Director's Report — original pdf

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To: From: Date: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Richard McHale, Director, Aus�n Resource Recovery April 24, 2024 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Number of customers (under ARR service) that have four units or less that don’t have recycling and composting. Commissioner Melissa Caudle inquired the current number of ARR customers with four units or less that do not have recycling and composting. We have identified that 335 of our multifamily residents currently don’t receive recycling services and 366 residents don’t receive composting services. These customers receive dumpster services for trash disposal and are scheduled to receive carts for recycling and compost services. Follow up on Brownie The area has improved since implementa�on. Recycling on the north side of Brownie has a high compliance rate for recycling materials with litle to no contamina�on, however we are s�ll seeing some contamina�on on the south cul-de-sacs. Compos�ng in the area has had high rates of contamina�on. During collec�ons, opera�ons teams have been sor�ng materials to iden�fy contaminants. Compost employees are not sor�ng through the materials. Contaminants are easily iden�fiable (rigid plas�cs, garden hoses, bicycle �res, trash bags and aluminum are being placed in compost carts). Compost carts are periodically being collected and disposed of as garbage. Average weights are 1300-1500 pounds a�er collec�ng nearly 100% of the carts at 4- plexas on Brownie and providing tags to educate and no�fy the customer of the contamina�on. Landfill waste has also seen improvement, with no bulk set out since the most recent bulk pick up the week of January 15, 2024. There is s�ll extra landfill trash set out, however we are seeing improvement overall. AAR/APD Brandt Road Cleanup The morning of March 4th, ARR was no�fied by Aus�n Police Department’s Rapid Response that abatement would need to be performed at a homeless encampment on Brandt Road. ARR aids APD with the immediate removal of encampments that pose a risk to public safety. The encampment along Brandt Road is at-risk to floods and fires. During the Brandt Road encampment cleanup, ARR crews removed approximately 76 tons of debris from the encampment. The debris collected during the two-day cleanup on March 4th and 5th equates to nearly 5-6 semi-automated residential refuse routes. Onion Creek Street Sweeping ARR Street Cleaning programs provide cleaning of bike lanes, boulevards, downtown and residen�al streets throughout the city. In doing so, the programs rely heavily on temporary collec�on sites set up throughout the Aus�n area. The department has u�lized the Onion Creek buy-out area, and several other loca�ons around the city, to reduce travel �me, and consolidate waste loads. Sites are chosen based on their proximity to street sweeping routes and the landfill. Staff use fire hydrants to fill the street sweeper equipment with water to help with dust control during the sweeping process. ARR installs silt fencing in the staging areas which prevents material from entering storm drains and performs regular liter maintenance to clean up wind-blown debris. The department requires employees to complete job training focusing on driver, equipment, and procedural training. The supervisor conducts weekly evalua�ons of employee performance. Residents can call Aus�n 3-1-1 to share their concerns about street sweeping and temporary staging areas. ARR is currently staging material at 4800 Bolm Road. Austin Resource Recovery 2024 SWANA Award for Sustainable Materials Management Austin Resource Recovery has won the 2024 SWANA SOAR Organization Award for Sustainable Materials Management - The Sustainable Materials Management Organization Award is given to one organization each year that is advancing the sustainable use of materials throughout their lifecycle to minimize waste and environmental impacts. Key circular programs such as Circular Showcase, Fix-it Austin, and MoveOutATX were featured. EPA Grant – Reuse Warehouse The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected the City of Austin to receive a $4 million grant to create a reuse warehouse. Austin was among 25 communities chosen to receive funding from the EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure Recycling Program. The reuse warehouse will accept drop-off donations and redistribute furniture to regional nonprofit organizations with a focus on furnishing homes for those transitioning out of homelessness. The City held a press conference with officials from the EPA, Mayor Kirk Watson, and Representative Gregorio Casar on March 27. The department is currently identifying real estate opportunities to locate this warehouse. The department intends to open the warehouse no later than 2027. Video of the press conference can be found at: austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/301096. Multi-family Composting In September 2023, City Council approved amendments to the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) that will require composting access at multi-family properties in Austin. This policy change will be effective in October 2024. In February, the City conducted a educational meeting in partnership with the Austin Apartment Association on ordinance requirements. Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) will send letters and emails to all multi-family property owners and managers in April 2024 notify them of the ordinance change. Additionally, ARR is currently reviewing (over 50) rebate applications for properties that elect to be early adopters of this ordinance, by starting compost service now. More information at: austintexas.gov/multifamilycompost. Refuse, Recycling, and Organic Carts (CO-OP) The Contractor shall deliver residential refuse, recycling, and organic carts with lid graphics and radio-frequency identification tags. These carts are crucial for the collection of residential garbage, recycling, and organic waste. This item was passed by council on April 18, 2024. FEMA Reimbursement On January 31, 2023, through February 3, 2023, an ice storm covered the City, bringing freezing temperatures, sleet, and icy conditions. The unprecedented ice accumulation resulted in road closures, extensive tree damage, broken power poles, and widespread power outages. The weather system was named Winter Storm Mara. On February 3, 2023, Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown signed local disaster declarations. On April 22, 2023, President Joe Biden partially approved the request from the State of Texas for a Major Disaster Declaration for Texas counties impacted by the effects of ice conditions and winter weather. The City responded to Winter Storm Mara by providing various emergency services for residents including the pickup and disposal of unprecedented quantities of storm debris, primarily downed trees and broken limbs and branches. The City enacted emergency protective measures, and Austin Resource Recovery utilized force account labor and overtime to activate the Emergency Operations Center to provide emergency response activities (communication, coordination, safety meetings, inspections) citywide. FEMA Public Assistance grant awards reimburse the City for expenses incurred for carrying out emergency protective measures from the Winter Storm Mara response during the incident period of January 30, 2023 through February 2, 2023. On April 18, 2024 Council authorized acceptance of a FEMA grant for $28,333.85.  ARR Solicitation Updates As of April 1, 2024 ZWAC Meeting April 24, 2024  Preparing for Council: • Zero Waste Youth Education Program (RFP): The Contractor shall provide a program to support the City of Austin’s goal to reach zero waste by 2040 by continuing interactive education and outreach focused on zero waste concepts and sustainability for elementary through high school-aged students. Since Link to the current contract. • Rental of Refuse Trucks – Short-Term Bridge Contract: The Contractor shall provide, deliver, and maintain rental refuse trucks, as needed, for emergency refuse, brush, and collection services. Link to the current contract.  Published: N/A  Expected to be Published Within 90 days: • Compost Processing Services: The Contractor shall provide complete processing, sorting, and composting of organics, yard waste, food scraps, and food-/oil-soiled compostable paper, as well as marketing services to include detailed data reporting to support the City’s residential curbside compost materials collection services. Link to the current contract. • Daily Drop-off of Unacceptable Bulk Waste Materials Collected through Dumpster or Roll-Off Service: The Contractor shall receive daily collections of the City’s unacceptable bulk waste that is collected via dumpsters or roll-off services and disposed of at their disposal facility or landfill. New contract. • Curbside Textiles Collection Program: The Contractor shall develop and implement an all-inclusive curbside soft textile recyclable materials collection services program that will not compete with charitable donation centers. Link to the current contract. • Recycling Polystyrene and similar materials: The Contractor shall pick up, transport, and recycle densified foams, including expanded polystyrene foam, expanded polystyrene paper, extruded polystyrene foam, expanded polyethylene foam, expanded polypropylene foam, and polyethylene. Link to the current contract. • Latex Paint Recycling: The Contractor shall recycle latex paint to increase the City’s rate of diversion and shall a create marketable product that can be sold to offset