatement activities by including recycling opportunities. In addition to cleaning Plano’s parks, greenbelts, trails and 78 miles of creekways, Keep Plano Beautiful hosted a document shredding event and offered avenues to recycle eyeglasses, shoes, clothing and cellphones. A new feature to this year’s event was a plastic bag exchange. Residents brought used plastic shopping bags and exchanged them for a lightweight, durable reusable bag. The plastic bags will be recycled into a lumber-like material and used to manufacture park benches and fences. Click here for more ...
City Staff Collaborates onStorm Cleanup
Last week’s storm left wind-damaged buildings, decimated trees, collapsing fences and a surplus of debris in its wake. As tree limbs dangle from power lines and trash carts tumble into alleyways, city departments are working collaboratively to respond to the cleanup effort and expedite the recovery process. “This storm caused more damage than last year’s weather events,” said Robert Smouse, Environmental Waste Services. “Our team of employees and supervisors are exceptional. The personal pride each team member has demonstrated is inspirational and has helped motivate everyone to stay focused on safety and excellent customer service. It may take several weeks to respond to the initial surge in storm debris volume, but we will get the job done!”
Storm Damage Procedures for Residential Pickup
Due to the tremendous number of trees down as a result of this morning’s storm, city crews are in the process of clearing streets and rights-of-way as their top priority. To report a tree blocking a street or alley, please call the Public Works Department at 972-769-4140. As a result of the volumes, all the tree limbs and other excessive brush may not be picked up at the same time during resident’s normal route schedule. The route driver may have to return the following week to collect the remaining brush. Click here for more ...
MARCH
The Buzz on Bees
Bees are buzzing in the news lately and local beekeepers, Susan and Brandon Pollard will explain why. The next installment of the Learn Green to Live Green speaker series will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25 at Parkway Service Center, located at 4120 Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75093. Residents will get a peek at the bee-keeping profession, learn the significance of colony collapse disorder and discover how to participate in an "Adopt-a-Bee" program. There are many virtues of honey and attendees will have fun learning all about the bees. The program is free and open to the public. Click here for more ...
FEBRUARY
Great American Cleanup™ Registration Deadline Nears
Spring cleaning takes on a community meaning with the 2008 Great American Cleanup™. Keep Plano Beautiful (KPB) needs volunteers on Saturday, April 5 to create a cleaner, greener Plano through community-wide litter abatement and special recycling opportunities. Pre-registration is required for the event and t-shirts will be given to volunteers while supplies last. Online registration is available at the KPB Web site, www.keepplanobeautiful.org. The online registration deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, March 21. Click here for more ...
2007
NOVEMBER
Rejoice in a Greener Holiday Season
Reduce consumption, recycle, re-give and rejoice in a greener holiday season. Learn how to enjoy the holidays without the waste by attending the “Living Green Through the Holidays” educational seminar. Click here for more ...
OCTOBER
Learn to Live Green and Volunteer
Living green begins with learning green. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 31 for the Live Green in Plano Volunteer Program, a free series of training classes designed to educate residents on green living topics and enable volunteers to share their expertise with others. Click here for more ...
SEPTEMBER
Cawley Wilcox Pledges to LEED
“Cawley Wilcox, a leading commercial real estate development and management company in the Southwest, vowed to “change the color of real estate” by pledging that its future commercial property developments will be designed for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The announcement was made at the site of what will be the first LEED-certified building for Cawley Wilcox and the City of Plano. The 180,000-square-foot, three-story Wilcox Center complex will be located at President George Bush Turnpike and Independence Pkwy. (3033 State Hwy. 190) in Plano.
In addition, Cawley Wilcox and Plano Mayor Pat Evans announced a partnership that will adjoin the City’s environmental programs with the company’s goals and logistical needs. Cawley Wilcox hopes the Plano relationship will serve as a model to develop similar partnerships with other municipalities where the company owns and manages properties.” Click here for more ...
