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For Texans, It Pays to Recycle

Pilot program will provide incentives to El Paso residents who drop off PET containers.

Matt Stonecash
Edited by:  Matt Stonecash
Associate Editor, Plastics Technology Magazine

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Consumers will receive incentives for dropping off thermoformed PET packaging to any of the four El Paso area Sam’s Clubs. The program is funded by Texans for Clean Water, a non-profit organization that targets waterway litter, and managed by Texan by Nature, a non-profit that promotes projects that unite conservation and business leaders. Accepted items will include clear clamshell containers for fruit or produce, trays, tubs, cups, lids, and egg cartons.

According to the National Association for PET Container Resources, only 54% of Americans have access to collection for these types of products, and only 9% of production is collected.

Collection bin at Sams

Collection points are located at El Paso area Sam’s Club locations.
Photo Credit: Walmart

Green Impact Plastics will use the collected materials to make recycled plastic, which D6 will in turn use to create new packaging. Organizers will use data from the project to inform future efforts. The goal of the program is to recycle 110,000 lb of PET by January 2023.

Organizers hope that by incentivizing collection, the program will reduce litter cleanup costs borne by local taxpayers, estimated at $6 million per year. Participants will use a new smartphone app called Mecycle to record the waste they turn in and rack up rewards, which they can either claim via Venmo or send to a local charity.

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