FAQ’s Regional Solid Waste Survey
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the CAPCOG Regional Solid Waste Management Plan?
The CAPCOG Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP) outlines the activities and priorities that will be initiated in the region* throughout the planning period of 2002-2022. The planning period for the RSWMP update is 2010-2030. The RSWMP includes population & growth patterns, economic activity, waste generation & characteristics, waste management systems, summary of needs & problems, goals and objectives, and an action plan for the region.
What is the City of Austin Solid Waste Master Plan, and what is the difference between the Solid Waste Master Plan and the Zero Waste Plan?
The City of Austin Solid Waste Master Plan is an operational plan that will outline the specific, detailed actions necessary for Austin to implement the Zero Waste Plan. The Zero Waste Plan is a policy-oriented/goal-setting plan that was adopted by the City in January 2009. It indicates the City's commitment to achieve a 20% reduction per capita of solid wate disposal to landfills and incinerators by 2012, and a 90% diversion or reduction in material sent to landfills by 2040.
What is the purpose of this research study?
The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), in partnership with the City of Austin, is in the process of updating the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan for the 10-county CAPCOG region*, in conjunction with the City of Austin’s process to develop a Solid Waste Master Plan. The purpose of these plans is to provide a framework for future solid waste management and diversion activities in the CAPCOG region and the City of Austin. In getting to Zero Waste, it is important for the City to understand how our solid waste management system currently functions. Additionally, it will be helpful to know where good work is already being done so that the City can focus on potential gaps in service and opportunities to partner with the private sector. In order to develop and advance this planning, an inventory must first be made of all the waste management operations and their capacity in the area. In support of these efforts, information is currently being collected on how much waste is generated, processed, and diverted from landfills. As there is limited information available on solid waste management in the CAPCOG 10-county region and the Austin metropolitan area, your organization's participation is highly valuable.
What information is needed for the City of Austin Solid Waste Master Plan?
In order to develop the City of Austin Solid Waste Master Plan, we first need to understand where the City of Austin and surrounding areas stand in terms of waste diversion and disposal capacity. This means that we need information regarding how your organization processes waste, how much waste your organization processes in a week, if your organization has the ability to process more waste or if you are at capacity, and other similar questions.
How will the information I provide be used?
The information you provide will be used to help CAPCOG and the City of Austin establish a baseline understanding of recycling and waste disposal capacity in Austin and the surrounding areas.* Your information will be aggregated with other organizations' information to identify industry gaps in service, opportunities for service expansion, and opportunities for partnership. The information you provide will be included in a published report to City of Austin’s consultants and as part of the CAPCOG Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, but only in aggregate form. Specific information about your organization, aside from your organization's name, location, and services, will not be included in this published report.
What is the difference between public record and published material?
Any information you provide to us is part of the public record, meaning that it can be made available to those who ask for it, but is not explicitly listed anywhere. Published material is explicitly listed. Results of thsi study will include only feature aggregate data and analyses, basic information on facility locations, and waste management and diversion services.
What government agencies are involved in the CAPCOG Regional Solid Waste Management Plan and the City of Austin Solid Waste Master Plan?
CAPCOG is a voluntary association of counties, cities and special districts in the central Texas 10-county region, whose interests and planning needs are to be represented in the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan. The City of Austin is involved in the development of the Solid Waste Master Plan, with the support and collaboration of CAPCOG.
Is there opportunity for public/private partnership?
CAPCOG and the City of Austin seek to further develop public/private partnerships, particularly in the context of waste service management. CAPCOG and the City of Austin see collaboration with regional businesses and communities as key to reaching the goal of solid waste diversion area-wide.
Although CAPCOG does not offer direct funding for private industry, the funding standards for CAPCOG’s Regional Solid Waste Grant Program encourage public/private partnerships. Through this update of the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, CAPCOG can better identify partnership opportunities across the region.
The City of Austin wants to offer tangible economic incentives and technical assistance for local, green, sustainable, and Zero Waste businesses, and understands the need for these public/private partnerships to achieve their goal of waste diversion.
When will the CAPCOG Regional Solid Waste Management Plan and the City of Austin Solid Waste Master Plan be available for review and comment? Information on the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan and the Solid Waste Master Plan will be available online through CAPCOG and the City of Austin respectively as information becomes available.
For the CAPCOG Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, refer to the following website: http://www.capcog.org/divisions/community-and-economic-development/solid-waste/
The Solid Waste Master Plan for the City Austin is expected to be completed in spring 2011. Additional information on this plan and associated public meetings may be found at the following web address: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/zerowaste_masterplan.htm
Who can I contact for additional information?
CAPCOG
Kelly Freeman
Regional Services
Solid Waste Program Manager
E-mail: kfreeman@capcog.org
Office: 512.916.6040
City of Austin, Solid Waste Services:
Jessica Kingpetcharat-Bittner
Sustainability Administrator
City of Austin Solid Waste Services Department
Email: jessica.king@ci.austin.tx.us
Office: 512.974.7678
*CAPCOG's planning area includes the following counties: Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis, Williamson; and cities within these counties.
RESOURCES
For the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, refer to the following website:
http://www.capcog.org/divisions/community-and-economic-development/solid-waste/
The Solid Waste Master Plan for the City Austin is expected to be completed in spring 2011. Additional information on this plan and associated public meetings may be found at the following web address:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/zerowaste_masterplan.htm
CAPCOG Regional Solid Waste Management Planning:
http://www.capcog.org/divisions/community-and-economic-development/regional-solid-waste-management-planning
City of Austin Integrated Solid Waste Management Master Plan:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/zerowaste_masterplan.htm
City of Austin Zero Waste Plan:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/zerowaste_plan.htm
What is Zero Waste?
As defined by the Grass Roots Recycling Network, Zero Waste is a philosophy and a design principle for the 21st Century. It includes “recycling” but goes beyond to address the reduction of “upstream” waste created through mining, extraction, and manufacturing of products. Zero waste maximizes recycling, minimizes waste, reduces consumption and encourages the development of products that are made to be reused, repaired or recycled back into nature or the marketplace.
General information and links available here: http://www.grrn.org/
About the transition to Zero Waste: http://www.environmentalistseveryday.com/issues-solid-waste-technologies-regulations/zero-waste/index.php
Selected Cities, States, or Countries that have already adopted a Zero Waste Plan:
Albuquerque: http://www.cabq.gov/cap/strategies/recycling-and-zero-waste/recycling-and-zero-waste
Hawaii: http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/zero-waste
Palo Alto: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/pwd/recycle/default.asp
Los Angeles: www.zerowaste.lacity.org/home/index.html
New York City-Citizens Plan for Zero Waste: http://www.consumersunion.org/other/zero-waste/
San Jose: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/greenvision/WasteReduction.asp
Oakland: www.zerowasteoakland.com/
San Francisco: http://www.sfenvironment.org/our_programs/program_info.html?ssi=3
Seattle: http://www.seattle.gov/util/About_SPU/Garbage_System/Plans/Solid_Waste_Comprehensive_Plan/index.asp
Canberra, Australia: http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/12460/nowasteby2010strategy.pdf
New Zealand: http://www.zerowaste.co.nz/
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