March 2022
Make Plano Clean and Green,
Join the Great American Cleanup
It’s time for our annual Great American Cleanup! Join us on Saturday, April 23 for this citywide cleanup effort and a post-cleanup party. While the recommended cleanup time is between 8 and 10 a.m., you can schedule your cleanup when it’s convenient for you and your friends. Join us for the after party from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.!

The Cleanup
Cleanup supplies are provided and include: litter sticks, disposable gloves and trash bags. We have a limited number of litter sticks, so register as soon as possible if you would like to request some. 

Participate in the litter cleanup by yourself or with family, friends or coworkers. Our predetermined sites have group-size limits based on the amount of litter at that site. Be sure to pick one that works for your group size.

The After Party
The post-cleanup party takes place in the parking lot at Chase Oaks Church (281 Legacy Drive). We’ll have music, food and booths hosted by City of Plano departments, games and more! Registration to the after party is required to attend. For your convenience, supply and trash drop off is also available at the after party.

Go to plano.gov/GAC to learn more. Registration opens Monday, March 21.
Find, Fix and Save During Fix-a-Leak Week
Being a leak detective can pay off! The average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. That’s the amount of water needed to wash nearly 300 loads of laundry.

Every March we partner with EPA WaterSense for Fix-a-Leak Week, a campaign to spread awareness about leaks, their impacts and how to fix them. Join us for the fun and learning March 14-20! We’ll show you how to find and fix common household leaks. Here are the highlights:


Register at plano.gov/SEEDPrograms and stay tuned to our Facebook page for videos and more during Fix-a-Leak Week.
Reduce Food Waste and Save Money
A 2010 USDA study estimated 40% of the food we produce is thrown away. Some of that food is still perfectly edible when tossed in the trash. Stores and restaurants often purchase more food than they use or sell, the excess is tossed in the trash. Food is wasted before it even reaches the grocery store due to bad weather or processing problems. However, the largest portion of food waste happens in family homes.

Reduce food waste in your home with these easy steps:

  • Stop your berries from molding by putting them in a visible place in the fridge so they’re consumed faster.
  • Freeze fruits and vegetables to help them last longer if not being used right away.
  • Plan meals and create shopping lists in advance for a more accurate estimate of what will be used during the week.
  • Be wary of store sales. Excess food from sales can cause food to spoil if not eaten in a timely manner.
  • Compost food waste at home and use it in your garden if not consumed. Try our free learning module to get started at plano.gov/modules.

Discover more sustainable tips and tricks on our Live Green in Plano webinar channel.
Order Rain Barrels and Compost Bins
Our discounted rain barrel and compost bin sale is back!

To secure yours, place your order by Sunday, May 8 at RainBarrelProgram.org/Plano. Don’t delay – we sold out last year! Pick up your order on Saturday, May 21.

Join us online or in-person for our Rain Barrels 101 class on Wednesday, April 6.

Register at plano.gov/SEEDPrograms.
How to Handle
Frozen Chicken
Some frozen chicken entrees look like they’re cooked—however, they’re not!
Handle raw frozen chicken the same way you would handle raw fresh chicken:
  • Read packages carefully.
  • Follow cooking instructions as written.
  • Cook until the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
  • Disinfect any surfaces and utensils that touched the raw chicken.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw chicken.

Learn more on USDA's website.
Events and Education
P: 972-769-4130
seed@plano.gov

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