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NEIGHBORHOOD SUSTAINABILITY= PARTICIPATION + COMMUNICATION + EDUCATION

APRIL 2012austinrecycles.com

IN THIS ISSUE:

aUSTIN cITy coUNcIl paSSES SINglE-USE bag ordINaNcE

On March 2, the Austin City Council unanimously approved a Single-Use Bag Ordinance, which will take effect in March

2013. The ordinance regulates of the types of bags that can be distributed by business establishments in Austin and encourages a shift to reusable bags.

“Passage of the single-use bag ordinance is a historic step toward Zero Waste,” said Bob Gedert, Austin Resource Recovery Director. “We’re shifting from a disposable society to adopt a reusable lifestyle that’s sustainable for the long-term. Reducing our dependence on limited-use bags not only helps us meet our Zero Waste goals, but it also reduces litter on our streets and in our waterways, keeping Austin clean and livable.”

The ordinance calls for the phase out of limited-use bags by March 1, 2013. The proposed ordinance does not eliminate retail check-out bags. Instead, the ordinance regulates the types of bags permissible for retail check-out, in replacement of limited-use bags.

Consumers will be able to choose the type of bag they would like to use at retail counters in Austin:

• Reusable bags that you bring from home at no cost.

• Plastic bag, 4 mil in thickness, with handles. Retailer sets the price of the bags.

• Paper bag made of recycled content, with handles. Retailer sets the price of the bags.

• Purchase another type of reusable bag from the retailer. Retailer sets the price of the bags.

Exemptions to the ordinance include bags used for dry cleaning, newspapers, pet waste, yard waste, prescription drugs, restaurant carry-out, bulk items (such as produce, nuts, grains, candy, or small hardware items), meat and fish, flowers and bakery goods. Also exempted are bags distributed by local food pantries.

The City plans to conduct extensive education and outreach to retailers and consumers, including bag distribution, a media campaign, signage, speaking to neighborhood groups, etc. For more information, visit austintexas.gov/bags.

Single-use Bag Ordinance

We Need Your Help!

Website Update

Trash Dance Debuts at SXSW

Composting Class Schedule

Upcoming Events

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Residents frequently set their carts too close together, causing operational issues. (Carts should be placed 5 feet apart and away from mailboxes, cars and other objects.) Please help us spread the word to your neighbors, friends and family. We’ve included door-hanger brochures in this mailing to distribute to your neighborhood as a reminder. (If you live in an apartment or condo, you received a different brochure, since you don’t have our carts.)

Why 5 feet apart? Most of our trucks are equipped with automatic arms that pick up the carts. If carts are set too close together or too close to other objects, our drivers have to get out of their trucks to move the carts so the automatic arm can pick up the cart without bumping into or knocking over anything.

5 FEET

SET YOUR CARTS FIVE FEET APART

austinrecycles.com

REMEMBER...

blocK lEadErS, WE NEEd yoUr HElp

WEbSITE UpdaTE

If you’re a frequent visitor to austinrecycles.com, you probably have noticed that our website has a new look and navigation. The City of Austin launched a new website in December, and we appreciate your patience during the transition as we migrated and enhanced content.

If you’ve been looking for the “What Do I Do With?” A-Z recycling guide, it’s back! You can submit feedback about the website by clicking on the black “Feedback” bar on the right side of every page.

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What if I don’t have room to set my carts 5 feet apart?We understand that some areas won’t allow for this; simply set the carts as far apart as possible.

Other Collection Guidelines:• Your trash cart, recycling cart and yard trimmings

must be placed at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on your collection day.

• Do not put recycling or yard trimmings in plastic bags. Plastic bags cannot be recycled in Single Stream Recycling and cannot be composted with yard trimmings.

• Help prevent litter by bagging your trash and allowing room for the cart lid to close.

• Extra bags of trash that do not fit in your trash cart with the lid closed must be placed next to the trash cart and tagged with an Extra Trash Sticker, which can be purchased at most local grocery stores ($4 + tax). Extra bags without a sticker will be charged a per-bag fee of $8 + tax.

• Do not put carts in the path of the mail truck or on top of a water meter.

• Avoid placing your cart under power lines or low hanging tree branches.

• Always place the handle of the cart toward your house.

Please set your carts 5 feet apart and away from other objects (parked cars, mailboxes, etc.) to ensure that our automatic arms can pick up your carts safely and without difficulty.

TraSH proJEcT docUMENTary dEbUTS aT SXSW

This year’s SXSW Festival offered four screenings of Trash Dance, a film by Andrew Garrison, chronicles the making of The Trash Project, a performance art ballet featuring employees and vehicles from Austin Resource Recovery. The Trash Project was produced by Forklift Danceworks in 2009, and two encore performances were held in 2011.

For more info, visit trashdancemovie.com.

is proud to support

TRASH DANCEa film by Andrew Garrison

Premiering at SXSW

Learn about the employees and vehicles who help keep Austin clean.

austinrecycles.com

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Block.Leader@austinrecycles.comaustinrecycles.com

facebook.com/austinrecycles3-1-1

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SprINg aNd SUMMEr coMpoSTINg claSSES

UpcoMINg EVENTS

To make it easier for you and your fellow Austinites to participate in our free home composting classes, we’ve scheduled the classes at neighborhood libraries and farmers’ markets around town in both English and Spanish. Help us spread the word to your neighbors, friends and family.

Here’s a list of upcoming classes:

Earth Day 2012April 22, 2012Noon – 6 p.m.Browning Hangar at Muellerearthdayaustin.orgExhibits, speakers, local arts, kids’ area, food trailers and more.

Viva StreetsMay 20, 201210 a.m. – 3 p.m.Sixth Street from Brazos to Robert Martinezvivastreetsaustin.orgA fun, free festival where a car-free street becomes your playground. Bicycle, play, get fit, people watch, and celebrate good health.

DATE TIME LOCATIONMarch 28 6:30 p.m. Austin City HallApril 4 6 p.m. SFC Farmers’ Market at the TriangleApril 11 6:30 p.m. Windsor Park LibraryApril 14 10 a.m. SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset ValleyApril 16 6:30 p.m. Spicewood Springs LibraryApril 17 11 a.m. SFC Farmers’ Market East - BilingualApril 25 6:30 p.m. Old Quarry LibraryMay 8 10:30 a.m. SFC Farmers’ Market EastMay 8 11:30 a.m. SFC Farmers’ Market East - SpanishMay 16 6 p.m. SFC Farmers’ Market at the TriangleMay 22 10:30 a.m. SFC Farmers’ Market EastMay 22 11:30 a.m. SFC Farmers’ Market East - SpanishMay 26 10 a.m. SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset ValleyMay 26 11 a.m. SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset ValleyMay 30 6 p.m. SFC Farmers’ Market at the TriangleMay 30 6:30 p.m. Austin City Hall

Register to attend at austinrecycles.com.

As you probably know by now, the classes are part of our composting rebate program, which challenges Austin residents to complete a free composting class, downsize to a 32-gallon or 21-gallon trash cart and purchase a home composting system. Austin Resource Recovery curbside customers who do these three things are eligible for a rebate of 75 percent off the cost of their new home composting system, up to $75.

Curious about composting? Email your questions to composting@austinrecycles.com