How to Recycle on the Island
Keepin It Green Galveston: Curbside Recycling
Once a week, a truck stops in front of my house and empties my container full of beer cans, Diet Coke cans, plastic water bottles, & cardboard (lots of cardboard from Amazon boxes).
Keepin It Green, Galveston is a local service designed to bring awareness to the environment, create jobs, and maintain the beauty of the island. Since the city does not offer curbside recycling, I think this is just great.
The cost is only $15 per month with a $35 setup, which gets you the recycling container.
Mardi Gras Beads – After the Pawty
Most of us have a junk drawer or box in the closet full of Mardi Gras beads. So, what do you do with your prized possessions after the pawty is over?
Give them to the animal shelter!
The Galveston Island Humane Society sponsors the Krewe of Barkus & Meoux parade on the second Sunday of Mardi Gras each year. It’s my favorite parade!
They accept beads to throw next year. Simply drop them off at the shelter at 6814 Broadway (past Target on the feeder road).
Galveston Island Brewing: Baby Food Jars
This one recently showed up on my Facebook wall.
Galveston Island Brewing posted:
“Galveston Island Brewing is BIG on recycling! From our pallet stools you sit on to our flights you sip on, we believe a creative mind and a little ingenuity can turn any trash into treasure. Want to help us? We are happily accepting your clean and dry 2 or 4 oz. baby food jars.”
Apparently, the jars are the perfect size for sampling their beer flights.
You never know what’s gonna happen at this brewery, from Yoga classes to Hawaiian Luaus. After all, the owner is a former tug boat captain. This is a fun place doing good.
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Target: Ink Cartridges, Cell Phones & MP3 Players
Target RecyclingTarget has recycle bins in the store for cans, glass, plastic bottles, plastic bags, MP3 players, ink cartridges and cell phones.
At the Galveston location, the bins are between the checkout registers and the Pizza Hut area.
The program is an extension of the companies recycling efforts, and so far, the program has kept thousands of tons of recycled materials out of landfills.
While you’re at Target, don’t forget to bring your reusable bag. Each time a guest buys something, they offer a 5-cent discount for each reusable bag they use. So far, Target guests have used more than 190 million reusable bags instead of paper or plastic.
East End: Paper & Cardboard
Lindale Park RecyclingLindale Park has big dumpsters for paper and cardboard. This remote recycling site is a collaboration between the City of Galveston and the University Area Association.
If you have some big boxes and live on the East End, this is the place for you.
The Lindale Park bins are located on Marine Street near Dolphin Avenue in Fish Village.
And, there’s a bonus! Lindale Park has a great fenced dog area, so bring your pawty animal and enjoy.
East End: Paper & Cardboard
Lindale Park RecyclingLindale Park has big dumpsters for paper and cardboard. This remote recycling site is a collaboration between the City of Galveston and the University Area Association.
If you have some big boxes and live on the East End, this is the place for you.
The Lindale Park bins are located on Marine Street near Dolphin Avenue in Fish Village.
And, there’s a bonus! Lindale Park has a great fenced dog area, so bring your pawty animal and enjoy.
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The City’s Eco Center: All That Other Stuff
Galveston Eco CenterThe City of Galveston’s recycling center is located at 702 61st Street (across from Target).
This is where you can drop off the weird stuff, like big appliances, antifreeze, used oil, old gas, car batteries, car tires, and old computers.
Of course, they also take the normal stuff like paper, plastics, and glass, if not broken.
A complete list is located here.
The times I’ve been there, the staff was friendly and helpful. But, note, you must bring your water bill or driver’s license that shows you live in Galveston.
Galveston.com’s Office: The Coffee Dilemma
Coffee CupsMany in the office used to spend a lot of time and money buying coffee at local coffee shops. So, we bought an espresso machine (we get our espresso beans at Mod). But, then, someone wanted a Keurig so we bought that.
Then, we started buying styrofoam coffee cups by the case. But, my newfound eco view on life inspired me to make some office changes.
I suggested that we replace the Keurig with a traditional small coffee maker to reduce the waste of the plastic K-cups. That idea was rejected.
We bought compostable paper cups to offer clients and the office coffee drinkers brought a mug to the office.
This is what I learned:
- Compostable paper coffee cups are three times more expensive than styrofoam.
- Nobody in the office has a compost pile.
- We use twice as many paper towels now drying our cups after cleaning.
- I have the best mug in the office.
- Do not mess with peoples Keurig machine. They get wound up.
I’m afraid I can’t help you with the coffee issue, but good luck recycling! There’s a comment box below if you have anything to add.
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Lee Roane
Lee Roane has worked on the Galveston.com website since 1994. He is interested in history and birding but will write about anything if he thinks it will help someone enjoy the island.
