Recycling in The Colonies: How Good Intentions Can Go Wrong—and How to Make Them Right
Most residents in The Colonies want to do the right thing when it comes to recycling. It’s part of that Texas pride—taking care of our land, our neighborhoods, and our future, just like the motto "Don't Mess with Texas" implies. But many don’t realize that one well-meaning mistake can undo everyone’s efforts.
Did you know that when even a single non-recyclable item ends up in the bin, it can contaminate the whole truckload. Instead of being sorted and reused, the entire batch may be redirected to the landfill? Not only is that a loss for the environment, but it also comes at a financial cost. The more contaminated loads are sent to the dump, the more those disposal costs add up—and eventually, that cost comes back to Harris County MUD 102 residents through service fees.
This is why following Texas Pride's recycling guidelines is more important than ever. By making just a few small changes to what we toss into the bin, we can all make a big difference in reducing waste, protecting the environment, and keeping costs down for everyone in the community.
What Can Be Recycled?
To keep your recycling efforts on track, it’s important to stick to clean, dry, and accepted items. And always remember—do not bag your recyclables. Items should be placed loose in the bin.
Here’s a quick breakdown of accepted recyclable materials in Harris County MUD 102:
Paper Products
- Newspaper
- Magazines, Catalogs, Junk Mail, Envelopes
- Greeting Cards & Wrapping Paper
- Computer & Construction Paper
- Soda & Beer Boxes, Shoe Boxes
- Clean Pizza Boxes (no grease or food!)
- Cardboard & Egg Cartons
- Paper Towel Rolls, File Folders
- Grocery Bags (paper), Waxboard Containers
Plastics (Rinsed)
- Plastics labeled #1–#7
- Milk & Juice Bottles, Water & Soda Bottles
- Shampoo, Soap, Detergent Containers
- Yogurt Cups, To-go Containers (no Styrofoam)
- Household Cleaner Bottles, Plastic Flower Pots
- Prescription Pill Bottles
Metals (Rinsed)
- Soda, Juice & Beer Cans
- Food & Pet Food Cans
- Pie Trays, Foil, Metal Jar Lids
- Empty Aerosol Cans
- Gutters (under 5 feet long)
Glass (Rinsed)
- Beer, Wine, Soda Bottles
- Food Jars
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What Cannot Be Recycled?
Avoid placing these non-recyclable items in your bin—these are the biggest culprits that can cause entire truckloads to be rejected:
- Styrofoam, Thin Plastic Bags, Bubble Wrap Plastic Mailer Bags (Amazon, etc.)
- Soiled or Greasy Pizza Boxes
- Mirrors, Ceramics, Light Bulbs
- Wet or Soiled Paper Products
- Pots, Pans, PVC Pipe, Paint Containers
- Coat Hangers, Facial or Toilet Tissue
- Microwave Trays, Paper Towels, Dry Cleaner Bags
Even though some of these items feel recyclable, they aren't accepted by the current program—and including them does more harm than good.
Why Following the Guidelines Matters
It’s easy to toss something in the recycling bin and think, “Better safe than sorry.” But in recycling, the opposite is true. Contaminants like greasy pizza boxes or plastic grocery bags can ruin an entire truckload. When that happens, the materials are no longer usable, and the load is sent straight to the dump.
Not only does this defeat the purpose of recycling, but it also increases disposal costs, which can eventually trickle down to you as a resident.
Let’s Work Together
Harris County MUD 102 is full of well-intentioned residents who care deeply about their community. By staying informed and vigilant about what belongs in the recycling bin—and what doesn’t—we can keep our neighborhood clean, green, and cost-efficient.
So the next time you’re rinsing out a bottle or breaking down a box, take an extra moment to double-check that it meets the guidelines. Because when we all get it right, everyone wins.
For more local updates and resources in The Colonies, stay connected to My Neighborhood News. Let’s keep the community cleaner—and smarter—together.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
