Community Relations

In late 2007, Waste Management invited neighbors and community members to join its new Community Recommendations Committee to expand our “Good Neighbor” program with an emphasis on charitable giving.

The committee is open to anyone who lives near the landfill or in the City of Hutto. All are welcome to attend the meetings and review proposals from non-profit organizations requesting funding. There is also time allotted to ask questions about landfill operations.

Proposals can be accepted from 501(C)3 non-profit organizations that serve Williamson County residents in the areas of education, environment and community vitality.

“We have a track record of supporting the City of Hutto Parks Department and Hutto Olde Tyme Days events, but wanted to reach out to become more involved with other community organizations,” says Steve Jacobs, Central Texas Landfill Manager. “We also wanted to allow for easier communications between the landfill and our neighbors.”

The Committee has approved funding for the following organizations:

Project Celebration: $3,000
Project Celebration was created to provide a chemical-free, after-prom party for Hutto High School students. The Waste Management funds helped get the project jump-started.
Williamson County Symphony Orchestra: $3,000
The funding supported the orchestra’s Spring season, which was free to the public. The funding underwrites the cost of the concerts as well as provides scholarships for students.
Hutto Athletic Booster Club Scholarship Fund: $2,000
Waste Management sponsored lunch at the annual golf tournament and tournament proceeds fund scholarships.
Friends of Hutto Library: $4,000
The donation funds children’s books, book carts, TV, and DVD, children’s furniture and two bike racks.

For information about the Community Recommendations Committee, call Lynda Rife, (512) 261-5873.

Community Activities

Arbor Day
Waste Management donated 49 foot trees for planting in Country Estate and Fritz Park for the 2008 Arbor Day. The remainder of the trees will be used by Keep Hutto Beautiful as part of its fundraiser.

Hutto Trash Off
Waste Management supports the Hutto Trash-Off every year. We provide goodie bags for volunteers and provide free disposal and a backyard composter as raffle items.

Trash Off
From left, Hutto City Council Members David Begier and
Debbie Holland help Mayor Ken Love grill burgers.

Make-a-Wish Foundation
Waste Management has contributed to the Hutto High School Make-a-Wish Foundation service project team to support a child in Williamson County who is on the Make-a-Wish list. The team is still collecting financial donations; contact Dana Allamon at (512) 759-4712 if you would like to help.

(Left to right) Hutto High students Cara Wood, Ashleigh Trejo, Lauren Herber and Mandee Freitag accepted a check from WM’s Community Relations Manager Lynda Rife for Make-a-Wish.

4-H Club
Waste Management is a supporter of the 4-H club.

Monica Meurer proudly showed her goat at the
Williamson County Livestock Show.

Recycling Tips
Waste Management is sponsoring Keep Hutto Beautiful’s “Recycling Tip of the Month” in the Hutto News.

We strive to have an open-door policy and to listen to our neighbors. We are happy to provide tours to individuals and groups, upon request.

Facility Tours (All Ages)
Teachers and students are welcome to arrange tours of the Williamson County Landfill to learn about the many facets of managing the waste produced in our area. To find out more about the facility tour or to schedule a date to visit, contact the Williamson County Landfill office at (512) 759-8881.

"EarthSavers - It's in Our Hands" (Grades 3-9)
Waste Management has produced exciting, useful and educational materials that can be used for school tours, classroom visits, and Earth Day events. The student activity booklet includes environmental information, family activities, and a chart to enter the conservation activities they have completed. The Teacher Activity Guide can be used by teachers or parents to stimulate good environmental awareness and citizenship.

"The Story of Garbage" (Grades 5-9)
This video produced and distributed through Waste Management is recommended for use in classrooms from Grades 5 through 9. It discusses in length, the creation of waste in our society today, and what is being done to manage it. Whether recycled, placed in landfills, burned in waste-to-energy facilities, or dealt with in a variety of other processes, this program identifies the many sources of garbage, as well as the safest and most efficient methods of disposing of it.

Curriculum units applicable to the video program include Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science and Earth/Space Science.