Our Zero Waste Future

RGV & Texas Zero Waste Initiatives

aerial view of trees on the field
Together we are making a better future

for the Rio Grande Valley.

Businesses & Circular Economy
  • City of McAllen Composting Facility: One of the most successful municipal programs in Texas. They take ground brush and green waste collected from the community and turn it into “Class A” Premium Compost that residents can buy back.
  • Milestone Environmental: A leader in carbon sequestration and industrial waste management, focusing on helping businesses in the region reach “net-zero” goals through deep-well injection technology.
  • The eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization: Located in Brownsville, they support “Adopt A Startup,” where students help entrepreneurs develop sustainable business models.
Organizations & Coalitions
  • Zero Waste Rio Grande Valley (OZWF South Texas): This branch is currently launching a pilot zero-waste cooperative. Their goal is to train residents in colonias on sustainable business development and waste reduction, turning environmental action into economic mobility.
  • Save RGV: A major nonprofit focused on environmental justice and sustainability. They are active in advocacy (like monitoring industrial wastewater) and promoting the health of the entire Valley ecosystem.
  • Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC): Based nearby in Laredo but influential across the region, they focus on preserving the Rio Grande-Rio Bravo. They lead binational collaborations for river stewardship and recently received major grants for school-yard forests.
  • Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC): This is the regional planning body that manages solid waste grants for cities and schools to improve recycling and resource use across the Valley.
Schools & Universities
  • UTRGV (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley)” runs Sustainability Ambassadors” and “College Green Captains” programs. The campus encourages “Honoring Abuelas” by repurposing plastic food containers (like butter tubs for salsa) and offers specialized recycling for toner and electronics. Similar to other UT campuses, student groups often organize sales of donated dorm items to keep furniture out of landfills.
  • K-12 Schools: Many schools in the Valley participate in the “Bag It!” program through the City of McAllen or apply for LRGVDC grants to start campus recycling and composting programs.