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Recycling & Sustainability      Sustainability and Environmental Services Plano, like many cities across the country, is focusing on creating a sustainable living environment.  Do you consider transportation, energy, water or pollution when you think of sustainability?  Well, those of us who are unfamiliar with the term do not, but we all should.  This site provides a glimpse into the many different topics that determine whether or not we are living in and maintaining a sustainable environment.  This Web site features resources established at a local, state, and federal level designed to help citizens understand, achieve and maintain sustainability.   The City of Plano Sustainability & Environmental Services Department provides weekly refuse/trash collection services to Plano residences.  Less waste and more recycling mean that fewer natural resources need to be extracted.  In addition, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacture, distribution, use and subsequent disposal of products are reduced as a result of the increased recycling and waste reduction. Click link for details. Live Green in Plano means reducing our impact on the environment by addressing many issues including: transportation, energy, green building and remodeling, household products, yard and garden, waste reduction, food and agriculture, water, lifestyle and recreation.  Click link for details. Click here for Live Green in Plano upcoming events   Keep Plano Beautiful (KPB) empowers individuals to take responsibility for enhancing their community through litter awareness, prevention and beautification.  Click link for details.    Landscaping Techniques   Proper landscaping can do much more than just enhance the appearance of a home or community.  In fact, using different landscaping techniques can prove to be an effective way to achieve energy efficiency, resource conservation and environmental sustainability.   North Central Texas SmartScape specifies many different principles and tools that are "Smart" for your area.  Some of the topics featured on the main page of this site include Maintenance, Design Tools and Rules and Regulations -(things to consider when SmartScaping).  Click link(s) for details. Xeriscaping Techniques is a systematic method of promoting water conservation in landscaped areas.  Click link for details.            Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)  Recommends different landscaping techniques that can be practiced to achieve a variety of goals using natural elements.  Three of the many landscaping functions are outlined on the EERE website.  Click link(s) for details. Landscaping Water Conservation Landscape Windbreaks Landscape Shading Landscaping Water Conservation in Texas Landscaping Water of Conservation in Texas discusses the importance of landscaping (xeriscaping) for water conservation specifically in Texas.  Xeriscaping information is provided in a few sources, but this academic study specializes on past and recent conditions in Texas.  See article excerpt below. An adequate supply of high quality water has become a critical issue for the future prosperity of Texas.  Booming populations have increased the demand on the state's already limited supply of high quality water. In addition, seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and periodic droughts...follow link for complete article Water Conservation Water is our most valuable natural resource; nothing can survive without it.  Water conservation is a topic often mentioned simultaneously with energy efficiency and sustainability.  The local, state and federal resources below provide a variety of information on water conservation.    The CITY OF PLANO has made aggressive strides to educate its citizens on water conservation! Click here to view Plano's water quality, conservation and education site. The City of Plano cancelled its water restrictions and moved to a voluntary conservation plan.  Click here for the press release; Click here for article details. Click here to read article titled Summertime Taste and Odor of Tap Water by the North Texas Municipal Water District Click here for the City of Plano's Conservation Programs and Information. Click here for a Landscape Watering Guide. Now you can VIEW YOUR WATER BILL online!  Click link for details.   North Central Texas SmartScape explains methods and procedures to help you conserve water, save money on your water bills, beautify you home and local environment, and prevent and help reduce stormwater pollution.  This link will direct you to the Watering & Conservation section of the SmartScape Web site. The North Texas Municipal Water District ("NTMWD" or "the District") acquires, treats, and distributes potable water, and collects, treats and disposes of wastes, both liquid and solid, in order to reduce pollution, conserve and develop the natural resources of Texas.  The NTMWD meets the various needs of the member and customer cities, whether that is the need for drinking water, solid waste disposal or wastewater treatment.  Click the link for details. The Water IQ: "Know Your Water” campaign educates utility customers and businesses about their water sources and provides simple tips on how to be more efficient with water.  Click links for details. Water IQ – test and pledge Conservation Tips – ways to save water   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Sense: Efficiency Made Easy site features a map containing links for state-specific water efficiency and conservation programs.  NOTE: this site identifies the name of the department website for each state.   Click link for details. Outdoor Water Use in the United States, Water Efficiency, Why Water Efficiency, Benefits of Water Efficiency, and Simple Steps to Save Water are topics highlighted on the EPA Water Sense: Efficiency Made Easy Consumer site.  These topics address American water consumption inside and outside of the home; the idea of conserving water resources through the employment of water-saving technologies; the importance of water efficiency; the benefits (such as saving water and money) of water efficiency; and some simple steps to saving water.  Click link for details.         Home >> Funding Sources >> Energy Efficiency >> Recycling & Sustainability >> Definitions >> Site Map