3R Bazaar

3R Bazaar: Light Bulb Recycling

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Recycle Light Bulbs; earn scholarship funds for your village!

If you feel in the dark about light bulb disposal, here’s a bright idea: recycle used light bulbs to earn scholarship money! The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department has selected Incandescent, Compact Fluorescent (CFL) and LED light bulbs for the annual Village Recycling Challenge held at the 3R Recycling Drive-thru on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 9 a.m. to noon in The Woodlands High School’s parking lot. Light bulbs must be intact, not broken. Batteries and other listed items will also be accepted. This event is for residents only, no businesses. 

This year’s Recycling Village Challenge shines a light on the importance of responsible waste disposal. Recycling light bulbs saves material that can be reused, reduces landfill space, and keeps hazardous chemicals out of our environment. Although they are made of glass, metal and plastic, light bulbs cannot be recycled in your curbside cart.  

How are light bulbs recycled?

Light bulbs are put through a machine, called a tumbler, which crushes and separates the primary components: glass, metal, plastic, mercury and phosphor. These materials are then stored for manufacturing into new items.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) contain a small amount of mercury gas. If CFLs are disposed of in a trash can or landfill, the glass can crack and release mercury into the environment. Chemicals from CFLs and other hazardous waste, such as batteries that end up in the landfill, can leach into the surrounding water table, endangering human health and the environment. CFLs and other household hazardous waste should always be treated with care and safely disposed of through special collections. If you are saving CFL bulbs for recycling, please store them in a safe place such as their original box to avoid damage. 

Want to save money, energy and even water? 

LED light bulbs use 80% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, saving energy, money and even water. They also pose almost no fire risk because they emit less heat than other bulbs. LED lightbulbs may cost more up front, but they’ll save you hundreds or thousands of dollars over the years because of efficiency and long life span.  

Join us for free recycling of select items and support your village by bringing Incandescent, Compact Fluorescent (CFL) and LED light bulbs to the 3R Recycling Drive-thru for the Village Recycling Challenge. The village that collects the most will receive a donation, from The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N., to its scholarship fund.

Can’t make it to 3R Recycling Drive-thru?  

That’s ok! The Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Center (1122 Pruitt Road in Spring), Home Depot, Lowes, Batteries Plus and Best Buy accept different types of light bulbs all year. For a comprehensive list of local recycling opportunities of other oddities such as electronics, batteries, paints, pharmaceuticals, and more check out the Recycle More Guide.  

For more information, visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/3rbazaar

3R Drive-thru Results

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Woodlands residents saved over 17,000lbs of waste from the landfill at the 3R Drive-thru event.  

The Woodlands Township hosted the 3R Drive-thru on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 9 a.m. to noon at The Woodlands High School. 750 vehicles drove through the event for free recycling of select items and secure document shredding.  

With the help of local partner organizations, more than 17,000 pounds of material was collected for recycling including 9,547 pounds of shredded paper by Shred It, 5,114 pounds of batteries by U-Waste Recycling Solutions, 2,692 pounds of textiles by Simple Recycling, 1,800 pairs of eyeglasses by The Woodlands Lions Club, 100 pounds of oral care products and two pounds of disposable razors by Junior Girl Scout Troop #108094, 10 pounds of snack and drink pouches by Hailey Elementary PTA and Wilkerson Intermediate PTO, and 1,200 cubic feet of block Styrofoam.  

$2,534 and 1,010 pounds of canned food items were also collected and donated to Interfaith of The Woodlands Food Pantry. Volunteers from National Charity League Texas Laurels (NCL) and National Charity Roundtable (NCR) assisted with event operations. 

Congratulations Grogan’s Mill Village for first place!

The 2020 Recycling Village Challenge item was batteries. The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. awards money to each village scholarship program based on pounds of batteries collected per capita (pounds of batteries collected per household in each village). 

