Plano Sustainability

The City of Plano is committed to sustainable living through active promotion, ongoing outreach, and community services.

The City of Plano's Sustainability & Environmental Services Department is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability programs and practices through its three divisions:

  • Environmental Waste Services Division provides for the collection of refuse, yard trimmings, recycling, household chemicals, and bulky waste from residential customers, collects litter from medians and rights-of-way, and promotes, educates and involves commercial customers in programs and projects that result in a reduction of solid waste, including providing organic collections. The City of Plano practices single stream recycling which recycles materials through its curbside program.  One-hundred percent of collected recyclable materials are transported for processing to various recycling markets. Environmental Education & Community Outreach Division educates and involves residents of all ages in activities promoting beautification, environmental stewardship and waste diversion. Frequent classes and information on efficiency, recycling and environmental awareness are promoted through the City’s program, Live Green in Plano. The annual Live Green Expo is a fun, family event featuring tips and resources to help all North Texans live healthier with less impact on our environment.
  • Compost Operations & Marketing Division is responsible for operating the North Texas Municipal Water District Regional Composting Facilities, marketing the finished Texas Pure products, and educating the public about the use and benefits of compost. The City of Plano began operating a composting program in 1992 as part of an integrated solid waste management plan to divert recyclable materials from landfills.

City of Plano receives Sustainability Award!

In 2008, the City’s Live Green in Plano initiative received the first National Environmental Health Association’s Excellence in Sustainability Award.

Texas Excels in Clean Energy

Texas had more clean energy jobs than every other state except California and garnered more clean energy venture capital investment than most in 2007, according to a study by Pew Charitable Trusts. The study shows that 55,646 people were employed in the clean energy industry in Texas. Pew counted jobs in five categories: clean energy production, energy efficiency, environmentally friendly production, conservation and pollution mitigation, and training and support. Researchers attributed Texas' success to state policies that create incentives and mandates for clean energy. (6/09)

Texas has more wind energy capacity than any other state, according to a 2009 American Wind Energy Association report, and is building power lines to support even more.

2010 Green State of the City

40
Percent of residential waste diverted from the landfill

27
Percent of commercial waste diverted from the landfill

22,919
Tons of landscape waste collected

19,345
Tons of recyclable material collected

121
Tons of electronics recycled

18
Tons of appliances recycled

86.99
Tons of chemicals recycled

JC Penney headquarters receives gold certification for energy and environmental design

JCPenney's 1.9 million square-foot corporate headquarters received the designation after the company spent five years retrofitting lighting systems with more efficient lamps. In addition, JCPenney installed occupancy sensors, reduced daily air conditioning and lighting usage, upgraded plumbing fixtures, adjusted fountain pumps and landscape lighting and brought green cleaning products into its daily scheme.  The campus also is recognized for using environmentally conscious materials and for building a natural landscape that is composed of Texas wildflowers, prairie grasses and drought-tolerant trees and shrubs. (8/10/10)

Frito-Lay headquarters earns LEED Gold Certification

Plano's Frito-Lay headquarters is the only existing building in Texas to receive the distinction and one of only 12 corporate headquarters nationally to be awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design recognition.  Frito-Lay is also the city of Plano's number one recycling customer with more than 70 percent of the company's waste being diverted from the landfill.