Farmers Branch sustainability committee narrows 2026 priorities to recycling access, waste reduction and built-natural harmony

The Farmers Branch Sustainability Committee used a scoring process at its most recent meeting to set focus areas for 2026, selecting access to recycling, waste reduction (including composting), and harmony between the built and natural environment (tree canopy, native plantings, and water conservation) as its top priorities.

Committee members reviewed a document that allowed each member to nominate and score their top three goals; staff tallied points and reported the three highest-scoring priorities. Members discussed practical steps for each priority: expanding recycling access, exploring options to extend landfill life through waste-reduction strategies, and increasing native planting and tree canopy in parks and medians.

On composting and events, members proposed piloting a zero‑waste community event — possibly closing a small Mustang Station commercial block or partnering with the city’s culture festival — that would require vendors to use certified compostable foodware and arrange compost pickup. Staff cautioned that not all 'compostable' products are accepted by composting facilities and recommended verifying vendor certifications and pickup logistics before committing.

The committee debated subcommittee structure: keep built-natural environment and form a waste-reduction subcommittee, and possibly add a renewable energy/clean-tech research subcommittee to track emerging technologies. Members noted subcommittees are limited to three members (to avoid a quorum) and that ad-hoc work and a shared Google Sheet or document hub could consolidate research and vendor contacts.

What happens next: staff will work to establish a shared information hub (Google Sheet), begin fleshing out a waste-reduction pilot (including compost vendor outreach), and bring the subcommittee organization back for finalization at a future meeting.