News from the Zero Waste Network

The 15 sites combined saved 1.1 trillion Btus per year from their actions. Twelve sites were classified as "Savers", meaning they saved greater than 7.5 percent of the total energy or 75,000 million Btus; three sites were designated as "Champions", those plants that saved greater than 15 percent of their total energy or 250,000 million Btus.

A full-time working Texan spends about 2,000 hours a year on the job; making the office the perfect place to start improving the environment. Take Care of Texas now has 20 new tips to help you Do Your Part at work. Everyone's first step to Take Care of Texas is to learn ways to make a personal commitment. Explore the office at http://www.takecareoftexas.org/at-work/ for simple steps to help improve air and water quality, conserve water and energy, and save a little money in the process.

Austin City Council Member Lee Leffingwell will join a coalition of environmental organizations, elected officials, local celebrities and residents in launching a contest aimed at encouraging Central Texans to find creative ways to reduce their trash.

As part of the "Central Texas Race To Zero Waste...Or Darn Close," local residents will log onto a website and track the ways they're reducing the amount of waste being sent to local landfills. Participants can enter their home, office, house of worship, or other community center.