AUSTIN, TEXAS – Beginning February 21, 2022, Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), a department of the City of Austin, will suspend large brush and bulk collection for residential curbside customers until further notice. Any missed collection during the interruption will be rescheduled once services resume. These suspensions are attributable to staffing shortages related to COVID-19 and difficulty filling open vacancies.  

With the goal of re-establishing all curbside collections, ARR is hiring entry-level and experienced drivers and has recently increased starting wages. New drivers start at $17 an hour to attract talent, with pay increases as employees progress in their roles and on-the-job commercial driver license (CDL) training. Those interested in becoming part of the ARR team may call (512) 974-1980 or visit bit.ly/ARRApply to learn more and apply.  

For those seeking alternatives during the suspension of curbside collections for brush and bulk items, ARR is asking customers to drop off large brush at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant if possible. Curbside customers are encouraged to donate or gift unwanted bulk items in good condition or hold on to them until service resumes.  Austinites may also schedule a collection through ARR’s Clothing and Housewares program at no additional charge. Additional disposal options can be found in ARR's 'What Do I Do With...' tool. 

ARR’s curbside customers are asked to download the Austin Recycles App for their Apple or Android devices. The app allows customers to receive reminders about their regular trash, recycling, compost and other curbside collections, alerts about collection delays or service interruptions, and schedule appointments at the Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center. 

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 road map 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. 
  

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