in april 2009, the cen-tex sustainability communities partnership was created when fort hood signed a memorandum of understanding with the surrounding cities of killeen, copperas cove, gatesville, and harker heights to plan and implement goals that have long-term environmental, economic and social benefits for the region.

the partnership held a goal setting conference in january 2010 to create common sustainable goals and develop partnership-guided projects to contribute to the vitality and quality of life in central texas.  in work groups, teams developed objectives, goals and plans toward a sustainable region through education, sustainable development and land use, multi-modal transportation, better handling of materials and resources, and improved quality of life.

city mayors and the garrison commander reviewed the objectives and goals and decided a regional recycling program was a top priority as the most feasible and economically viable option which involved and benefited the region.

the vision of the regional recycling program is for the partnership to work together and combine resources to create a recycling program that not only pays for itself, but also contributes funds for other mutually beneficial projects.