Recycling Dilemma #1003 – Moving Boxes and Oversized Cardboard

Whether you relocated from across the country, moved a kid home from college, or just received delivery of a new flat screen TV, dealing with the cardboard boxes are no problem!  Your curbside solid waste services through Waste Management provide a special pick-up day each month for recycling oversized and overabundance of cardboard boxes. The service is provided to each neighborhood in The Woodlands once a month at no additional cost. 

2 Easy Steps:

Determine your pick-up day by Village 

  • 2nd Monday of the Month: Alden Bridge, Cochran’s Crossing, Sterling Ridge. 
  • 4th Friday of the Month: Creekside Park, College Park, Grogan’s Forest, Grogan’s Mill, Indian Springs, Panther Creek, Research Forest, Town Center. 

Schedule bulk recycling pick-up of cardboard 

  • At least 2 business days prior to the scheduled pick-up day, call Waste Management Customer Service at 1-800-800-5804. 
  • Request and keep the confirmation number until service occurs. 

For a trouble-free pick-up, please follow these guidelines: 

  • Flatten boxes, then bundle and stack them curbside. 
  • Fold packing paper and place in your recycling cart for pick-up on your regular service day. 
  • NO packing peanuts, Styrofoam™, bubble wrap or plastic.  
  • Place items at the curb before 7 a.m. on the pre-scheduled pick-up day. 

Have an abundance of cardboard and don’t want to wait? 

Take it to one of our local Drop-off centers  

The Woodlands Recycling Center 5100 block of Research Forest, west of Bear Branch Recreation Center Open Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Precinct 3 Recycling Complex 1122 Pruitt Road—Call for details: 281-367-7283 Open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed for lunch 11:30 to 12:30

Check out these recycling tips from previous blogs:  

New recycling program is the REEL deal

Did you know The Woodlands Township has more than 40 ponds in its parks system?! Many are stocked with bass, catfish and more, making them a great place to go fishing this summer. All bodies of water are catch-and-release, meaning you must remove the hook and toss your catch back into the water, except for Bear Branch Reservoir, Lake Paloma and Lake Woodlands, where you can keep the fish you catch. 

It’s critical we take care of this precious resource so we can enjoy it for many years. The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department offers year-round programs to educate residents on the health of our waterways and provide opportunities to get involved. Visit our website for a list of upcoming programs including the Storm Drain Marking Project, the Pet Waste Project and the Invasives Task Force Program, all of which take action to protect our waterways. 

Some of our younger residents have taken up the cause to protect local aquatic wildlife and keep our waterways clean through a new recycling program at local ponds. Thanks to the hard work of two local Eagle Scout candidates, twelve township parks now have monofilament recycling stations (MRS) available for the public to use. Discarded monofilament line, or single-strand nylon fishing line, entangles birds, turtles and fish, causing unnecessary injury or mortality that could easily be prevented when properly discarded.  

Monofilament fishing line can last up to 600 years in the aquatic environment 

Daniel Verachtert first approached The Woodlands Township with his proposed Eagle Scout project to install an MRS at Northshore Park, Lake Paloma and Rob Fleming Park. Daniel’s project was well received and laid the groundwork for another Eagle Scout candidate, Colton Moore, to build and install eight additional MRS’s at parks throughout The Woodlands. 

An MRS not only provides a place to safely dispose of unwanted fishing line, but the collected line is cleaned of hooks, weights and trash and then shipped out for recycling where is it melted down and turned into other plastic products. So, next time you’re casting a line at a local pond, be sure to collect your broken, tangled or unwanted line and drop it off for recycling at one of these twelve parks with a monofilament recycling station:  

  • Capstone 
  • The Cove 
  • Reedy Pond 
  • Creekwood 
  • Cypress Lake 
  • Shadow Lake 
  • Deepdale Pond 
  • Mystic Lake 
  • Alden Bridge 
  • Northshore 
  • Lake Paloma 
  • Rob Fleming  

 “I’ve always loved fishing, and I fish a lot at the ponds in the Woodlands. I really enjoyed carrying out an eagle scout project that aligned with my personal interests so well, and I’ve committed to collecting fishing line from the recycling stations for the next three years until I go to college.” 

Colton Moore

Remember, a fishing license is required for all residents and non-residents to fish in public waters of Texas for almost everyone over the age of 17.  All lakes and ponds other than Bear Branch Reservoir, Lake Paloma and Lake Woodlands, are strictly catch-and-release but do NOT require a fishing license since they’re considered private waters. The upper portion of The Woodlands Waterway and Lake Robbins are the only bodies of water in The Woodlands that DO NOT allow fishing.

Recycling Dilemma #1006 – Online Shopping

Shopping from the comfort of your home in your PJs is easy. Deciphering what to do with all the packaging that comes with those fabulous purchases is the hard part. Check out these tips to learn how to dispose of online shopping waste wisely.

Looking for ways to reduce packaging from online purchases? 

  • Try filling your cart throughout the week and combining purchases into one weekly delivery. Choose “Frustration-Free” Packaging to reduce extra boxes. 
  • Consider shopping at stores that use thoughtful packaging materials. As this concept becomes more mainstream, the demand will increase and gain popularity! 
  • Choose ground delivery to reduce air travel. This option can save you a bit of money and also reduces the carbon footprint of your package.  
  • Shop at local businesses and bring your own bag or containers.

Check out these recycling tips from previous blogs:  

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


Electronics Recycling This Saturday

Join The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department and Harris County Precinct 4 for a 1-day drive-through electronics recycling and document shredding event. This event is for residents of The Woodlands only, no businesses. Proof of residence is required (Driver’s license, water bill, or other documentation with Woodlands address).

  • Appointments are required for electronics recycling (Walk-ups will not be accepted). Registration link below.  
  • Document shredding does not require an appointment, capacity is limited.  

 

Electronics Recycling 

Electronics recycling is offered by appointment only. Prices vary by item (see pricing above). Cash or check only. Capacity is limited to 250 appointments. Walk-ups will not be accepted. 

Did you know? Electronics can be recycled in our community year-round at local stores such as Best Buy, Staples or Office Depot, many at no cost. Residents of Montgomery County can also take electronics to the Precinct 3 Recycling Facility every Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) for the same fees as this event. There is no limit on number of items you may take to this facility.  

Secure Document Shredding 

Secure, on site document shredding is available while capacity lasts for $5 per file box full (or equivalent quantity). No appointment is required.  

Can’t to make this event? Another drive-thru document shredding event will be held on November 13, 2021 at the 3R Recycling Drive thru. For a year-round option, UPS and FedEx stores offer secure document shredding service for$1 and $1.49 per pound of paper respectively.