3702 Loop 322 • Abilene, TX 79602 • 325-672-8544

Environmental Services
Managing The Environment For Health And Sanitation

Our Mission

The West Central Texas Department of Environmental Services strives to encourage responsible environment and waste management services, recycling, and solid waste management.

Report Illegal Dumping

A person is littering if disposing of junk, garbage, refuse, or other solid waste on a public highway, public property, or a waterway. Discarding trash in a county park, near a highway, or in bar ditches is prohibited.

Trucks hauling materials which can be spilled must cover their loads. Improper disposal, storage, or handling of any used oil is a Felony offense: Fines up to $50,000 and 5 years in jail. Disposing or discarding of a lead-acid battery except to an authorized collection or recycling business is prohibited: Fines up to $4,000 and 1 year in jail.

It is illegal to have inoperable vehicle(s) visible from public right-of-ways: Fines up to $200 with the vehicle being abated.

Recycling

The amount of waste generated per person per day in the U.S. is approximately 4.5 pounds, up from 2.7 pounds per person per day in 1960. Recycling efforts have managed to divert 30 percent of the nation’s solid waste from landfills and incinerators. Recycling reduces air and water pollution and energy consumption associated with production of raw materials.

  • Avoid items with excess packaging
  • Buy in bulk when you can
  • Buy beverages in refillable bottles
  • Re-use or carry your own grocery bags to the market
  • Refuse a grocery sack when you can hand carry items
  • Buy goods packaged in recycled and recyclable materials
  • Buy re-usable products, like sponges instead of paper towels
  • Use coffee mugs instead of Styrofoam disposable cups

Solid Waste Management

Regional Solid Waste Grant Program

Under the authority of Subchapter 0 of the “Texas Solid Waste Management Regulations”, the West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG) has prepared a Regional Solid Waste Management Plan for the Texas counties in our Region (Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor and Throckmorton). The Regional Solid Waste Plan focuses on the reduction of the disposal of solid waste. Under the guidance of the Natural Resource Committee, the plan defines long term goals and objectives, and provides funding to cities, counties, school and special districts for projects to meet those goals.

The purpose of this grant program is to provide funding to eligible applicants to support projects that will improve and enhance the West Central Texas Council of Governments solid waste management system(s). Projects supported under this program must support one or more of the goals of the West Central Texas Regional Solid Waste Management Plan.

Funding for the program is provided through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and is generated off the “tipping fees” paid by landfill operators to the TCEQ for every ton of solid waste deposited into their landfill. Each year, the WCTCOG receives an allocation of funding to support a wide variety of local and regional projects. Since the program inception in 1996, these grant funds have been used to increase recycling, deter illegal dumping, promote composting, encourage yard waste and/or wood waste diversion, develop Citizen Convenience Centers to improve waste management in rural areas and support studies to evaluate the costs-benefits of modifying local waste management practices.

Eligible entities for the grants program include the following:

  • Cities
  • Counties
  • School Districts
  • Special Districts Charged with Water Conservation
  • Councils of Government (i.e., WCTCOG)

Natural Resource Committee (NRC)

The West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG) Natural Resource Committee (NRC) is appointed by the WCTCOG Executive Committee to oversee the Regional Solid Waste Management Program. The NRC is responsible for maintaining and updating the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, for developing Solid Waste Grant program funding recommendations for the Executive Committee’s consideration, for reviewing solid waste facility permits, modifications and amendments originating from the West Central Texas’ review for consistency with the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan and for providing direction to foster the growth and development of the West Central Texas Environmental Partnership.

Solid Waste Management Plan

The West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG) Natural Resource Committee (NRC) is appointed by the WCTCOG Executive Committee to oversee the Regional Solid Waste Management Program. The NRC is responsible for maintaining and updating the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, for developing Solid Waste Grant program funding recommendations for the Executive Committee’s consideration, for reviewing solid waste facility permits, modifications and amendments originating from the West Central Texas’ review for consistency with the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan and for providing direction to foster the growth and development of the West Central Texas Environmental Partnership.

Closed Landfill Inventory

For more information regarding closed landfills please contact:
PJ Sumner – Environmentla Program Coordinator: psumner@westcentraltexas.org • 325-672-8544, Ext. 165

Brown County

Callahan County

Coleman County

Comanche County

Eastland County

Fisher County

Haskell County

Jones County

Kent County

Knox County

Mitchell County

Nolan County

Runnels County

Scurry County

Shackelford County

Stephens County

Stonewall County

Taylor County

Throckmorton County

 

Helpful Forms And Links

Request For Application

SW Grant Application

Resource Library

WCTEP Partnership Document

TexasRecyclesTVS.org

Take Care Of Texas

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact

P.J. Sumner – Environmental Program Coordinator