The average American creates 4 pounds of solid waste each day. That's more than 25 pounds a week, or more than 1,400 pounds a year. Every year it continues to grow. In addition to the waste we create as individuals, the processes of local business and industry unavoidably create millions of pounds of waste material each year.

Recycling is one of the most important steps we can take in supporting our environment and the benefits are endless. Recycling reduces the use of landfills and incinerators because it reduces the amount of garbage we throw away by 25-50%! It costs significantly less to recycle items than to generate them from scratch. And, it reduces the amount of air and water pollution that is the end product of most industrial product generation. By recycling just one can, you are helping to make a huge difference in the health of the planet. So, by recycling all that you can, you are helping to save the earth.

We all need to do our part and Recycling Solutions has made it easy for residents and businesses on South Padre Island, Port Isabel and Laguna Vista to make a difference!

Recycling Solutions was started in October 2007 by local resident and businessman Jim Pigg. Jim moved here from Dallas where curbside recycling was available and realized there was a need for more convenient recycling in the Laguna Madre area. Over the next several weeks he began a dialogue with officials from South Padre Island, Port Isabel and Laguna Vista. After a presentation to the leaders of those communities he obtained approval to begin business.

The next step was to order heavy duty plastic bins for customers to collect their recyclables. Jim already had available resources such as vehicles and trailers for container pick up through another business, as well as the necessary staff to begin. Once the bins were received he began to promote curb side recycling through his Chamber membership, newsprint ads and door to door distribution of flyers.

Jim says, “We now have 94 customers and growing. We are recycling approximately 10,000 lbs. of material per month.” Residents as well as businesses are taking advantage of this convenient and inexpensive opportunity to recycle aluminum cans, paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and many other items.

“We are hoping to work with local schools in the near future to begin recycling, and look forward to making presentations to students to encourage them to think green”, says Jim.

Chamber member, Don Wolfe, has experienced first-hand the convenience and benefits of using the services offered by Recycling Solutions. Don says, “For over three years I have delivered the Island Breeze three days a week. When I delivered the papers I would pickup the previous days leftovers and until recently I would just throw the leftover newspapers away. This went on three days a week, 52 weeks a year! Several months ago Mr. Pigg gave me a call to see if I was interested in recycling these papers. Now, those papers are being recycled. Jim has a great service, and I recommend to everyone I meet to recycle through Recycling Solutions.”

If you are interested in making a positive impact on the environment, all it takes is one call to Recycling Solutions. Service is available on a weekly basis for a nominal fee. You will receive a blue, 18# capacity, heavy duty plastic bin to collect your recyclable materials. You simply need to fill the bin with cans, plastic, junk mail, etc. and place it curbside on your assigned pick-up day and they will do the rest. You can rest assured that your discarded materials are being recycled and not ending up in a landfill.

This is an exciting opportunity for our Island businesses as well as residents to get involved in recycling. South Padre Island has the opportunity to set a higher standard in actively working to improve our environment. We encourage our members, and the community as a whole, to do all we can to REDUCE,REUSE and RECYCLE.

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