Community Waste Disposal donate $10 for every ton of recyclable material collected in August, for a total of $42,145 to aid flood relief efforts in Texas Hill Country. Art courtesy CWD

A company that collects garbage and recyclables from homes and businesses throughout North Texas saw an opportunity to help Central Texans devastated by floodwaters over the Fourth of July weekend.

Community Waste Disposal pledged to donate $10 for every ton of recyclable material collected in August.

This week, CWD announced that the effort paid off in a major way, presenting aid agencies with a check totaling $42,145 and encouraging residents to recycle more.

Locally, several communities contributed to the effort. CWD reported that recycling volume grew 10% across the 33 communities it serves in North Texas.

One standout community was Princeton. According to CWD spokesman Robert Medigovich, the booming city increased its recycling total by 25% in August compared with August 2024. Medigovich credited Princeton’s increase to “the efforts of a social media campaign by city staff and the Princeton-Lowry Crossing Chamber of Commerce.”

Other North Texas communities also recorded significant increases, Medigovich said. Farmersville’s recycling rose 19%, Sachse’s by 12%, and Wylie’s by 10% during the fundraiser for the Hill Country.

All told, CWD diverted 467 tons of material from landfills to recycling bins in August, said Medigovich. 

“This is a positive program, with Texans helping Texans through recycling,” he said. He called the company’s effort an “honor” to lend a hand while protecting the environment.

The process for handing over the check to Kerr County officials is still being finalized, but a regional spokesman expressed gratitude for the donation.

“What a wonderful impact,” said Laura Giacomoni, a Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country representative. In a message to CWD, she extended her “personal thanks to you, the team and the customers at Community Waste Disposal.” She did not disclose how officials plan to spend the funds raised.

The Hill Country flood claimed more than 100 lives when the Guadalupe River overflowed its banks on July 4, tearing through downstream communities such as Kerrville and Comfort. Many of the victims were girls staying at a Christian camp next to the river.

Medigovich said he views the fundraiser as a bright spot in a “crazy world.” He added, “As crazy as the world has become – and there aren’t a lot of positive things going on right now – it is great that our communities can come together for a common cause that does good for people.”

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By John Kanelis | [email protected]