Between annual 3R events, residents are encouraged to recycle rechargeable batteries at the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Facility (Montgomery County residents only), Batteries Plus Bulbs, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s or a Walmart Super Center. Single-use alkaline batteries can be recycled at Batteries Plus Bulbs or the Precinct 3 Recycling Facility. For more opportunities to recycle items not accepted in curbside recycling carts please check out the Recycle More Guide. 

The 3R Drive-thru is a free program of The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department with sponsorship from Chevron Phillips Chemical, Waste Management, Woodlands Water, Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. and Woodlands Wholesale Nursery. For more information about recycling, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/recycling or contact the Township Environmental Services Department at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.  

Questions or comments? Email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

3R Recycling Drive-thru is this Saturday

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Celebrate America Recycles Day at this convenient, free one-day recycling event from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle or bicycle on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of The Woodlands High School (enter from Millennium Forest Dr). 

This recycling drive-thru event provides opportunities to recycle items that cannot be recycled in curbside carts. Refer to the list below for accepted items and guidelines. Free recycling is for residents only, please no businesses.   

Please note, for the safety of staff, volunteers and residents, the following guidelines are in place. All volunteers and staff will wear face coverings. Participants are required to wear a face covering, as well, while items are being removed from the car. If you don’t have one, we’re happy to provide one. 

This year’s Village Recycling Challenge item is Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries. This friendly competition awards funds for scholarships to Villages with the highest participation; funds are donated by The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. Please label your bag/box of batteries with your Village’s name. 

Free 1-Day Drive-thru Recycling  

Bag or box items separately by category and place them in your trunk or rear passenger–side seat for safe access by volunteers. A volunteer will open the trunk or rear-side passenger door to remove items. Residents only, no businesses please.   

  • Batteries – Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V labeled with village name. 
  • Disposable razors and packaging. See this list for examples. 
  • Eyeglasses, sunglasses and cases  
  • Oral Care Products – Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers. 
  • Snack and drink pouches – Any brand with straws and pouch lids. See this list for examples. 
  • Styrofoam block packaging – No food containers or cups. 
  • Textiles – Overly worn clothing, shoes, linens, fabric scraps and other unusable textiles. Please donate any good, usable items to local charities here. 

Document Shredding  

  • Secure on-site document shredding   
  • Residential only - limited capacity (first come, first served)   
  • Recommended donation of 5 cans of food or $5 per box; benefits Interfaith Food Pantry  

Can’t make it to 3R? 

That’s ok! Check out the Recycle More Guide for a list of local recycling opportunities. Remember, if someone else can use these items, donate first! 

Questions or comments? Email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov 

Fall in love with nature at these upcoming events

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Rainscaping employs any combination of plants, water features, and permeable surfaces to catch and use rain as opposed to letting it run into the street. It dramatically reduces your water use while making plants healthier. No need to redesign your whole yard to make the rain work for you.  Discover simple strategies you can mix and match to suit your landscape needs. Learn how to scale elements for the size of your yard or project area and get advice on selecting plants and trees that flourish in our challenging climate.  

Megan McNairn, The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Education Specialist, will share easy to follow strategies for capturing rain water in your landscape.  

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link for this program on Saturday, November 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. 

REGISTER HERE

Cathie Coudert, Education Coordinator, presents on the importance of wildlife care and rehabilitation, what native creatures you may encounter and what you can do if you find an animal in need. Learn what programs and resources are available for you to help give wildlife a second chance. 

Friends of Texas Wildlife is a nonprofit organization that rehabilitates orphaned, injured and displaced native Texas wildlife.  They are the only wildlife rehabilitation center in Montgomery County and have been serving the community for 25 years. The rehabilitators are all volunteers and are permitted by Texas Parks & Wildlife and U.S. Fish & Wildlife.  Interested in supporting this organization? View the Friends of Texas Wildlife Donation Sheet. 

REGISTER HERE

The Woodlands Township’s annual 3R Bazaar is mobilizing this year; its been reimagined as the 3R Recycling Drive-thru. Enjoy convenient, free one-day recycling from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle or bicycle on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of The Woodlands High School (enter from Millennium Forest Dr). 

