Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co.:

Encourages customers to recycle and reuse their old nursery pots to reduce waste.

Recycles nursery pots for planting, storing materials, and transporting materials.

Recycles soil, stone, and other landscape materials.

South Texas Botanical Gardens:

Uses paper bags in the gift shop instead of plastic to reduce waste.

Recycles office materials like extra paper to avoid unnecessary purchases.

Repurposes caliche from old concrete for pathways and uses mulch from local tree trimmers, prioritizing native species such as oak and mesquite.

Hosts recycling events, offering free admission on Texas Recycles Day to visitors who bring plastic bottles or single-use plastic bags for recycling

Port of Corpus Christi:

Runs comprehensive recycling and reuse programs for office waste and distributes reusable items like cups and kitchen utensils.

Organizes community beach cleanups to reduce litter and protect local waterways.

Reuses dredge materials for shoreline stabilization and habitat creation.

Deploys a solar-powered trash skimmer to collect debris at the end of the Salt Flats ditch, preventing trash from entering the ship channel.

American Bank Center:

Introduced new waste and recycling bins throughout the facility to promote proper sorting and reduce landfill waste.

Shoreline Market’s Grab-N-Go items now use BOTTLEBOX containers made from recycled PET beverage bottles.

Pizza boxes at concessions have switched to fiber-based materials for improved sustainability.

Cups used at the venue are ASTM compliant and BPI-certified compostable, suitable for commercial composting facilities.

Port of Corpus Christi:

Purchases electric and hybrid vehicles along with charging stations.

Acquiring diesel vehicles and equipment with Tier 4 engines to meet EPA emission standards and reduce harmful emissions.

Invests in energy-efficient infrastructure, including buildings designed for natural light and motion-sensor lighting, and continues to expand green technologies.

The new Executive Administration Building is being designed with natural lighting and motion-sensor lights.

Purchases ultra-low sulfur diesel, which contains 97% less sulfur than traditional diesel, enabling advanced emission control technologies and reducing air pollution.

American Bank Center:

Transitioned lighting in several areas to energy-efficient LEDs, reducing energy use by about 70% and lowering maintenance costs.

Plans to install new LED lights in the main arena to improve energy savings and enhance the visitor experience.

Port of Corpus Christi:

Making major investments to reduce emissions and improve air quality, including purchasing electric and hybrid vehicles, installing charging stations, and acquiring battery-electric tugboats and forklifts.

Enforces an anti-idling policy and uses surveillance systems to monitor and limit unnecessary engine use.

Port of Corpus Christi:

Developed an environmental policy with six key targets: air quality, water quality, soils & sediments, habitat, resilience/climate adaptation, and climate action, each with measurable performance goals.

Creating an Environmental Sustainability Action Plan to prioritize and guide sustainability initiatives over time.

Maintains an Environmental Management System certified to ISO 14001 standards, ensuring structured, internationally recognized environmental oversight and continual improvement.

Adopts sustainable purchasing practices, encouraging the use of eco-friendly goods.

Incorporates Environmental Technical Specifications into new project designs to meet strict standards for emissions, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

Uses advanced GIS technology to analyze environmental data and support decision-making.

Benchmarks progress through participation in the Green Marine environmental certification program, demonstrating leadership and transparency in environmental performance.

Engages stakeholders and the community to share information, gather feedback, and drive continuous improvement in environmental management.

Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co.:

Uses rainwater harvesting systems that can collect up to 2,500 gallons from just one inch of rainfall, significantly reducing water consumption; also designs and installs these systems for customers.

Promotes xeriscaping and low-water alternative groundcovers to replace traditional lawns, further conserving water.

Collaborates with local irrigation companies to design and implement slow drip irrigation systems for efficient watering.

South Texas Botanical Gardens:

Attempted to drill wells, but the water was too salty due to proximity to wetlands.

Collects rainwater in storage containers and is exploring the installation of a rain harvesting system.

Maintains an on-site retention pond that supports local wildlife and birds, even during water restrictions.

Primarily relies on city water during frequent droughts, but conserves by using moisture meters and hand-watering plants to prevent overwatering and reduce water use.

