Background
Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE) is a non-profit citizens’ organization that works to hold government and businesses accountable to public concern on Texas health, environmental, and economic issues. The organization promotes policies that ensure clean air and clean water in Texas, while encouraging recycling and waste reduction across the state.
In recent years, TCE has concentrated its focus on waste and recycling issues at the local and statewide level. TCE has encouraged communities near landfills and trash facilities to oppose major expansions and to advocate for increased recycling programs. The organization has become a leading voice in electronics recycling, pushing for policies to make manufacturers more responsible for recycling their products and offering financial incentives to make those products easier and cheaper to recycle. This system, known as “producer takeback,” is gaining traction across America. TCE and its partners were successful in changing Dell’s recycling program in 2004. Years later, the group’s computer recycling efforts are still reaping benefits. In 2011, a state law supported by TCE required television manufacturers to take back their old sets and recycle them properly. TCE is now urging Walmart to aid consumers with TV set recycling.
TCE’s primary advocacy tool is canvassing neighborhoods. Five to six days a week, TCE organizers head out into Texas residential areas and go door-to-door educating citizens on current environmental, health and economic issues. Organizers also encourage residents to get involved by collecting membership contributions and by having them write letters to corporate, federal, state and local figures.
