City's Solid Waste Services Brings Recycling to Corpus Christi’s Largest Events
More than 5.5 Tons of Materials Collected Through New Grant Initiative
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – With nearly 100,000 visitors flocking to three of Corpus Christi's flagship annual events, the City's Solid Waste Services (SWS) Recycling Program is stepping up to ensure that the massive crowds leave a smaller environmental footprint.
This year marks the first time that SWS has offered recyclable collection for Earth Day-Bay Day, the Buc Days Night Parade, and the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon, made possible by a Can’d Aid Crush It Crusade Grant. The award supports communities and local groups in launching and enhancing recycling and sustainability efforts nationwide and provides education on the importance of recycling aluminum.
Of the 5.5 tons of trash and recyclables collected at these events, more than 1 ton consisted of recyclables, including 1,000 pounds of aluminum cans. Through the combined recycling efforts of the City and its residents, approximately 20 percent of the total material was diverted from the landfill.
“Bringing our recycling program to these major events has been a game-changer for our community outreach and partnership efforts,” said Philip Aldridge, Director of Solid Waste Services. “The momentum from this initial success enables us to expand our reach and partner with even more organizations dedicated to keeping Corpus Christi clean.”
This year’s events that received assistance through the grant include:
• Earth Day - Bay Day – This annual family-friendly event, organized by the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation (CBBF), celebrates stewardship of the South Texas region’s coastal waterways, wetlands, and habitats. Held on April 11, the event implemented recycling for the first time. Based on the success of this initial effort, plans have been established with CBBF to continue recycling on a larger scale each year and to move toward more compostable or recyclable materials.
• Buc Days Night Parade – As one of Corpus Christi’s signature traditions and part of the multi-day Buc Days Festival & Rodeo, which draws 80,000 to 100,000 people, SWS increased visibility for recycling efforts before and during the event held on April 25 by distributing and collecting reusable recycling bags and placing the collected recyclables in the blue carts for pickup. The Buc Days Commission has invited SWS to return next year. SWS has secured reusable supplies to continue this effort annually and will adjust collection hours to increase recycling across more festival events.
• Beach to Bay Relay Marathon – The 49th annual Beach to Bay Relay Marathon was held on May 16, and SWS worked closely with sponsors to collect aluminum cans, cardboard boxes from vendors and sponsors, and plastic cups and bottles at the finish-line celebration. SWS has been invited back and hopes to increase the percentage of diverted waste by expanding volunteer efforts and adding more centrally located collection stations.
Through the grant, SWS will continue to provide recycling at community events for the upcoming 2027 fiscal year.
Media representatives requesting additional information may contact Cassandra Hinojosa, Public Information Officer, at 361-826-2944 or CassandraH3@CorpusChristiTX.gov.
