Barbara Brown
Victoria, TX
Barbara launched the "Don't Be Crude" program collecting over 6000 gallons of used oil and hydraulic fluid.
Barbara realized that many rural people used oil as a weed killer by pouring it alongside a barn or a fence post, polluting miles of ground water. Barbara decided to find out how to properly dispose of used oil. She discovered that a grant was available to set up recycling centers and proceeded to talk to businesspersons, county commissioners, and county judges about locations for five do-it-yourself recycling centers. She launched the “Don’t Be Crude” program in rural Victoria County, Texas, collecting over 6000 gallons of used oil and hydraulic fluid. Barbara shared that “once the sites opened, farmers and other rural residents seemed to more appreciate the value of natural resources. We have made a six year commitment to this project and will maintain the sites through our senior year in high school.”