Sustainable Texarkana

What is Sustainability?

The City of Texarkana, Texas defines "sustainability" as meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations' abilities to meet their own needs. Our sustainability programs focus on improving energy efficiency in municipal buildings through energy audits and retrofits, employee energy saving competitions such as "Reduce Your Juice," and installing solar panels to offset energy use in our local parks. Whether you are a passionate environmentalist or a local business leader sustainability simply makes sense as every program we initiate must include a return on investment (ROI) statement and payback period typically less than 5 years.

A few quotes about the City's sustainability programs:

"We would like to congratulate the City of Texarkana, Texas for their proactive thinking and collaboration efforts with SWEPCO to make these sustainability programs a reality. Investing in alternative energy and energy efficiency is not only the right thing to do for future generations but makes sense from a business and investment standpoint as well." - Jeff Sandford, Texarkana Chamber of Commerce

"We are always excited to see great communities like Texarkana taking the initiative to find ways to save energy, protect the environment and educate its citizens, especially the children, in sound energy practices and conservation methods." - Jeff Thigpen, AEP SWEPCO

For more information on sustainability in general please see the Sustainability PowerPoint.

Energy Efficiency & Conservation

Energy Efficiency and Conservation means fostering sustainable consumption and production by leading local efforts to ensure natural resources are produced, processed, and consumed in a more sustainable way. The City has partnered with SWEPCO's Commercial Solutions Program to retrofit 4 municipal buildings (City Hall, Southwest Center, Sign & Sign Signal, and the Street Department) for increased efficiency in lighting, HVAC, and reflective (white) roofs.

For more information on the energy savings thus far please see the Municipal Building Energy Efficiency Tracking Chart.

"Reduce Your Juice" was a competition between various municipal buildings involving all City employees. Each building within the competition was monitored monthly and ranked based on the percentage of kilowatt hours reduced from the same month during the previous year. Buildings in last year's competition included City Hall, the Health Department, the Library, the Perot Theatre, the Southwest Center, General Services and all Fire Stations.

At the end of the six month competition, a free lunch and/or other prizes were given to the municipal building employees who reduced their energy consumption the most. The prizes were funded through SWEPCO's Commercial Energy Solutions Program.

Reduce Your Juice Final Results

Community Participation & Engagement

An active citizenry is essential to becoming a sustainable community. The City of Texarkana, Texas encourages residents to participate in the process of governing through volunteering, speaking on important issues, or assisting in practical ways. Volunteer organizations committed to sustainability include: Partnership for the Pathways, Friends of the Parks, Texarkana College Earth Club and Keep Texarkana Beautiful.

Sustainability events include Earth Day 2011, Great American Trash-Off cosponsored with Texarkana, AR, and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Workshops.

Recycling Program

Reduce Waste & Save Money - Texarkana has increased its recycling rate from 4% to nearly 65% in the last year! You can make a difference by reducing waste at home and save money in the process. Participate in the City of Texarkana, Texas recycling program and reduce your garbage container to only one saving you money. This EPA website will explain how to do just that! Everything from what to look for when purchasing items at the store (is the packaging recyclable?) to using organics for composting. Take a look!

Waste Reduction and Recycling In Your Home - EPA

City of Texarkana, Texas Chart - Recycling Works!

What can I do?

Save Energy & Money - Compare your home's energy efficiency to others in the region and then follow some of the simple steps at the EPA Energy Star Yardstick website. It includes information on:

  • a. Do-It-Yourself Energy Efficiency
  • b. Eligible Tax Credits and Rebates for Improvements
  • c. Local qualified professionals that can do the work for you

Energy Star Yardstick

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I recycle this?

For a list of the most commonly asked products and disposal locations please see our Sustainability Guide 2011.

How do I make my home more energy efficient?

Energy Star has the most impressive and user-friendly collection of information at the Energy Star Yardstick website.