Sponsored Post – from Texas Disposal Systems

What started as a small gesture 26 years ago to honor fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery with a trailer of wreaths placed by a handful of volunteers, Wreaths Across America (WAA) has grown into a national organization with more than one million volunteers. The non-profit organization was founded by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, who had a vision to remember, honor, and teach others about the service and sacrifice of our veterans. Each year, the National Wreaths Across America placement ceremony is coordinated simultaneously at more than 1,300 participating locations across the world.

This holiday season, Austin-area volunteers honored Texas heroes by placing more than 2,000 wreaths at the Texas State Cemetery on December 16th 2017. Texas Governor Greg Abbott was joined by local dignitaries at the Wreaths Across America Day ceremony, which included a special focus on the placement of seven ceremonial wreaths by prominent military leaders, each one honoring a branch of the United States Military, as well as those who were POW/MIA. The ceremony and display of wreaths, which are donated locally, provided Austinites with an opportunity to reflect on the service veterans provide and honor their memory.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott participates in the Wreaths Across America event, photo from Texas Disposal Systems

In an effort to make the ceremony environmentally friendly, Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) partnered with Wreaths Across America by donating their time and services for the event. For the second year, Texas Disposal Systems picked up and recycled the wreath boxes, and composted the wreaths at the end of the holiday season. As the only fully integrated waste provider in Central Texas, TDS seamlessly processed these items and their contribution led to almost 900 pounds of recycled cardboard and eight cubic yards of mulch, which was created from the wreaths. Sixty pounds of metal from the wreaths were also diverted from the landfill.

Texas Disposal Systems considers their involvement in the ceremony a privilege and the company looks forward to a partnership with Wreaths Across America for many years to come. “We are honored to be a part of such a humbling event,” said Jim Gregory, co-owner of Texas Disposal Systems. “It is also a wonderful feeling to know we are able to help give back to our local community as a result of our environmental efforts.”

photo from Texas Disposal Systems

Click here for more information about the partnership between Texas Disposal Systems and Wreaths Across America.