REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION MAY 14, 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 CALL MEETING TO ORDER Ali Ishaq Iris Suddaby John L. Harris 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 April 09, 2025. ACTION ITEMS 2. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission. 3. Approve appointment of two members and one chair for the Construction & Demolition Reform Committee for the 2025 calendar year. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Resource Recovery FY26-30 Forecast Presentation, by Victoria Rieger, Finance Manager of Austin Resource Recovery. 5. Staff briefing on the status of Austin Resource Recovery Operational and Administrative projects by Richard McHale, 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 at 711. For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Gustavo Valle at (512) 974-4350 4350 or via email Gustavo.Valle@AustinTexas.gov or Karina Camara at Karina.Camara@AustinTexas.gov at (512) 978-0751.
To: From: Date: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Richard McHale, Director, Austin Resource Recovery May 14, 2025 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission 2025 Annual TXSWANA Conference Austin hosted a well-attended 2025 Annual TxSWANA Conference last month, April 20-23rd. The conference included solid waste education and trade in Texas with opportunities to explore the latest in equipment, waste management trends, and regulatory updates. As the host City, the department coordinated opportunities to visit local facilities, including the Recycle and Reuse Drop Off Center and had several staff that presented, including the following sessions: • Disaster Debris Response & Cost Accounting (David McCluggage, Donald Hardee, Samuel Gilbert, Keri Greenwalt) • Talk Trust, Not Trash: The Importance of Community Engagement (Megan Oberdoerster, Lauren Hust) • Austin Resource Recovery ISO 9001:2015 Implementation Project (William Purcell, Marsha Cochran, Erika Phillips, Janet Goode-Gilbert) • Empowered Leaders, Resilient Teams: Driving Efficiency in a Growing City (Monica Allen) Austin Energy’s Electric Lawn Equipment Exchange On April 26, 2025, ARR participated in Austin Energy’s Electric Lawn Equipment Exchange at the Austin Public Health Facility at 2800 Webberville Road. Customers enrolled in the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) were invited to participate in the event. Customers were allowed to drop off their gas-powered string trimmers and blowers and receive a battery powered electric trimmer and/or electric blower in return. ARR’s role was to receive the gas-powered equipment with on-site staff and bring the equipment to the Recycle and Reuse Drop-Off Center (RRDOC) at 2514 Business Center Drive. From there it was packaged for recycling through current contracted vendors. In total, 66 units were exchanged. There have been preliminary conversations of another event later this year. ARR PARD Cleanup Initiatives Resolution No. 20240814-027 directed Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) to provide recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on how we can further prevent and abate litter in City parks. ARR began cleaning several PARD locations through March and April. The cleanups focused both on illegal dumping and homeless encampment removal. Cleanups were conducted in the Onion Creek Greenbelt (Brandt Rd), Walnut Creek-East (Old Manor Rd), Levander Loop, Govalle Park and Yaupon/Spicewood Springs. Crews removed a total of 360 tons of trash/debris. They also diverted 12 tons of material such as metals, tires and shopping carts from the locations. The importance of these cleanups keeps PARD land clean and trash from entering waterways. Below is a snapshot of the …
