Wondering just how enthusiastic North Texans really are when it comes to recycling?  Well, there is not one, but two recycling organizations in the area and each one has plenty to offer.

The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling North Texas and the North Texas Corporate Recycling Association are both active groups and each one is gearing up for its annual awards ceremony. Deadline to apply for the STAR North Texas' North Texas Recycling Leadership Awards has been extended to July 8. Deadline for NTCRA's gR3een awards is July 15.

Wendy Chance, chair of the STAR North Texas group, says that their mission is to increase recycling in Texas. 

“We work to engage local municipalities and governmental entities as well as businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.”

According to the NTCRA’s website, the group promotes recycling and the use of recycled goods to area businesses through leadership, advocacy and education.

In 2014, the two groups experimented partnering together with a plan to eventually merge the two organizations. However, the organizations have decided that it’s better to work together under different umbrellas.

“In 2015, we sent out a survey to STAR North Texas and the North Texas Corporate Recycling Alliance members along with everyone else on our mailing list,” says Chance. “Our intention was to survey the members to see how they felt about NTCRA dissolving their 501c3 and becoming a part of STAR North Texas. In November 2015, after two years of entertaining the idea, NTCRA made the decision to continue to operate individually.”  

Lora Hinchcliff, president of NTCRA, says the two organizations still do joint events.

“Both organizations still partner on the annual Recycler’s Golf Tournament, and this year we celebrate our 20th tournament partnership.”

The proceeds from the tournament are shared by the two non-profit organizations to help promote recycling and waste reduction in local communities. NTCRA also cross-promotes STAR events to its membership to help increase awareness and participation.

One event that will be separate this year will be the annual awards.

The STAR North Texas' 2016 North Texas Recycling Leadership Awards winners will be honored during an Awards Luncheon on Aug. 11 and winners will be eligible to progress to the State Level STAR Awards Competition. There are a variety of categories including North Texas Volunteer of the Year, Distinguished Greenscape Project, Outstanding Recycling Partnership and the Rachael Green Sustainability Leadership Award, to name a few. 

NTCRA's North Texas Recycling Awards – the gRᵌeen Awards – will be at the Dallas Arboretum on Sept. 16. Categories for these awards include Superior Waste Minimization, Excellence in Material Recovery, gR3een Thumb, Recycler of the Year and gR3een Media.  

Both organizations will continue to be separate, yet unified and Hinchcliff concludes that the benefits of the two groups staying separate mean that at the end of the day“both groups are striving to reduce waste, while increasing reuse and recycling in Texas.”

Chance adds “Two organizations in the DFW area means more opportunity for people to get involved and more educational events.”

North Texas Recycling Leadership Awards

Hosted by: State of Texas Alliance for Recycling North Texas

Application Deadline: July 8

Awards ceremony: Aug. 11

Website 

 

gR3een Awards

Hosted by: North Texas Corporate Recycling Association

Application deadline: July 15

Awards ceremony: Sept. 16

Website 


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