Round Rock wins award for innovative Styrofoam recycling solution

October 11, 2023
7:03 pm

During the 2023 Texas Municipal League (TML) Annual Conference and Exhibition in Dallas last week, the City of Round Rock received a Municipal Excellence Award in public works for cities over 25,000 in population. The award recognized the City for its Styrofoam densifier project.

The City of Round Rock’s Utilities and Environmental Services Department implemented an innovative piece of equipment at its Recycling Center located at 310 Deep Wood Drive so it could begin accepting styrofoam at the center starting in April 2023. The Styrofoam densifier was purchased for $39,500 in response to a growing demand from residents for Styrofoam recycling options. Before this, there were no public options for recycling Styrofoam in the area. The densifier compacts Styrofoam by up to 90%, offering several benefits. It optimizes storage and transportation, leading to potential cost savings. Although the Styrofoam collected through the program so far is being stored at the facility, processed Styrofoam can be sold and repurposed into various products depending on the current market.

On hand at the Conference to accept the award were members of the City Council and staff.

Transportation Director Gary Hudder, Council Member Hilda Montgomery, Solid Waste Coordinator Jennifer Trogdon and Direcor of Utilities and Environmental Services Michael Thane accept the TML Excellence Award on behalf of the City of Round Rock.

TML’s Municipal Excellence Awards recognize and encourage the achievements of Texas cities in meeting the challenge of municipal governance. Innovative problem-solving, excellence in management, increasing citizen participation, and reaching toward higher service levels are all daily occurrences in Texas cities, and they deserve recognition. This awards program seeks out the best of these programs to honor. Awards are given in two population categories (under 25,000 and over 25,000) and five areas (management innovations, communication programs, city spirit, public safety, and public works).

The 2023 TML Annual Conference and Exhibition was held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on October 4-6 and attracted thousands of city officials, who learned ways to govern more effectively, discussed critical issues, and shared best practices and solutions.

TML is a voluntary association of Texas cities that provides support and services to city governments.

For more information about the Recycling Center, accepted items and available services, visit roundrocktexas.gov/recyclingcenter.