Zero Waste Advisory Commission Regular Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission

Agenda — original pdf

Agenda

Item 002 - Routeware Inc RCA — original pdf

RCA Cover Sheet for ZWAC-Revised May 2022 DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR WASTE AND COLLECTION SERVICES Council: 11/20/2025 ZWAC: 11/12/2025 OVERVIEW 1. Requested Contract Term, Authorization, and Current Budget Length of contract and total authorization: Authorize a contract for Digital Platform for Waste and Collection Services for Austin Resource Recovery Department with Routeware, Inc., for a term of 3 years in an amount not to exceed $594,000. ARR current fiscal year budget: Funding in the amount of $198,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. 2. Solicitation Information Solicitation No: N/A # of bids received: N/A # of non-responsive bids received: N/A Length of time solicitation was out on the street: N/A Was the time extended? N/A Issued date: N/A Closed date: N/A Major Scope Change(s): The following items have been added to the SOW: • An appointment scheduler that allows customers to schedule appointments at the Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center; • A special collections tool that allows customers to schedule on-demand bulk, brush and HHW; • A waste sorting game that allows customers to test their sorting knowledge; and • A mobile app for customers to access all the ReCollect tools easily. 3. Previous/Current Contract Information Previous contract: Yes Contract number: NC200000022 Contract length and authorization: 5 Years with one 1-year holdover, $372,998.02 Contract actual spend: $317,589.04 Current status: Active, new contract needed due to current contract expiring. Contract execution date: 12/04/2019 Contract expiration date: 12/03/2025 RCA Cover Sheet for ZWAC-Revised May 2022 4. Notes/Other This contract will provide Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) with a mobile application, which allows customers to view their collection schedules; schedule bulk, brush and household and hazardous waste collection; schedule appointments at the Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center; and search proper disposal methods for various items. The platform also enables ARR to send time-sensitive alerts and service updates directly to users. This contract supports the City’s efforts to keep residents informed and educated about their solid waste services, promotes proper disposal, recycling and waste management practices. While some vendors may offer individual components of these services, no other vendor delivers the full suite of features in a single, integrated package. The full suite of required includes customer collection calendars, service alert messaging, collection features reminders, campaign messaging, a disposal lookup tool, a waste sorting game, …

Item 003 - Keep Austin Beautiful Draft RCA — original pdf

City of Austin Recommendation for Action File #: 25-2417, Agenda Item #: 49. 11/20/2025(cid:4) Posting Language Approve an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Austin Resource Recovery Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20250813-008) to accept and appropriate $35,000 in grant funds from Keep Austin Beautiful (KAB), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, for the purchase and installation of public litter and recycling containers. Funding: $35,000 is available from KAB. A City funding match is not required. Lead Department Austin Resource Recovery Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $35,000 is available from Keep Austin Beautiful. A City funding match is not required. A fiscal note is attached. Prior Council Action: Click or tap here to enter text. For More Information: Richard McHale, Director, Austin Resource Recovery, 512-974-4301; Amy Slagle, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery, 512-974-4302. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: Click or tap here to enter text. Additional Backup Information: Keep Austin Beautiful (KAB) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging the community in building a cleaner, more beautiful Austin through education, volunteerism, and community partnerships. Established in 1985, KAB works collaboratively with residents, schools, and local businesses to promote litter prevention, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship. Each year, the organization mobilizes thousands of volunteers in citywide cleanup and beautification events, provides environmental education programs to students, and supports neighborhood groups in local improvement projects. Through these initiatives, Keep Austin Beautiful plays a vital role in enhancing the city’s sustainability goals and strengthening community pride across Austin. Keep Austin Beautiful (KAB) will grant to the City of Austin $35,000 for the purchase and installation of public litter and recycling containers. Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) will support the procurement, placement, installation, and ongoing maintenance of the litter and recycling containers in locations consistent with City operational priorities. ARR and KAB will collaborate on container branding with both organizations’ logos displayed to recognize the partnership and grant support. City of Austin Page 1 of 1 Printed on 11/6/2025 powered by Legistar™ DRAFT(cid:5) (cid:6)

Item 006 - Circular Economy Presentation — original pdf

Towards a Circular City Maddie Morgan Circular Economy Program Manager Why we do this work Zero Waste Goal Reduce waste by 90% Climate Equity Plan Net-zero community- wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 New Plastics Economy Global Commitment Reduce & eliminate problematic plastics 2 3 Circular Economy Program Support Circular Businesses Change Behavior Lead by Example 4 Supporting Circular Businesses and Entrepreneurs In partnership with Economic Development Technical assistance  Conduct individual business consultations to understand challenges, growth opportunities, and provide resources  Entrepreneurs, small to medium sized enterprises, nonprofits  Goal: meet with 20 enterprises quarterly 6 Roundtables and networking events  Host roundtables and workshops, as time and bandwidth allows  Circular Connect and Share: annual networking and professional development event 7 Circular Showcase Est. 2020  Pitch competition for circular businesses  $10,000 cash prize  Applications open thru November 16.  Eligibility requirements:  Focused on circular economy, zero waste or sustainability  In operation for at least 12 months  < $500,000 in lifetime outside funding  Annual revenue between $35,000 and $250,000 or raised > $100,000 to date  Located within Austin city limits www.austintexas.gov/circularshowcase Save the date! May 14, 2026 8 Circular Accelerator Est. 2023  Three-month program with evening workshops and business coaching  Culminates in soft pitch; top 3 earn spot in Showcase to compete for $2,000  Applications open thru November 16  Eligibility requirements:  Idea focused on circular economy, zero waste or sustainability  Annual revenue < $35,000  Outside funding < $35,000  Founder or representative lives or attends school in Austin city limits www.austintexas.gov/circularshowcase 9 Encouraging Circular Behaviors Austin Reuse Directory Online resource for Austinites to find where to donate, buy used, rent, refill and fix items.  ~550 listings  Annual campaign  Recently added ability to track what search combinations people are making  FY25:  Added 50 new listings  22,500 visitors  10% return rate  Newly added community event calendar featuring reuse, repair and upcycling events in the area www.austinreusedirectory.com 11 12 13 MoveOutATX Est. 2018 End-of-July program to rehome usable items during West Campus move-out  Host temporary donation stations  Partner with 6-10 reuse organizations  Facilitate the Free Furniture Market (est’d in 2022) Tons diverted Furniture pieces rehomed Economic value 21.5 271 819 3,738 $46,537 $639,247 FY25 Since FY18 austintexas.gov/moveoutatx 14 Fix-It Austin Est. Fall 2015 Repair education …

Item 007 - ARR Operations and Administrative Projects Update — original pdf

To: From: Date: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Richard McHale, Director, Austin Resource Recovery November 12, 2025 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Circular Accelerator and Showcase Applications Open The City of Austin offers pathways to support circular entrepreneurs and small to mid-sized enterprises. Opportunities to compete for cash prizes and improve their circular business ideas through workshops and technical assistance is available every year through the Circular Showcase and Circular Accelerator programs. Applications will be open October 13 to November 16. For more information visit https://austintexas.gov/circularshowcase. Brownfields Community Wide Assessment Grant The City of Austin was awarded a $500,000 grant from the EPA to assess and sustainably reuse brownfield sites. Brownfields are defined as real property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be hindered by the potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Over a four-year period, this funding will support environmental site assessments, asbestos and lead paint surveys, as well as cleanup and reuse planning. These efforts facilitate turning underutilized properties into assets benefitting the community, including affordable housing, parkland, and green spaces. Learn more at: https://www.austintexas.gov/brownfields International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Certification The department is seeking possible certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in December 2025. ISO is a non-governmental body that establishes voluntary standards to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency across products, services, and systems. Solid Waste Service departments in San Antinio and Dallas have achieved this certification demonstrating commitment to improve ISO operational efficiency and at: https://www.iso.org/home.html. confidence. More information on customer increase Fix-It Austin Toy Hospital On November 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. Fix-It Austin hosted a Toy Hospital. Residents learned how to repair broken toys with guidance from skilled volunteers. Learn more at: https://www.austintexas.gov/fixit. Cyclovia ATX On November 8, Austin Resource Recovery provided full-service support for Cyclovia ATX (formerly Viva Streets). Trash and recycling bins were placed across nine designated zones within the Mueller neighborhood and surrounding areas. Additionally. street sweeping services were be provided for bike lanes for the event. Veterans Day Parade On November 11, The Veterans Day Parade was held on Congress Avenue. Austin Resource Recovery staff and vehicles participated in the parade and provided street sweeping services. Central City District Plan: Open Houses Austin Resource Recovery will partner with Austin Planning at their upcoming Open Houses for the Central City District Plan. The in-person event will take place at ACC Rio Grande …

Item 007 - ARR Operations and Administrative Projects Update (ADDITIONAL UPDATES ADDED) — original pdf

To: From: Date: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Richard McHale, Director, Austin Resource Recovery November 12, 2025 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Circular Accelerator and Showcase Applications Open The City of Austin offers pathways to support circular entrepreneurs and small to mid-sized enterprises. Opportunities to compete for cash prizes and improve their circular business ideas through workshops and technical assistance is available every year through the Circular Showcase and Circular Accelerator programs. Applications will be open October 13 to November 16. For more information visit https://austintexas.gov/circularshowcase. Brownfields Community Wide Assessment Grant The City of Austin was awarded a $500,000 grant from the EPA to assess and sustainably reuse brownfield sites. Brownfields are defined as real property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be hindered by the potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Over a four-year period, this funding will support environmental site assessments, asbestos and lead paint surveys, as well as cleanup and reuse planning. These efforts facilitate turning underutilized properties into assets benefitting the community, including affordable housing, parkland, and green spaces. Learn more at: https://www.austintexas.gov/brownfields International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Certification The department is seeking possible certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in December 2025. ISO is a non-governmental body that establishes voluntary standards to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency across products, services, and systems. Solid Waste Service departments in San Antinio and Dallas have achieved this certification demonstrating commitment to improve ISO operational efficiency and at: https://www.iso.org/home.html. confidence. More information on customer increase Fix-It Austin Toy Hospital On November 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. Fix-It Austin hosted a Toy Hospital. Residents learned how to repair broken toys with guidance from skilled volunteers. Learn more at: https://www.austintexas.gov/fixit. Cyclovia ATX On November 8, Austin Resource Recovery provided full-service support for Cyclovia ATX (formerly Viva Streets). Trash and recycling bins were placed across nine designated zones within the Mueller neighborhood and surrounding areas. Additionally. street sweeping services were be provided for bike lanes for the event. Veterans Day Parade On November 11, The Veterans Day Parade was held on Congress Avenue. Austin Resource Recovery staff and vehicles participated in the parade and provided street sweeping services. Central City District Plan: Open Houses Austin Resource Recovery will partner with Austin Planning at their upcoming Open Houses for the Central City District Plan. The in-person event will take place at ACC Rio Grande …