Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
McALLEN, Texas – Blue recycling bins now line the corridors of South Texas College as part of a new sustainability, recycling pilot program in partnership with the City of McAllen and Keep McAllen Beautiful.
In a recent launch event, the initiative was introduced to the STC community with one major goal: making recycling simple and accessible to help students build lasting sustainable habits while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.
Jorge Sanchez, STC Environmental Health and Safety manager, said when Keep McAllen Beautiful sought this partnership opportunity, he recognized that this was a chance for STC to also expand its sustainability program efforts.
“This initiative began when Keep McAllen Beautiful reached out to collaborate with STC. I recognized this as an opportunity to not only partner with the City of McAllen and the college community, but also to expand our Operations by working alongside other departments and students to provide resources such as public education on sustainability,” he said. “To see this project move forward and how it has been embraced by our STC community makes me proud to be a part of the team that is implementing this comprehensive recycling program.”
The initiative aims to increase recycling participation among students and staff and could expand to the college’s five additional campuses, from Starr County to Mid-Valley, if successful.
As part of the program, STC’s Biology Club members will lead peer-driven outreach efforts to promote sustainable practice, supported by a $12,000 grant awarded to Keep McAllen Beautiful. The initiative also includes ongoing environmental education and scholarship opportunities for students.
STC Biology Club President Emily Guzman, said she is looking forward to connecting with students and participating in outreach efforts.
“Recycling advocacy is at the heart of what we do as the Biology Club,” she said. “We already create posters and host hands-on activities that help students and the broader community understand the real biological and environmental impact of plastic waste and other pollutants. This initiative gives us a way to extend that message across the whole campus.”
City of McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said this is the beginning of a recycling evolution in the region that will result in generational change.
“I’m proud to see McAllen coming together in efforts like this that reflect the spirit of our community,” he said. “This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to keeping our city clean, beautiful and sustainable, not just for today, but for generations to come.”
Isaac J. Tawil, city of McAllen city manager, calls this a meaningful step forward for the community.
“This partnership between Keep McAllen Beautiful and South Texas College is a milestone in expanding our outreach, as STC becomes the first institution to join us in this effort,” he said. “We understand today’s students are balancing academics, new responsibilities and constant digital distractions, which is why making recycling simple and accessible is so important. By expanding opportunities across campus to include materials like PET plastics and metal, we are meeting students where they are and making it easier to building lasing, sustainable habits. It is especially encouraging to see students take the lead in an effort that will have a meaningful impact on McAllen’s future.”
STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., commended STC’s students for joining, what he calls, this community-changing effort.
“We are excited and proud to partner with the City of McAllen and Keep McAllen Beautiful to launch this new recycling initiative on our campus,” said Solis. “We all have the responsibility to keep our community and world clean and sustainable, and STC is committed to lead by example. This initiative is not just about recycling, it’s about building a culture of responsibility, innovation and collaboration that will have a lasting impact on our college community and beyond.”
Information source: STC
