Andrew Miller (left) and JoAnne Knodel-Miller (r ) presented the Keep Pearland Beautiful / Joe Miller Environmental Scholarship to Jon-Michael Hensley (second left) and James Tuttle (second right) at the Pearland High School Senior Awards Program.

FIRST JOE MILLER ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Last week at the PHS Senior Awards Ceremony, KPB awarded two $1,000.00 scholarships in memory of Joe Miller. The scholarships were awarded to Jon-Michael Hensley and James Tuttle. Jon-Michael is an Eagle Scout who has participated in many adopt--spot cleanups with his Boy Scout troop and demonstrates recycling and reuse of materials in his daily life. He plans to attend Alvin Community College. James Tuttle was the president of the Interact Club at PHS last year and organized Interact members to participate in several of our KPB events. James is planning to attend the American College in France in the fall. We are very proud to be able to provide these two young men with scholarships through Keep Pearland Beautiful.

Recycling Challenge from HEB Plus

Keep Pearland Beautiful, Abitibi/Bowater and the HEB Plus store at 2805 Business Center Drive near Hwy. 288 are partnering to offer Pearland a new recycling opportunity. HEB Plus is now one of 22 locations in the greater Houston area that will recycle with Abitibi/Bowater containers. Abitibi is the company that offers paper recycling to nonprofits in the area; the Paper Retrievers are the bright yellow dumpsters that you see in school and church parking lots.

The Paper Retrievers at HEB can accept not only paper, but plastic, aluminum and steel cans. Now, small business owners, apartment dwellers and folks in Country Place can recycle their papers, milk jugs, water bottles and vegetable cans at the bins located behind HEB. Even if you currently recycle curbside, there are recycling opportunities for you too. Items such as catalogs, junk mail, office paper and school paper can now be recycled at the HEB location.

Here comes the challenge: We have 90 days to prove to Abitibi that Pearlanders can generate enough recyclables to warrant the containers. We need to fill these huge containers enough for a once a week pick-up. Another challenge is the location of the bins; they are currently parked behind the HEB Plus store and not in a highly visible location. The landlord of the property has guidelines concerning placement of containers such as these.

The good news is that the funds generated from the sale of the recyclables will come back to Keep Pearland Beautiful! Darryl Lambert, area manager of Abitibi/Bowater, says that since the pilot program has begun, over $50,000 has been given to non-profits across Texas.

So, celebrate Earth Day this year by recycling at the HEB location. Please pass the word to friends, neighbors and businesses that you frequent, that Pearland has a new recycling location.

Questions call 281-652-1659 or email cowles@keeppearlandbeautiful.org.

Keep Pearland Beautiful is a non-profit environmental organization affiliated with Keep Texas Beautiful, Inc. and Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

Emery Clark of Trinity Oaks Pearland accepts the Business Yard of the Month award from Theresa Jordan, Keep Pearland Beautiful board member.

The Mission of Keep Pearland Beautiful is to enable Pearland citizens, through education and opportunities, to take responsibility for enhancing their community environment.

Help Keep Pearland Beautiful recognize businesses that beautify our community. Each month Keep Pearland Beautiful, in cooperation with the Pearland Area Chamber of Commerce and four local sponsors, presents a Business Beautification Award. If you would like to nominate a business for this award, please call 281-652-1659.

The Keep Pearland Beautiful office and resource center is located at 2947 E. Broadway, Suite 300 with the Pearland Parks and Recreation Department.

Please contact Linda Cowles with any comments or questions: 
Phone: 281-652-1659
Fax: 281-412-2659
E-mail: cowles@keeppearlandbeautiful.org