The Green Queens are a curbside Recycling Service that picks up newspapers, computer paper, aluminum cans, tin food cans, clear and colored glass, plastic bottles and jugs, water and beverage bottles and much more. Not only do the Green Queens provide curbside service, clients do not have to sort their recyclable items. They have established relationships with several entities that in turn provide recyclables to end-users around the country.
Since opening shop in April, 2009, Green Queens has captured more than 71 thousand pounds of recyclable waste from Lubbock businesses and residential homes. “We are absolutely thrilled at the city of Levelland’s enthusiastic and forward thinking approach toward curbside recycling and environmental stewardship,” says Heather Castagna, J.D., Co-owner and COO of Green Queens, LLC. Located just 30 miles west of Lubbock, Levelland continues to prove that even rural communities can have a successful recycling program. Capitalizing on grant funds provided through a Regional Solid Waste Grants program Levelland continues to make improvements in its recycling program. Levelland’s recycling efforts began in earnest a little over a year ago when they opened a drop off recycling center on the east side of town along A&M lane. With a goal of 10 tons in the first year, Levelland’s recycling center collected over 32 tons of material just in the first year of operation. Levelland residents have saved 510 trees, 11,400 gallons of oil, 90 cubic yards of landfill space, 120,000 kilowatts of energy, and over 210,000 gallons of water by taking their recyclables to the Levelland Recycling Center. Recent improvements to the center include a forklift and bailer as well as a full time staff position in order to maintain the recycling momentum in the community.
Erik Rejino, Levelland’s Special Projects Administrator and grant writer says, “The addition of curbside recycling by the Green Queens is a beautifully designed public/private partnership with a global impact and a logical next step. The credit goes to Rick (Osburn) who after reading an article in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal about the Green Queens, picked up the phone and called the recycling queens about expanding their service to the city of Levelland. Fast forward a few months and here we are today, curbside recycling in Levelland Texas with a population of 12,866. We are going to become the “Greenest” community on the South Plains.” Levelland households will be serviced twice per month (every 1st and 3rd Thursday) and all recyclable material will be transported to the Green Queens’ facility. In addition, Green Queens has agreed to provide the city of Levelland with statistical data as to the amount of recyclables captured each month. “Our goal is to simplify recycling and help keep a high percentage of Levelland’s recyclable waste out of the landfill,” says Castagna.
For more information, please call Heather Castagna at 806-789-RECY(7329) or visit www.greenqueens.org or call the City of Levelland at 806.894.0113 or visit their website at www.LevellandTexas.org/recycle
