REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION APRIL 09, 2025 6:00 PM CITY HALL ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission maybe participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register contact Karina Camara, at Karina.Camara@AustinTexas.gov or via phone at 512-978-0751. AGENDA Members: Gerry Acuna, Chair Ian Steyaert, Vice Chair Melissa Caudle Caitlin Griffith Amanda Masino Melissa Rothrock Michael Drohan Seth Whaland Ali Ishaq Iris Suddaby John L. Harris CALL MEETING TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 5 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission meeting on February 12, 2025. 2. Approve the minutes of the Special Called Zero Waste Advisory Commission meeting on March 20, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS ACTION ITEMS and return trip fees. 1. Discussion and action to amend the administrative rules for the placement of carts for collection STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. Staff briefing regarding AISD Recycling Efforts and Policies, Darien Clary, Austin Independent School District Director of Sustainability. 4. Staff briefing regarding Austin Resource Recovery Recycling Guidelines and Processes, by Ron Romero, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery. 5. Staff briefing regarding the Proposed Department Rule Amendments for placement of carts for collection and return trip fees, by Jason McCombs, Strategic Initiatives Division Manager for Austin Resource Recovery. 6. Staff briefing on the status of Austin Resource Recovery Operational and Administrative projects by Ron Romero, Assistant Director of Austin Resource Recovery. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Karina Camara at Austin Resource Recovery, at (512) 978-0751 or email Karina.Camara@AustinTexas.gov , for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas …
Ze ro Wa s t e @ Aus t in ISD Pre s e nt a t ion t o: Cit y of Aus t in Ze ro Wa s t e Advis ory Commit t e e April 8 , 20 25 Da rie n Cla ry Dire ct or of Sus t a ina bilit y Aus t in Inde pe nde nt School Dis t rict We ’ll t a lk a bout … 1 Fra me work & Policie s Policie s in Pla ce 2 Init ia t ive s Init ia t ive s 3 St a ffing & Pa rt ne rs St a ffing & Pa rt ne rs 4 Cha lle nge s & Succe s s e s Succe s s e s & Cha lle nge s 1 Fra me work & Policie s Brie f His t ory: Sus t a ina bilit y in Policy & Pla nning New schools designed to green building standards Board passed Sustainability resolution Sustainability & Outdoor Learning centered in Facilities Master Plan & Educational Specifications Construction Design Specs require green building certification and outdoor learning 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 Board adopted Sustainability Policy 2017 $1B Bond Program: 19 new schools, plus renovations 1st Sustainability Plan completed 2022 $2B Bond Program: 14 new schools, 19 major additions/renovations, plus other projects Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee Formalized AISD Sus t a ina bilit y Act ion Are a s Teaching & Learning Infrastructure & Operations Community Engagement Energy Water Zero Waste Procurement Transportation Air Quality Food Nature s a e r A n o i t c A AISD Sus t a ina bilit y Act ion Are a s Teaching & Learning Infrastructure & Operations Community Engagement Energy Water Zero Waste Procurement Transportation Air Quality Food Nature s a e r A n o i t c A Policie s & Proce dure s 20 11 Boa rd Policy for Environme nt a l St e wa rds hip Policie s in Te xa s He a lt h & Sa fe t y Code Pla ce re fe re nce d in AISD Building, Grounds , & Equipme nt Ma na ge me nt Policy Init ia t ive s 20 11 AISD Environme nt a l Sus t a ina bilit y Boa rd …
ZWAC Recycling Presentation Ron Romero Assistant Director Austin Resource Recovery History • 1986: Curbside recycling introduced, source-separated, labor-intensive. • Late 1980s - Early 1990s: Introduction of MRFs, shift to dual-stream recycling. • 1992: PAYT pilot program introduced city-owned recycling bins. • 2008: Single-stream recycling pilot program. Recycling Collection Partnership • To increase their recycling collection efforts, Austin Resource Recovery partners with Balcones Recycling and Texas Disposal Systems. • Balcones Recycling handles 60% of residential curbside residential curbside recycling and TDS gets 40% of recycling. How it works Recycling Collection • Collected Recycling materials include: old corrugated cardboard, old newspaper, mixed paper, used aluminum beverage cans and bi-metal. • Aseptic packaging and polycoated paper will be collected starting in Summer 2025. Decline in Recycling Tonnage Collection • Changes in Consumption Patterns • Economic Conditions • Contamination Issues • Changes in the material Participation/Setout Studies 2024 • Two recycling setout studies were conducted from 03/24/2024 – 04/05/2024 (Spring) 10/21/2024 – 11/01/2024 (Fall) • All City of Austin Council districts were audited twice. Setout Rate Breakdown Summary of Findings April vs October 2024 October ’24 - Overall Recycling Setout Rate: 83.7% April ’24 - Recycling Setout Rate: 85.9% October ‘24 - Lowest Setout Rate: District 8 at 70.3% April ’24 - Lowest Setout Rate: District 1 at 77.2% October ‘24 - Highest Setout Rate: District 7 at 94.3% April ’24 - Lowest Setout Rate: District 1 at 94.5% Summary of Findings April vs October 2024 High and Low Setout Days October ’24 - Lowest Setout Rate: Mondays at 77.4% April ’24 - Lowest Setout Rate: Mondays at 84.7% October ’24 - Highest Setout Rate: Fridays at 87.9% April ’24 - Highest Setout Rate: Fridays at 88.4% All City of Austin districts were audited twice Questions