AUGUST
Environmental Star of Excellence Nominations Deadline Approaching
The Environmental Star of Excellence (ESOE) Awards recognize outstanding environmental stewardship efforts by local businesses in six award categories. The City of Plano’s Commercial Recycling Program announced the deadline for submitting nominations is Sept. 30, 2007.
“The ESOE Awards highlight the city’s BEST (Businesses Embracing Sustainability Together) businesses and encourage others to participate in recycling and other sustainable business practices,” said Robert Smouse, Operations Manager, Environmental Waste Services. Click here for more ...
Back-to-School Means Shredding Paper
A free document and paper shredding service highlights the “Live Green in Plano Back to School Recycling” initiative. The City of Plano, in partnership with local Wal-Mart stores and CINTAS, will securely shred material for residents from 9 – 11 a.m. this Saturday, Aug. 18 at no charge to Plano resident. Click here for more ...
Children in the Garden – Eat What They Grow
Children and gardening go together like peas in a pod. “Kids in the Garden: Planting a Garden They Can Eat,” is a new class offered this fall by the Sustainability and Environmental Services department for children in second- through fourth-grades. Click here for more ...
JULY
Residential Waste Disposal Guidelines Slated to Change Aug. 1
The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) announced changes in the types and quantities of residential waste acceptable for drop-off at local transfer stations and the 121 Regional Disposal Facility to begin Aug.1. Click here for more ...
Electronic Recycling Program Relocates to Plano Business
The City of Plano’s Electronic Recycling Program keeps hazardous components like lead, copper and mercury out of the landfill by providing a responsible alternative to throwing computers, monitors and electronics in the garbage. Beginning in July, the location for the program has been changed to include an established community business partner, Elliott’s Hardware. Click here for more ...
Speaking of Green
Living green in Plano begins with speaking green. The City of Plano’s Sustainability and Environmental Services department invites residents to the Live Green in Plano Library Speakers Series, held in conjunction with the Plano Public Library System. Click here for more ...
JUNE
MEDIA ALERT: Green ‘n’ Clean Garage and Get on the Bus Tour to Help Residents Live Green and Save Money - Public invited to free events to learn how to garden more bio-friendly and save water.
WHAT: The Green ‘n’ Clean Garage is an interactive, walk-through exhibit geared to educate residents about green purchasing choices and decisions they can make related to organic gardening alternatives, recycling, composting, bio-friendly pest control and water conservation and harvesting. Click here for more ...
Volunteer and Live Green
Live Green in Plano Volunteer classes, offered by the Sustainability and Environmental Services department, will offer residents free training and practical ways to live more eco-friendly. The first in a series of training classes will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, June 11 at Parkway Service Center, 4120 W. Plano Pkwy and Commerce. Subsequent classes will be held on the following Mondays: June 18 and 25, July 2, 9 and 16. Click here for more ...
Plano Spruced Up During Great American Cleanup™
Keep Plano Beautiful’s (KPB) 2007 GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP™ resulted in a cleaner, greener community. Despite the bitter cold winds and near freezing temperature, over 1,845 volunteers registered to participate in the event, along with 104 organized groups. Click here for more ...
Storm Debris Collection Completed
The City of Plano’s Environmental Waste Services division has completed its collection of an inordinate volume of yard trimmings and debris. The collections crush was a result of recent storms rolling through North Texas beginning May 2. Click here for more ...
Spring into Summer with Environmental Classes
Learn the basics of drought-tolerant, environmentally responsible gardening through the Yardwise educational series offered by the City of Plano’s Sustainability and Environmental Services department. Click here for more ...
MAY
Electronics Recycling Bill Clears the Texas State Legislature without a Dissenting Vote
The Texas State Legislature passed HB 2714 (Bonnen) today when the Texas House of Representatives voted to concur with amendments made in the Texas Senate. The bill would require computer makers to provide consumers with convenient and free recycling. The bill now goes to the desk of Governor Rick Perry where a veto is not anticipated. Click here for more ...