Sustainable Living

The Austin Environmental Directory is a guide to environmental issues, identifying and purchasing earth-friendly products and services and for becoming involved in environmental organizations in Austin. The print version is distributed free at many environmentally related businesses in the Austin area. The Directory is also listed on the Austin Environmental Directory website as a series of PDFs. The Directory is edited and produced by Paul Robbins, a longtime environmental activist residing in Austin and contains information on topics such as recycling and composting, water conservation, clean energy, green building and locally grown food.

Established in 1970, Ecology Action is a non-profit organization operating a recycling drop-off and processing center in downtown Austin that accepts more than the City of Austin curbside recyling program. Ecology Action also serve as a clearinghouse for information about recycling, conducts tours and provides volunteer opportunities, staffs booths at various events throughout the year, conducts classroom visits to educate children about recycling and hosts Austin's Earth Day Celebration each year.

Opened in 1990, Eco-Wise features high quality environmentally friendly items such as hemp and organic clothing, footwear, baby care, garden supplies, body care, gifts, bedding, home fashions, non-toxic cleaning and pest control products, energy efficient appliances and green building supplies including non-toxic paint and sustainable flooring. Eco-Wise also sells the renewable fuel Biodiesel produced from domestic crops such as soybean, canola, or recycled cooking oil. Bring your own container. A pump is usally available, but sometimes it is being used for trade shows and promotional purposes.

A national model of recycling new and used building materials, Austin Habitat for Humanity's ReStore is a building materials recycling center providing good quality building materials at greatly reduced prices as well as a funding source for housing projects of Austin Habitat for Humanity. The ReStores offer a wide selection of both new and gently used building materials including ceramic tile, lighting, cabinetry, flooring, plumbing and more. The inventory changes rapidly, so when you see a great one of a kind bargain, snap it up quickly or someone else will!

The Austin Regional Group of the Sierra Club is a grass-roots volunteer organization comprised of individuals from Austin and the surrounding region who care about the environment. General meetings are held monthly on the first Tuesday evening of the month. Programs are normally presentations by local experts on environmental areas of interest to both members and non-members concerned about environmental issues.