Block Leader Summer 2011

IN THIS ISSUE: Dare to Go Zero Zero Waste Q&A Summer 2011 Composting Class Schedule Big Bellys austinrecycles.com

Summer 2011

Become a Zero Waste Ambassador

FOUR FAMILIES COMPETE TO REDUCE TRASH ON CITY’S FIRST REALITY SHOW Four families. Five weeks. One goal: to reduce household trash to zero. The City of Austin produced a Zero Waste reality show called Dare to Go Zero, which debuted on Earth Day, April 22. The show features four Austin families learning to reduce, reuse and rethink their way to a Zero Waste lifestyle. The City of Austin is working toward a Zero Waste goal to reduce the amount of waste sent to area landfills by 90 percent by 2040.

“Zero Waste is something that can seem daunting to accomplish,” said Bob Gedert, City of Austin Solid Waste Services Director. “We decided to create a reality show so Austinites can learn how to rethink their lifestyles by watching their neighbors do it.”

The four Austin families try to go Zero Waste while documenting their progress on camera. Weekly “dares” test the families’ recycling and waste reduction knowledge and provide a chance to win eco-friendly prizes. The ultimate prize: a Sustainable Home Improvement Package worth more than $2,000. Each week, the families’ trash is weighed Biggest Loser-style, and the winner is the family with the highest percentage of “waste loss” by the end of the series.

Want to host a viewing party for your neighborhood?

Download a Zero Waste party planning guide and watch all five episodes at austinrecycles.com.

The Blue Team: Joe, Elisa, Kathy and Konnar Joe and Elisa want to teach their kids to recycle for the benefit of our planet. They also want to learn new ways of reducing waste in their home.

The Green Team: Cassandra, Ashley and Martaeyah Cassandra wants to participate in Dare to Go Zero for her daughter, who cares about the environment, but Cassandra has no idea how or what to recycle.

The Red Team: Tami and Triston Tami applied to be on the show because her teenage son, Triston, has no interest in recycling or reducing waste and thinks recycling is “stupid.”

The Black Team: Julia, Jason and Will With a new baby and six Chihuahuas, their household produces a lot of waste. Jason is an avid recycler, while Julia is a work in progress.

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ZERO WASTE Q&A Q: What is the best way to dispose of broken glass (i.e., a broken bottle in the street)?

A: Broken glass should not be placed in your recycling cart. Instead, wrap it in several layers of newspaper or seal it in a box and label the package “GLASS” before putting it in your garbage cart.

Q: Do I need to remove the caps from plastic water bottles before placing them in my recycling cart?

A: No, but please make sure the bottle is empty and clean.

Q: What should I do with outdated roach traps?

A: Take them to the City of Austin Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located at 2514 Business Center Dr.

Q: I buy frozen juice concentrate, and after making it into juice, I remove both metal ends and put them out for recycling. However, I throw away the waxy paperboard that is part of the can. Can I recycle it also? What about soy milk containers made of similar materials?

A: You can recycle juice cans that are made from aluminum, tin or steel at the curb. However, if it is made from waxy paperboard, it cannot be recycled.

These types of containers are called aseptic containers, which are made of mixed materials that are difficult to separate during the recycling process.

Likewise, we cannot recycle soy milk cartons or other aseptic containers at this time.

Submit your questions to Block.Leader@austin recycles.com. Questions and answers also will be featured in future issues of this newsletter. Pass along your neighbors’ questions too!

SUMMER 2011 COMPOSTING CLASS SCHEDULE For the second year, Austin residents can take advantage of free home composting classes this summer, courtesy of the City of Austin.

Fifteen classes will be offered at farmers’ markets around the city throughout the summer, and several classes will be offered in Spanish.

The classes are part of the City’s composting rebate program, which challenges Austinites to complete a free composting class, downsize to a green, 32-gallon trash cart and purchase a home composting system. Solid Waste Services curbside customers who do these three things are eligible for a rebate of 75 percent up to $75 off the cost of their new home composting system.

In addition, Austin organizations can host a free home composting class at their location upon request. Block Leaders, consider hosting a class for your neighborhood! Organizations are responsible for gathering a minimum of 25 participants, and Solid Waste Services will teach the class in English or Spanish. Classes are offered by request from June 1 to Aug. 31, 2011, and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We want to entice people to give composting a try, since it’s such an important component of reaching To view the schedule of classes, sign up to attend a Zero Waste,” said Solid Waste Services Director Bob class or request a class on behalf of an organization, Gedert. “Composting at home can drastically reduce visit austinrecycles.com. the amount of trash your household produces, making the switch to the 32-gallon trash cart easy.”

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CITY INSTALLS FIRST PUBLIC RECYCLING CONTAINERS Recently, the City of Austin’s Solid Waste Services Department installed a solar-powered trash compressor called a BigBelly outside City Hall. In addition, 19 BigBellys were installed on Guadalupe Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to 30th Street. Recycling containers stand adjacent to the trash compactors. This is the first time recycling of aluminum cans, plastic bottles and clean paper have been regularly offered on public rights of way in Austin.

“Providing recycling in these high pedestrian traffic areas will divert recyclables from the landfill and help us meet our Zero Waste goal,” said SWS Director Bob Gedert.

The BigBelly trash compressors, which get 100 percent of their energy from the sun, replaced 14 regular trash cans along Guadalupe and can hold about four times as much trash. First used in Vail, Colo., BigBellys can also be found at the Alamo in San Antonio, Harvard University and Fenway Park in Boston. The containers’ side panels and front hopper cover are made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled car bumpers. Big Bellys are a year-long pilot program for the City and if successful may expand to other parts of Austin.

WE NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS To meet the City’s Zero Waste goal, we must lead by example, which means reducing printed materials and purchasing recycled and recyclable products.

Solid Waste Services intends to communicate with Block Leaders via email as much as possible.

Please email Block.Leader@austinrecycles.com with your name, mailing address and email address so we may update our records. Thanks!

FIND US ON FACEBOOK! “Like” us to get Zero Waste updates, share tips, learn about volunteer opportunities and more. Join the conversation at facebook.com/austinrecycles.

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BECOME A ZERO WASTE AMBASSADOR Zero Waste Ambassadors are the key to successful recycling programs at community events. They help us monitor recycling containers, educate event goers about where to recycle at events, and staff information booths to share information about programs and services the City offers.

Solid Waste Services also is looking for Zero Waste Ambassadors to volunteer at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility the first Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will help unload vehicles driving through the facility; no training necessary.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:

Zero Waste Ambassadors will receive a free t-shirt as thanks for participating. If you would like to volunteer, email zerowaste.volunteer@austin recycles.com.

Blues on the Green July 6 and 20 Aug. 3 and 17 5:45–9:45 p.m.

The Trash Project Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28 6-9 p.m.

The Trash Project, an award-winning choreographed performance featuring Solid Waste Services employees and vehicles, will encore this August.

Prior to the performances, the City will host One Green Step, an educational and family-friendly event that asks Austinites to commit to one step to help the environment.

WHAT’S YOUR ONE GREEN STEP? Solid Waste Services hosted the second annual One Green Step event on April 23, where Austinites learned about and committed to take one step this year to help our environment. What’s your One Green Step? Log onto austinrecycles.com and click on the One Green Step button to share your story.

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City of Austin Solid Waste Services P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767

Block.Leader@austinrecycles.com austinrecycles.com facebook.com/austinrecycles