Austin's Zero Waste Plan addresses both upstream and
downstream policy and program options; green business, green
buildings, and jobs; as well as regional coordination.
Austin's Zero Waste Plan takes into consideration Austin's
current and planned public and private solid waste
infrastructure, as well as our city's Climate Protection
Program. Recommendations developed through this process are
integral to achieve the U.N. Urban Environmental Accord's
goal to reduce by 20% the per capita solid waste disposal to
landfills by 2012 and Zero Waste by 2040.
To implement the Zero Waste Plan, Austin will focus first
on:
Leading by example. Evaluate departmental waste streams for
baseline data and future monitoring within one year of
adoption of the Plan. Within three years of adoption of the
Plan, frame, develop and implement, where appropriate and
feasible, waste diversion programs with input from City
Departments.
Evaluating the Commercial and Multi-family Recycling
Regulations. Consider and implement proactive education and
enforcement methods for the Commercial and Multi-family
Recycling regulations. Develop and present to City Council
City Code amendments as necessary to require recycling at
all commercial enterprises and multi-family residences and
include them in the stakeholder process. The proposed City
Code amendments should become effective in phases over a
three year period.
Outreach. Reach out to institutions, industrial facilities,
and manufacturers, to encourage them to adopt and implement
zero waste goals.
Promoting composting. Promote composting to remove organic
material and compostables from landfills, which is necessary
to reduce methane and carbon emissions. First, identify the
best strategies to promote on-site composting at work and
home. Second, evaluate infrastructure for residential
curbside, commercial, and institutional composting; develop
strategies to increase composting capacity; and implement a
pilot curbside composting program when composting capacity
is available.
Rethink – what can you do differently?
Before you buy an item, or use and discard one, ask
yourself:
Can I buy this product with less packaging, no packaging or
in a refillable container?
Can I or someone else use this again?
Will the manufacturer take this product back at the end of
its life?
Can I recycle this after I use it?
Learn more about How to Produce Less Garbage.
Reduce – generate less garbage
Buy products that are made to last.
Avoid excess packaging and buy in bulk or the largest
container possible
Use reusable products, such as:
Reusable grocery bags instead of disposable
Reusable water bottles and coffee mugs
Cloth towels instead of paper towels
Cloth napkins instead of paper napkins
Reusable containers instead of plastic bags
Rechargeable batteries instead of disposable
Reuse – extend the life of what you have
Donate unwanted items - try to separate usable items from
non-usable items and find ways to donate them locally:
Charity – Goodwill, Salvation Army etc.
Thrift Stores
Online Communities – Freecycle, Craig’s list etc.
Recycle – close the loop
Recycle as much as possible!
Paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, glass and tin
Plastic bags (grocery or dry cleaner)
Hangers (dry cleaner)
Buy goods packaged in recycled and recyclable materials.
Compost – "Nature's Recycling Program" recycle your food
scraps into soil for your garden
Read more about the Benefits of Recycling.
In general, Green Building improves indoor air quality,
health, and the productivity of its occupants. They last a
longer time, require fewer resources to develop and are
usually more aesthetically pleasing. Resale values of Green
buildings are usually greater than those that are
conventionally built.
When we consider the cost benefits of Green Building on
energy savings, worker productivity, safer indoor air
quality for tenants and homeowners, longevity of the
building, small environmental footprint, etc., then the
initial expenses don't seem so great. Green products may
cost more initially, but in the long run, they will often
save or make you money. Here are three examples:
Example 1) Suppose a landlord buys some paint to repair an
apartment before a new tenant moves in. If the paint
triggers an allergic reaction, then the tenant decides to
move out, the landlord must refund the money and advertise
for
What is in the works?
Commercial and Multi-Family
Recycling Ordinance Reform
Residential and Commercial/Multi-family recycling both play
an integral part in achieving this goal. The current
Commercial/Multi-family recycling ordinance (PDF, 113 KB)
requires certain apartment complexes and businesses to
provide on-site recycling services for their customers and
tenants. On August 20, 2009, the Austin City Council passed
a resolution (PDF, 60 KB) directing the Recycling Ordinance
Reform Subcommittee of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission
to work with staff and stakeholders to recommend amendments
to the current ordinance that reflect additional measures
for reducing waste disposal and increasing recycling, reuse,
and composting in the City of Austin.
Composting Initiatives
By recycling the organic waste created by your household
into compost, it allows you to return badly needed organic
matter to your soil. In this way, we participate in nature’s
cycle, and cut down on garbage going into burgeoning
landfills. And, unlike some fertilizers, compost will not
run off your yard and pollute Austin's creeks and waterways.
Learn more about composting.
Recycling at Events
Green events at city facilities – City ordinance has
mandated that we try to minimize the amount of trash going
into landfills by providing recycling services at city
co-sponsored events. We recruit volunteers to act as
Environmental Ambassadors at these events and also encourage
the vendors to abide by green practices provided to them.
Office Stream Recycling – Recycling at City Facilities
At the City of Austin, we lead by example. Office Stream
recycling enables city employees to easily recycle all the
items that are accepted in residential curbside recycling.
With recycling containers available desk side and in common
areas, city facilities and buildings are doing their part to
meet Austin’s Zero Waste goal.
FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON
AUSTIN'S INNOVATIVE ZERO WASTE PLAN CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW>
------>
<------
All about Green Building in Central Texas
 
8 types of
Renewable energy
Residential & Commercial Recycling |
(PDF,
937 KB)
