By: Keri Greenwalt
Father’s Day is just around the corner and Dad deserves a gift that honors him, without creating extra clutter. If he’s not in need of another mug, pair of socks or tie, here are some Zero Waste ideas both Dad and the planet will love.
Spend quality time together
Focus on what your Dad enjoys the most and make arrangements to spend the day together doing something he loves. Concert tickets, a round of golf, a nice dinner, kayak rentals or a night of bowling make great gifts and can create memories you will both che…
By: Ashley Pace
Mother’s Day provides us with the opportunity to reflect on everything our incredible mothers bring to our lives. This year, as you decide how you will honor and thank them, take the extra time to give her an eco-conscious gift she will love and feel good about.
The gift of time
Think about what she would like to spend her day doing. Pack a picnic full of her favorite foods and head to a quiet spot, spend the day volunteering together for a cause she cares about, or rent her dream car for the day and explore the hill country. Maybe…
By: Valerie Vines & Ashley Pace
On our current path, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050, so something’s got to change. Austin is taking the next step, but this time, we are taking our commitment global. Along with over 350 businesses, organizations and governments, Austin has joined the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment with the goal of eliminating unnecessary plastic.
…
By: Jennifer Denton
The Curbside Composting program can change the way we think about household “waste.”
Composted material is like gold, and we want to help you find more of it.
Confusion about what goes in the green composting cart is “natural.” Just remember, “If it grows, it goes,” meaning any material that began its life as an organic substance can go in the composting cart. Yard waste makes up the bulk of the materials collected, but don’t forget about your food scraps. Yes, even those moldy leftovers in the back corner of your refrigerator (minus the container, please). Using a BP…
By: Keri Greenwalt and Susanne Harm
Do you ever wonder what happens to all the stuff you put into your blue recycling cart after it’s picked up at the curb? With global markets and recycling technology quickly evolving, it can be difficult to keep track, but recycling has many benefits. Let’s toss out the myths and shed some light on recycling, so you can feel good about showing your blue cart some love today and every day.
MYTH: Everything can be thrown into the trash cart; the pe…
By Natalie Betts
In the Zero Waste world, we often talk about used items that are about to be tossed into a bin. Making sure that as many of these items as possible go into a bin other than a trash can, so they can be recycled or composted instead, is critical to Zero Waste.
But what can we do to keep fewer items from being tossed out? What if everything around us was designed to be adapted, repaired, or reused? That’s the vision of the circular economy—an economic system where products are kept circulating in productive use at their highest value for as long as possible. It’s a system where…
By Ashley Pace
We’ve made it through another trip around the sun, and now it’s time to think about what we can do in the next year to help live a more Zero Waste lifestyle. Here are some habits you can start today that can make a big impact in 2019.
Refuse what you won’t use
Simply put, if you are offered something, take a moment to think realistically about its value to you. Do you really need another koozie, pen, keychain or notebook from a random event or business? Do you even like the scent of that lotion sample? How many of those paper face masks…
By: Ashley Pace
It’s a busy time of year for everyone, especially those in the resource recovery industry. The increase in traffic on the road and unwanted items in the bins often leads to an increase in injuries to our workers. This holiday season, Austin Resource Recovery asks you to help keep our operators in mind to ensure everyone has a safe and happy holiday.
Slow Down to Get Around
According to the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), solid waste collection employees in the United States have the fifth highest fatality rate of an…
By: Susanne Harm
A cornerstone of East Austin for more than four decades, Montopolis Park will soon experience a metamorphosis. The timeworn recreation building will undergo a transformation into the new, full-fledged Montopolis Recreation and Community Center. It’s already a charming place for nearby residents to recreate, celebrate and meet their neighbors, but after long-planned renovations are complete, this 6.4 acre park will evolve into a crown jewel of Austin’s Eastside.
Before work…
By: Alexandra Mascareno
Have a seat at your favorite restaurant and what do you see? Silverware enveloped in neatly folded linens, a tiny centerpiece with fresh flowers, cute dinner plates and ice cold water. You take a sip and…wait, something’s missing! You take another sip and think about what it could be when finally, it hits you — your straw is missing. More and more these tiny pieces of plastic are disappearing from restaurants around the world.
So, what’s the deal with straws? Well for one, their s…