Date: May 25, 2016
Source: Austin Resource Recovery
A study by the City of Austin, TX, as part of its Zero Waste initiative, finds that 80 percent of materials found in the city's trash could have been recycled or composted. It revealed that businesses and apartments generate more than 85 percent of the waste stream while only 15 percent comes from city-served single family homes. Additionally, about 37 percent of the waste sent to area landfills could have been composted. And even though the study pegged the city's community-wide diversion rate at about 42 percent, getting closer to a 50 percent diversion rate it hoped to hit last year, it clearly indicates opportunities to expand diversion even further.
PRESS RELEASE
May 25, 2016
Study Finds 80 Percent of Trash is Recyclable or Compostable
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Results from a comprehensive study found that more than 80 percent of materials in the community's trash could have been recycled or composted.
The 2015 Community Diversion Study was initiated by the City Council as part of its vision for reaching Zero Waste in Austin. Austin Resource Recovery worked closely with a private firm to develop the study by broadly measuring recycling, composting and other diversion activities throughout the city. Data collection focused on Austin homes, businesses, apartments and commercial properties.
"To ensure this Study was as comprehensive as possible, we looked at more than just recycling. City and contractor staff worked diligently to measure the results of reduction, reuse, donation and other activities in our community that result in fewer materials being sent to landfills or incinerators," said Aiden Cohen, Environmental Conservation Program Manager for Austin Resource Recovery.
Overall, the study concluded that Austin's community-wide diversion rate is about 42 percent. This Zero Waste initiative's goal for 2015 is 50 percent diversion. More specifically, the study revealed that businesses and apartments generated more than 85 percent of the discards in our community. City-collected materials from single family homes are less than 15 percent of the total trash and recycling generated in Austin. Additionally, about 37 percent of materials sent to area landfills could have been composted.
"I'm extremely encouraged by the results of this study," said Austin Resource Recovery Director Bob Gedert. "The report has provided us with valuable data that shows us how we are doing and where we need to improve as a community in order to reach Council's vision of Zero Waste."
The results of the study, including the data and related calculations, are available online: (https://www.austintexas.gov/2015DiversionStudy). Staff contends that the methodology used could be replicated in future years to measure progress towards Zero Waste goals.
The study's results serve as a starting point for potential policy and program recommendations to accelerate Zero Waste in our community. To learn more about Austin's Zero Waste initiative, visit austinrecycles.com. For a copy of the 2015 Diversion Study, visit https://AustinTexas.gov/2015DiversionStudy. Visit https://youtu.be/Pn0tTTTk40I to view an informational video.
About Austin Resource Recovery
Austin Resource Recovery provides a wide range of services designed to transform waste into resources while keeping our community clean. Services include curbside collection of recycling, trash, yard trimmings and large brush and bulk items; street sweeping; dead animal collection; household hazardous waste disposal and recycling; and outreach and education. In December 2011, the Austin City Council approved the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan, which is the City's roadmap to Zero Waste. The City of Austin is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to area landfills by 90 percent by 2040 or sooner. For more information, visit austinrecycles.com.
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