the cost of creating that product. Link to the current contract. City of Austin Page 1 of Printed on 4/5/2024 powered by Legistar™ Definitions: CCO (Capital Contracting Office): Administers the procurement of professional and construction services. CO-OP (Cooperative Contract): A contract that has been competitively bid and issued by another government or purchasing alliance with the intention of sharing it with other governmental entities. ILA (Interlocal Agreement): A collaborative contract between local government entities (for example, ARR and a county, state, or school district) to provide more efficient and less costly services, where any payments are made from current revenues. IFB (Invitation for Bid): Formal bidding documents inviting suppliers to submit pricing for goods or services. RFI (Request for Information): Used to obtain industry input, feedback, or reactions from potential suppliers prior to issuing a solicitation. RFQ (Request for Quotation): Informal request to suppliers to provide quotes on specific goods or services. RFQS (Request for Qualifications): Formal solicitation used when qualifications are the main criteria for professional services. RFP (Request for Proposals): Formal request for a supplier to provide a solution and cost estimate to a complex need. City of Austin Page 2 of Printed on 4/5/2024 powered by Legistar™ City of Austin Recommendation for Action File #: 24-4355, Agenda Item #: 3. 4/18/2024 Posting Language Approve an ordinance accepting Federal Emergency Management Public Assistance grant funds from the Texas Department of Emergency Management and amending the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20230816-008) to appropriate funding in the amount of $28,334 for Winter Storm Mara expenses. Lead Department Austin Resource Recovery Fiscal Note Funding the amount of $28,334 is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via the Texas Department of Emergency Management. A City match of 25% is required and available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. For More Information: Richard McHale, Director, Austin Resource Recovery, 512-974-1997; Aoife Longmore, Deputy Director, Homeland and Emergency Services Management, 512-974-0468 Additional Backup Information: On January 31, 2023, through February 3, 2023, an ice storm covered the City, bringing freezing temperatures, sleet, and icy conditions. The unprecedented ice accumulation resulted in road closures, extensive tree damage, broken power poles, and widespread power outages. The weather system was named Winter Storm Mara. On February 3, 2023, Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown signed local disaster declarations. On April 22, 2023, President Joe Biden partially approved the request from the State of Texas for a Major Disaster Declaration for Texas counties impacted by the effects of ice conditions and winter weather. The City responded to Winter Storm Mara by providing various emergency services for residents including the pickup and disposal of unprecedented quantities of storm debris, primarily downed trees and broken limbs and branches. The City enacted emergency protective measures, and Austin Resource Recovery utilized force account labor and overtime to activate the Emergency Operations Center to provide emergency response activities (communication, coordination, safety meetings, inspections) citywide. FEMA Public Assistance grant awards reimburse the City for expenses incurred for carrying out emergency protective measures from the Winter Storm Mara response during the incident period of January 30, 2023 through February 2, 2023. Austin Resource Recovery will not be required to contribute additional funds beyond those currently expended on this grant. City of Austin Page 3 of Printed on 4/5/2024 powered by Legistar™  File #: 24-4355, Agenda Item #: 3. 4/18/2024 Project #: 126 Federal Award Date Total Subgrant Amount Federal Cost Share Percentage 75.00% Federal Funds Obligated $21,250.39 Local Cost Share Percentage 25.00% Local Cost Share Amount $7,083.46 02/22/2024 $28,333.85 Winter Storm Mara City of Austin Page 4 of Printed on 4/5/2024 powered by Legistar™  RCA Description: Name of Cooperative: Client/Managing Dept.: Previous Contract information Contract number(s): Expiration date(s): Insert Chart: Authorization vs Spend (Separate out by year): Refuse, Recycling, and Organics Containers Omnia Partners Austin Resource Recovery Contract: MA 1500 GC220000002 Expiration: 6/14/2024 Chart: MA 1500 GC220000002 Authorized Expended Initial Term: 12/21/2021 – 01/31/2023 Amendment 1: Option 1 02/01/2023 – 04/30/2023 Amendment 2: Option 2 05/01/2023 – 05/31/2023 Amendment 3: Option 3 06/01/2023 – 07/31/2023 Amendment 4: Transferred contract from previous OMNIA cooperative contract to new OMNIA cooperative contract. 08/01/2023 – 06/14/2024 $3,900,000.00 $940,425.19 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $2,808,842.26 Total $3,900,000.00 $3,749,267.45 Explain how quantities/amounts were determined The requested authorization amount was determined using departmental estimates, historical spend, and forecasted usage. y informal competition conducted within cooperatives? Yes, multiple cooperative programs were evaluated for these goods. ARR compared quotes and discounts on the current contract and determined the pricing is equal or better. City of Austin Page 5 of Printed on 4/5/2024 powered by Legistar™ Contact Person(s): Department Questions (re: the Department, Program that will use this Contract, how the Contract will be used, etc.) (For Citywide RCAs, give multiple contacts for the major Depts contributing to the SOW) Contact Person(s): Procurement Questions (re: the Solicitation, Protests, Offerors, Authorization Amounts, ALO violations, etc.) Certification info? (City, State, HUB) Additional Information/Notes: (Public Interest? Important Information?) partment Contact 1: Austin Resource Recovery Assistant Director Ron Romero will be available for questions during the April 18, 2024, Council Meeting. - Ron.Romero@austintexas.gov - (512) 974-4353 ocurement Contact 1: att Reynolds, Procurement Specialist II, (512) 978-1796, Matt.Reynolds@austintexas.gov Procurement Specialist III, (512) 974-3349, ocurement Contact 2: chard Whipple, Richard.Whipple@austintexas.gov No. The contract is 100% negotiated. A cooperative was chosen due to their substantial volumes, larger than any one government could achieve independently, cooperative contracts routinely include beneficial terms, conditions, and pricing. Use of cooperative contracts also result in lower administrative cost and time savings. Contract Detail: Contract Term Initial Term Optional Extension 1 Optional Extension 2 Optional Extension 3 Optional Extension 4 TOTAL Note: Contract Authorization amount details are based on the City’s estimated annual usage. Authorization $11,500,000 50 months Length of Term 2 months 12 months 12 months 12 months 12 months $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 Contract City of Austin Page 6 of Printed on 4/5/2024 powered by Legistar™ Austin Resource Recovery Curbside Collection and Drop Off Center Operations FY 2022 FY 2023 Jan 2023 Feb 2023 FY23 YTD (Oct 22-Feb 23) Jan 2024 Feb 2024 LAST FISCAL YEAR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR *Estimated tons of curbside recycling processed by vendors as residual - based on bi-annual sample route audit 154,409 152,343 12,971 12,649 14,178 12,774 65,531 160,293 134,125 8,197 613 132,867 8,383 540 11,474 10,553 11,353 730 51 838 45,974 1,607 8 341 1,788 43,548 168 5,636 47 172 53,839 1,528 0 384 1,691 44,445 221 175,089 58 124 3,998 141 0 39 154 4,191 25 326 5 17 8,715 11,249 619 32 750 3,579 98 0 19 102 4,776 14 93,820 3 0 55,775 3,039 205 4,154 63,173 19,037 562 0 138 617 18,942 83 95,093 24 42 Description of Services d e s o p s D s n o T i i d e t r e v D s n o T Tons of Curbside Trash Tons of Curbside Bulk Disposed HHW Operations Tons Disposed Estimated Tons of Curbside Recycling Residuals* Total Disposed Tons Collected Curbside and from Drop Off Center Operations Tons of Curbside Recycling RRC Tons Recycled/Reused RRC Tons of Brush Collected HHW Operations Tons Recycled/Reused Tons of Drop Off Center Collections Recycled/Reused Tons of Curbside Compost Collected Tons of Curbside Bulk Recycled Tons of Curbside Brush Collected Tons of Curbside Textiles Collected Tons of Carts Recycled Total Diverted Tons Collected Curbside and from Drop Off Center Operations Total Tons Collected Curbside and from Drop Off Center Operations Estimated Percent of Curbside Collected Materials Diverted from Landfills by ARR Pounds of Trash Collected per Customer per Pickup Pounds of Recycled Materials Collected per Customer per Pickup (every other week) Pounds of Curbside Compost Collected per Customer per Week 97,333 275,466 102,295 133,838 39,353 110,950 251,742 427,809 21,686 114,945 197,011 22,555 20,820 104,884 271,243 38.32% 63.42% 39.85% 89.01% 67.90% 36.59% 37.97% 37.12% 40.62% Number of Trash and Recycling Customers 212,139 215,063 213,999 214,732 213,829 216,341 215,864 213,481 214,346 24.32 23.76 24.50 24.20 24.08 26.50 23.69 24.77 24.58 16.77 19.37 17.36 15.49 16.54 17.67 14.92 16.01 18.31 Number of Curbside Compost Customers 210,876 213,758 212,761 213,449 212,547 214,967 214,505 212,114 213,130 Total Tons of Dead Animals Collected from COA 51 71 7 6 25 4 5 28 30 7.94 8.00 9.10 10.34 8.23 7.33 8.39 7.46 9.20 FY24 YTD (Oct 23-Feb 24) 57,276 3,502 179 4,573 18,390 702 0 146 767 17,131 81 2,916 14 55 FY 2024 Goal 137,000 11,444 580 11,269 50,731 1,500 0 470 1,715 51,000 255 7,009 40 200 12,412 761 35 11,071 821 45 971 837 4,113 149 0 43 176 3,410 16 659 3 0 