The safety of volunteers, staff and residents is the highest priority. All volunteers and staff will wear face coverings. Participants are required to wear a face covering, as well, while items are being removed from the car. If you don’t have one, we’re happy to provide one. 

This year’s Village Recycling Challenge item is Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries. This friendly competition awards funds for scholarships to Villages with the highest participation; funds are donated by The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. Please label your bag/box of batteries with your Village’s name. 

Free 1-Day Drive-thru Recycling  

Bag or box items separately by category and place them in your trunk or back passenger side seat for safe access by volunteers. A volunteer will open the trunk, hatchback or rear side passenger door to remove items. Residents only, no businesses  

  • Batteries – Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V labeled with village name. 
  • Disposable Razors with packaging. See this list for examples. 
  • Eyeglasses, sunglasses and cases  
  • Oral Care Products – Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers. 
  • Snack and drink pouches – Any brand with straws and pouch lids. See this list for examples. 
  • Styrofoam block packaging – No food containers or cups. 
  • Textiles – Clothing, shoes, linens, in any condition. Rags and fabric scraps, too.  

Document Shredding  

  • Secure on-site document shredding   
  • Residential only - limited capacity (first come, first served)   
  • Recommended donation of 5 cans of food or $5 per box; benefits Interfaith Food Pantry  
MORE EVENT INFORMATION HERE

Questions or Comments? Email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

3R Recycling Drive-thru

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Convenient, free one-day recycling event.

The Woodlands Township’s annual 3R Bazaar is mobilizing this year; it’s been reimagined as the 3R Recycling Drive-thru. Enjoy convenient, free one-day recycling from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle or bicycle on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of The Woodlands High School (enter from Millennium Forest Dr).

Although the traditional bazaar element has been removed this year residents are encouraged to celebrate the true spirit of 3R, finding new opportunities to recycle items that cannot be recycled in curbside carts. Refer to the list below for accepted items and guidelines. Free recycling is for residents only, please no businesses. 

The safety of volunteers, staff and residents is the highest priority. All volunteers and staff will wear face coverings. Participants are required to wear a face covering as well, while items are being removed from the car. If you don’t have a mask, we’re happy to provide one. 

This year’s Village Recycling Challenge item is Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries. This friendly competition awards funds for scholarships to Villages with the highest participation; funds are donated by The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. Please label your bag/box of batteries with your Village’s name. 

Free One-Day Drive-thru Recycling  

Bag or box items separately by category and place them in your trunk or back passenger side seat for safe access by volunteers. A volunteer will open the trunk, hatchback or rear side passenger door to remove items. Residents only, no businesses  

  • Batteries – Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V labeled with village name. 
  • Disposable Razorblades with packaging. See this list for examples. 
  • Eyeglasses, sunglasses and cases  
  • Oral Care Products – Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers. 
  • Snack and drink pouches – Any brand with straws and pouch lids. See this list for examples. 
  • Styrofoam block packaging – No food containers or cups. 
  • Textiles – Overly worn clothing, shoes, linens, fabric scraps and other unusable. textiles. Please donate any good, usable items to local charities here. 

Document Shredding  

  • Secure on-site document shredding   
  • Residential only - limited capacity (first come, first served)   
  • Recommended donation of 5 cans of food or $5 per box; benefits Interfaith Food Pantry 

Can’t make it to 3R? That’s ok! The Precinct 3 Recycling Center (1122 Pruitt Road in Spring), Home Depot, Lowes, Batteries Plus, Best Buy, and some Walmart’s accept batteries all year. For a comprehensive list of local recycling opportunities of other oddities such as Styrofoam, electronics, lightbulbs, paints, pharmaceuticals, and more check out the Recycle More Guide.  

Is your group looking for a fundraising opportunity or trying to collect items for a reuse project? Consider joining us at 3R. Check out Terracycle for ideas to earn funds for your organization. 

For event updates and more information, contact The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department at 281-281-3800 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/3Rbazaar. 

Questions or comments? Email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov