REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. CITY HALL ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Gustavo Valle, 512-974-4350, Gustavo.Valle@austintexas.gov. CURRENT [BOARD MEMBERS OR COMMISSIONERS]: Gerry Acuna, Chair Ian Steyaert, Vice Chair Melissa Caudle Michael Drohan CALL TO ORDER Caitlin Griffith John L. Harris Ali Ishaq Iris Suddaby AGENDA Seth Whaland Vacant Vacant 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 Regular meeting on April 8, 2026 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discuss whether the City-owned FM 812 Landfill should be reopened as a Construction and Demolition Recycling Diversion Facility, along with historical landfill volume and revenue data leading up to its closure. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. 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 Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Gustavo Valle email Recovery Department, Gustavo.Valle@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. 512-974-4350 Resource Austin or at at For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Gustavo Valle at 512- 974-4350 or Gustavo.Valle@austintexas.gov.
To: From: Date: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ron Romero, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery June 10, 2026 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Waste and Recycling Workers Proclamation Waste and Recycling Workers Week is observed annually during the week of June 17th. It honors the essential work of waste management and recycling professionals who keep our communities clean and safe. Their daily efforts, from collecting trash and recyclables to managing hazardous waste, help to protect public health, maintain clean neighborhoods, and support environmental sustainability. Mayor Pro Tem Vela will issue a proclamation on June 15th in honor of Austin Resource Recovery's dedicated employees. Qualified Processor for Construction & Demolition Debris Processing Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) has approved the application of Texas Landfill Management, LLC or Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) to become a City of Austin Construction and Demolition Qualified Processor. TDS’s status as a Qualified Processor is effective from April 2026 to April 2028, contingent upon the Processor maintaining requirements in City code during that timeframe. The facility was audited by City approved third party Registered Evaluator: Zero Waste Strategies. They found that the average material diversion rate from the landfill at this facility was 67%. The Qualified Processor designation allows general contractors developing construction projects across Austin to reduce required documentation to report to the City by being able to report to the Qualified Processors facility diversion rate in lieu of documenting hauling a tipping receipt throughout the project. City of Austin & Travis County Interlocal Agreement On May 28, 2026, Council approved Austin Resource Recovery’s (ARR) request to negotiate and execute an interlocal agreement between City of Austin and Travis County. The agreement involves the Recycle and Reuse Drop-Off Center at 2514 Business Center Drive. The City and County have had versions of this agreement since 1997. Previous agreements involved only the Household Hazardous Waste portion of the facility. The new agreement also captures the services of the recycling side of the facility where customers can drop off items such as single- stream, electronics, plastic film, appliances, rigid plastics, and Styrofoam. Circular Showcase (All Districts) On May 14, four small businesses with circular business models pitched to judges for a chance to win prize money. The $10,000 grand prize winner was Pickle Envy, who creates fermented foods from local and surplus produce— preventing food waste while offering a nutritious alternative. Other Showcase finalists included …