8,377 3,465 145 0 34 163 3,896 16 485 5 16 8,046  140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% Austin Resource Recovery Curbside Collection and Drop Off Center Operations 114,945 102,295 21,686 8,715 22,555 8,377 20,820 8,046 Jan 2023 Feb 2023 Jan 2024 Feb 2024 Total Diverted Tons Collected Curbside and from Drop Off Center Operations Total Tons Collected Curbside and from Drop Off Center Operations Estimated Percent of Curbside Collected Materials Diverted from Landfills by ARR 0 0 37% 38% 37% 41% Jan 2024 Feb 2024 FY24 YTD (Oct 23-Feb 24) FY 2024 Goal Reporting Status and Diversion Results for All Categories of Waste Generation Category of Waste Generation Residential Waste Diversion (city serviced accounts) Community Diversion Rate FY2019-20 Actual FY2020-21 Actual FY2021-22 Actual FY2022-23 Actual FY2023-24 Goal FY2023-24 Current 40.38% 41.96% 38.32% 63.42% 40.62% 37.12% * * * * * * *As prescribed in the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan, the Department will conduct a detailed waste assessment study every five years to determine progress toward our Zero Waste goal. The first such study was published in 2015 and is titled Austin’s 2015 Community Diversion Study. The study focused on estimating diversion from both ARR-serviced properties and commercial properties. Commercial properties include retail businesses, food service establishments, professional offices, industrial properties, institutional facilities, government facilities, and multifamily properties five units and larger. According to Austin's 2015 Community Diversion Study, Residential Waste Diversion Rate (city serviced accounts) represents approximately 15% and the Community Diversion Rate (accounts serviced by private waste haulers) represents approximately 85% of the total citywide wastage. Residential Waste Diversion (city serviced accounts) 63.42% 40.38% 41.96% 38.32% 40.62% 37.12% FY2019-20 Actual FY2020-21 Actual FY2021-22 Actual FY2022-23 Actual FY2023-24 Goal FY2023-24 Current Category of Waste Generation Commercial Tons Landfilled** Commercial Tons Recycled** Commercial Organics Tons** CY 2018 CY 2019 CY 2020 1,079,312 402,292 80,906 1,401,619 470,786 102,215 1,359,207 435,875 81,436 ** Numbers reported here are compiled from self-reported data submitted by licensed private waste haulers via semi-annual tonnage reports required under Section 15-6-3 of the City Code on a calendar year basis and as such, ARR does not attest to the accuracy of these amounts. These numbers reflect data from 100-200 licensed haulers (number of haulers varies over time), and include haulers servicing dumpsters, roll-offs, construction and demolition debris, landscaping debris, and metal scrap. These numbers do not reflect all data sources included in Austin's 2015 Community Diversion Study. City of Austin Page 8 of Printed on 4/5/2024 powered by Legistar™ Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting - February 2024 Single Stream Recycling Statistical Report FY24: October thru December Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) and Balcones Resources, Inc. (BRI) Month and Year Contractor Tons Delivered Contractor Payments Revenue Processing Cost Net Value Net Amount * Due/(Owed) October 2023 November 2023 December 2023 January 2024 February 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 TDS BRI TDS BRI TDS BRI TDS BRI TDS BRI TDS BRI TDS BRI TDS BRI TDS BRI TDS BRI TDS BRI TDS BRI 1,594.08 2,841.29 4,435.37 1,439.59 3,288.63 4,728.22 1,033.19 3,821.65 4,854.84 2,480.15 2,604.89 5,085.04 1,985.79 2,342.12 4,327.91 Total Total Total Total Total Total 0.00 Total 0.00 Total 0.00 Total 0.00 Total 0.00 Total 0.00 Total 0.00 $79,704 $278,446 $358,150 $71,980 $322,285 $394,265 $51,660 $374,521 $426,181 $124,008 $255,279 $379,287 $99,290 $229,527 $328,817 ($63,244) ($117,925) ($181,169) ($57,219) ($142,872) ($200,091) ($41,394) ($154,016) ($195,410) ($86,014) ($7,718) ($93,732) ($66,106) $5,965 ($60,141) $16,460 $160,521 $176,981 $14,760 $179,414 $194,174 $10,266 $220,505 $230,770 $37,993 $247,561 $285,555 $33,184 $235,492 $268,676 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Net Value to the City Landfill Cost Avoidance $ per ton value Cost Per Ton Total ($63,244) ($117,925) ($181,169) ($57,219) ($142,872) ($200,091) ($41,394) ($154,016) ($195,410) ($86,014) ($7,718) ($93,732) ($66,106) $4,473 ($61,632) ($39.67) ($41.50) $27.43 $27.43 ($39.75) ($43.44) $27.43 $27.43 ($40.06) ($40.30) $27.43 $27.43 ($34.68) ($2.96) $27.43 $27.43 ($33.29) $1.91 $27.43 $27.43 $43,726 $77,937 $121,662 $39,488 $90,207 $129,695 $28,340 $104,828 $133,168 $68,031 $71,452 $139,483 $54,470 $64,244 $118,715 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 FY24 Totals 23,431.38 $1,156,155 $1,886,699 ($730,544) ($732,035) $642,723 City of Austin Page 9 of Printed on 4/5/2024 powered by Legistar™