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Programs
The City of Austin provides cart-based trash and recycling collection services for some small businesses in residential areas that do not require dumpsters, however, most businesses choose a private hauler. In addition, the City contracts for downtown collection services in designated areas downtown.
Composting is nature's way of recycling. Rather than sending your biodegradable items-such as food and lawn clippings-to the landfill, you can compost them and use the result as fertilizer for your garden or lawn.
From music and film festivals to races and food contests, Austin is home to many special events that attract hundred of thousands of attendees. These large crowds leave behind large amounts of trash, most of which can be recycled or composted. Austin Resource Recovery’s Event Recycling program provides resources to improve waste diversion at events in Austin.
Austin took an important step toward a more sustainable future by establishing a goal to reach Zero Waste by 2040 and by adopting the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan. But we can’t do it alone. In fact, the City of Austin collects just 25 percent of all the materials generated in Austin. So, we rely on partnerships with private sector service providers, nonprofits, educational institutions, public agencies, the business community and Austin residents to make Zero Waste a reality.
Austin Resource Recovery does more than pick up trash, recycling and yard trimmings at the curb. We work night and day to keep city streets clean and clear of litter. Throughout the year, we clean residential streets and thoroughfares, clear debris from illegal dump sites and remove dead animals from public rights of way.
Zero Waste policies and ordinances allow the City of Austin to influence all the materials generated and distributed within the city, including those not directly collected by Austin Resource Recovery. By setting an example through consistent policy-setting, the City of Austin can achieve Zero Waste citywide and lead the region and the state in waste reduction.
Formerly known as Solid Waste Services, Austin Resource Recovery provides residential curbside collection of trash, recycling, yard trimmings, bulk items and large brush.
The City of Austin is evaluating an ordinance to regulate the use of single-use shopping bags issued at check out. Single-use bags are generally known as plastic “t-shirt” bags or paper bags made of thin paper without handles that are issued at checkout or point of sale.
The Road to Zero Waste is Austin Resource Recovery’s free interactive class for second graders. Captain Can introduces students to the concepts of recycling and conservation in a fun-filled educational activity that incorporates Language Arts, Science and Math.
On Dec. 15, 2011, the Austin City Council unanimously approved adoption of the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan. A culmination of two years of research, stakeholder engagement and community input, the Master Plan sets the stage for the Department’s programs and services for the next 30 years and beyond.
