City leaders in Port Arthur gathered near the Bob Bowers Civic Center to celebrate the groundbreaking of the city鈥檚 first-ever recycling center, a project made possible by a major grant from grocery giant H-E-B. The new drop-off facility will provide residents with access to recycling services that the community has never had before. 鈥淭oday we have broken ground on the first phase of the first ever recycling drop-off center here in Port Arthur,鈥� said Anahi Villarruel, project manager of environmental affairs at H-E-B.
The project is being funded in part by a $109,000 grant from H-E-B to Keep Texas Beautiful, a statewide nonprofit that promotes environmental stewardship. 鈥淲e鈥檙e actually very fortunate to award the City of Port Arthur $109,000 for the first phase of this project,鈥� said Lou Serna, senior program manager for the nonprofit. Serna noted the money began as a grant from H-E-B to support recycling programs.
Villarruel said the center will accept common household items and provide residents with long-awaited access to recycling opportunities. 鈥淚n the past, you know, they don鈥檛 have the access to recycling and giving people the opportunity to come and recycle their products,鈥� she said. She added that the facility is expected to have 鈥渁 positive impact for the environment.鈥