San Marcos City-Wide Switch To 65 Gallon Trash Carts
Lawmakers, Citizens Discuss Banning e-Cigarettes For Minors
By: Jon Wilcox
House Bill 647, filed by State Representative Jason Isaac days before the commencement of the 84th Legislative Session, would update current law to include e-cigarettes in the same category as traditional cigarettes. The bill would make it illegal for minors across the state to possess e-cigarettes.
A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill to prevent minors from using and obtaining e-cigarettes.Kyle lawmakers passed an ordinance June 2014 prohibiting businesses from selling e-cigarettes to minors. A statewide law may follow suit.
Isaac learned of the issue from a group of outspoken high school students from Kyle who noticed growing e-cigarette use on campuses. Similar bans previously enacted by local Texas governments and consolidated independent school districts served as a model for HB 647. The bill is expected to receive bipartisan support.
San Marcos City-Wide Switch To 65 Gallon Trash Carts
The City of San Marcos is making a city-wide switch from 96 to 65 gallon trash carts. Currently, approximately 1,000 households have the smaller garbage carts, but starting in late August the City plans to make the new, smaller carts the standard.
“This switch is an effort to minimize the amount of trash that ends up in the landfill and maximize recycling in the City,” said Amy Kirwin, solid waste coordinator for the City of San Marcos. “This is just one of several initiatives the City is planning to encourage an even more eco-friendly city.”
Residents who wish to keep the 96 gallon carts should make arrangements with the City’s solid waste coordinator at 512.393.8407 or email akirwin@sanmarcostx.gov before March 27. Residents who choose this option can expect an extra $3 monthly charge.
Residents who miss the March 27 deadline will be required to pay a $30 exchange fee if they want to change back to the 96-gal cart as well as the extra $3 monthly fee.
Any organization that would like to have the City come speak to their group explaining the new size and how to maximize their members recycling rate can contact Amy Kirwin at akirwin@sanmarcostx.gov.
