Plastic pollution has become a growing challenge in San Antonio. After the Texas Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that local plastic bag bans were unenforceable, single-use plastic bags quickly returned to stores. Even with sustainability programs like HEB's reusable bag giveaways and in-store recycling, many plastic bags still pile up in homes — or end up littering our streets and waterways.
When visiting senior homes across the city, I saw firsthand how these bags were overflowing drawers and closets. That's when the idea for the Collection Bin project was born — to transform theis waste into a resource that serves our community. We're setting up collection bins in senior centers throughout San Antonio to gather excess plastic bags. The collected bags are sent to Conviva, where volunteers weave them into durable sleeping mats. These mats are then donated to Haven for Hope, providing comfort and insulaton for those experiencing homelessness.
Our impact grows with every volunteer:
- Teens can help with pickups, sorting, or education campaigns.
- Adults can lend their skills in logistics, management, communications, or outreach.
- Everyone can make a difference — even one donated bag matters
Together, we can protect our planet, reduce plastic waste, and bring hope to those who need it most. A single bag placed in a collection bin can ripple outward — helping both the environment and our neighbors. Together, we can turn waste into hope.