American Bank Center:

Installed automatic soap dispensers, sinks, and paper towel dispensers to reduce water and paper waste through touchless, sensor-activated technology.

Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co.:

Focuses on native plants like Inland Sea Oats, Tropical Sage, and Padre Island Mist Flower, which need less water and maintenance while supporting local pollinators and birds.

Uses organic fertilizers, compost, and natural pest control to build healthy soil and reduce chemicals.

Partners with local growers to source plants, strengthening ties to the local agricultural community.

South Texas Botanical Gardens:

Minimizes pesticide use due to proximity to sensitive wetlands, applying treatments only to invasive weeds and woody plants near these areas to protect the environment.

Focuses on eco-friendly pest control methods that reduce chemical impact while maintaining plant health.

Supports biodiversity by preserving native habitats and promoting sustainable gardening practices.

Port of Corpus Christi:

Implements green infrastructure and xeriscaping at the new Executive Administration Building, using drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation to minimize water use and manage stormwater.

Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co.:

Hosts regular workshops and events, often partnering with local groups like the Native Plant Society, to promote sustainable gardening.

Shares tips and resources to encourage eco-friendly practices in the community.

Supports local projects such as the garden at the Heart Research Institute on the Texas A&M Corpus Christi campus.

Provides donations to schools and clubs involved with plants and gardening.

Find upcoming events on their website and social media.

South Texas Botanical Gardens:

Shares quick educational videos on native plants and water conservation via Facebook, using catchy messages like “one man’s weed is another man’s wildflower.”

Hosts community events such as “The Big Blue” fundraiser and butterfly releases, adjusting schedules as needed to support sustainability.

Raises butterflies with native plants, teaching visitors about local flora and minimizing pesticide use.

Engages kids with creative projects, like building a holiday tree from recycled materials.

Partners with local businesses, such as H-E-B, for recycling events—offering free entry passes in exchange for recycled materials.

Port of Corpus Christi:

Actively collaborates with local stakeholders, industry leaders, and international partners to advance sustainability—recent projects include agreements on carbon-neutral hydrogen, solar energy, and large-scale carbon capture and storage.

Commits to two-way community engagement, sharing information and gathering feedback from diverse groups.

Sponsors the TAMUCC P3 AutoCheck program, offering free vehicle emissions testing to help reduce air pollution in the Coastal Bend.

Supports local education, workforce development, and environmental projects through community funding and volunteer initiatives.

Invests in zero-emission equipment and infrastructure to improve air quality and public health, with recent EPA funding supporting electric vehicles and charging stations at the port.

South Texas Botanical Gardens:

Planning to add solar panels to the property.

Expanding rainwater collection systems.

Implementing a "living machine" wetland-type filter for wastewater treatment.

Executive Director Michael Womack notes a continued shift toward using more native plants and a reduction in pesticide use over the past nine years.

Port of Corpus Christi:

Exploring alternative fuels for the fleet.

Investigating environmentally acceptable lubricants for fleet use.

American Bank Center:

Designing a new hockey ice plant with heat reclamation technology to redistribute warmth throughout the facility for greater energy efficiency.

Exploring ways to reuse water collected from HVAC condensation systems for non-potable purposes to conserve water and support sustainability efforts.

Evaluating lighting and HVAC controls for potential future upgrades to improve energy efficiency.

Planning updates to the chiller system to enhance comfort, reliability, and operational efficiency at the center.

Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co.:

By showcasing Gill Garden Center’s sustainable initiatives, we hope to inspire other businesses and residents in the Gulf Coast region to adopt similar practices. Their commitment to environmental stewardship shows that sustainable landscaping can be both beautiful and functional.

South Texas Botanical Gardens:

South Texas Botanical Gardens leads by example with creative waste reduction, water conservation, and a growing shift toward native plants and fewer pesticides. Their efforts highlight how botanical spaces can nurture both the environment and the community.

Port of Corpus Christi:

The Port of Corpus Christi continues to lead in environmental stewardship, supporting the Gulf Coast’s resilience and economic growth through innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

American Bank Center:

American Bank Center demonstrates that large venues can make a difference through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and thoughtful water management. Their ongoing upgrades and sustainable choices set a standard for event spaces in the region.