Austin Seeks Residents' Help Reaching Zero Waste Goal

AUSTIN, TX — Officials at the municipal department Austin Resource Recovery seek input from the public on reaching its zero waste goal.

Adopted in 2011, Austin’s Zero Waste Goal includes keeping 90 percent of unwanted items out of local landfills by 2040. From Oct. 15 to Nov. 15, residents can provide their zero waste feedback and thoughts through an online survey.

Austin Resource Recovery is in the process of developing a Comprehensive Plan as an update to the 2011 Master Plan. Unanimously adopted by the Austin City Council in December 2011, the Master Plan established the city’s roadmap to reach zero waste by 2040. It provided recommendations for policy implementation, citywide services, program development and other initiatives. Through that effort, the city has been able to keep 42 percent of discarded items out of local landfills as of 2015.

“Taking care of the environment is everyone’s responsibility; for us, it starts with keeping these valuable, reusable materials out of the landfill,” Austin Resource Recovery Director Ken Snipes said in a prepared statement. “The public’s input will help inform our new comprehensive plan and identify opportunities, initiatives and programs for a waste-free Austin.”

Austinites can take the Comprehensive Plan survey from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. Austin Resource Recovery will announce additional input opportunities at a later date.

About Austin Resource Recovery

Austin Resource Recovery provides a wide range of services designed to transform waste into resources while keeping our community clean. Services include curbside collection of recycling, trash, yard trimmings and large brush and bulk items; street sweeping; dead animal collection; household hazardous waste disposal and recycling; and outreach and education. Austin Resource Recovery offers free, voluntary, and confidential consulting services to help Austin businesses reduce waste and comply with the City’s recycling ordinances. In December 2011, the Austin City Council approved the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan, which is the City’s roadmap to Zero Waste. The City of Austin is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to area landfills by 90 percent by 2040.

Learn more at austinrecycles.com.