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Harris County wins nearly $4.86M Department of Energy grant for battery and electronics recycling program
Summary
The county accepted a Department of Energy grant to expand e-waste and battery recycling with public-education components at the Houston Zoo and mobile pods; the program aims to increase recycling, create jobs and provide community education.
Harris County’s Office of Sustainability announced Sept. 19 that the county received a Department of Energy grant (approximately $4,860,000) to fund an e-waste and battery-recycling initiative in partnership with the Houston Zoo and other community partners. Commissioner Garcia moved the item and commissioners approved the acceptance of the grant.
The grant-funded project includes a permanent collection installation at the zoo, mobile collection pods, an education campaign targeting high-traffic community locations and job creation goals — the presentation cited six jobs tied to program operations and an outreach target (2500 items recycled annually at the zoo site plus 25% countywide recycling increase metrics). The program includes an outreach and education campaign intended to reduce hazardous battery disposal and lower trash-fire risk.
Office of Sustainability director Lisa Lynn said the grant will fund both the onsite installation and countywide education and mobile units; the county will explore using existing efficiency-block funds for complementary pilots such as composting at the library. Commissioners urged follow-through on recycling infrastructure in county buildings and community outreach to reduce battery-related fires.
