Item 004 - ARR Recycling Guidelines and Processes Presentation — original pdf
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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