City of Austin Waste Policy Issues

Texas Disposal Systems is working to ensure that local and state policies impacting waste services are premised on transparency, environmental integrity and fiscal responsibility. In Austin, TDS is a stakeholder in the ongoing City Council Waste Management Policy Working Group reform process.

Of twelve Working Group policy recommendations made in July 2017, most have yet to be considered by the full City Council. This has left large City waste contracts locked down with current contractors, at increased rates, rather than being rebid to improve performance or save money.

To learn more about TDS’ history with the City of Austin and concerns about the City’s management of waste, recyclables and compostables under the direction of Assistant City Manager Robert Goode, please review this 10-year chronology detailing Mr. Goode’s ‘control and capture’ management agenda and its detrimental effects on our community.

City Council Waste Management Policy Working Group

TDS is participating in the ongoing Austin City Council Waste Management Policy Working Group process to develop and adopt reform recommendations for ensuring transparency, environmental integrity and financial responsibility in the City’s management of waste, recyclables, organics and other disposal streams. As this time most of the twelve Working Group policy recommendations issued in July 2017 have yet to be considered by the full City Council.

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Reforming Austin’s Anti-Lobbying Ordinance

The Austin City Council considered staff-proposed revisions to the Anti-Lobbying Ordinance (ALO) on 6/14/18.  While the City Council chose not to adopt most key stakeholder recommendations, TDS continues to advocate for ALO reform to protect free speech rights and ensure fairness and transparency during the City’s waste procurement process.

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Reforming Austin’s Landfill Criteria Matrix

In response to a recommendation from the City Council Waste Management Policy Working Group, City Staff is working to develop a new Landfill Criteria Matrix to evaluate area landfills which receive City-controlled waste. Staff’s proposals have yet to be recommended by the Zero Waste Advisory Commission.

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Solicitation / Resolicitation: Beneficial Reuse of Biosolids

Potential 10-year contract for beneficial reuse of 100,000+ cubic yards of biosolids produced at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant.  RFP CDL2003, RFP CDL2003 REBID and IFB CDL2003 REBID2.

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Solicitation: Citywide Dumpster Collection Services

Potential 6-year, $16,995,000 contract for non-residential collection services for refuse, recycling, brush, compostable materials, special events, Class 2 special non-hazardous waste and emergency collection services. RFP SLW0514.

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Solicitation: Organics Processing Services

Potential 6-year, $4,360,000 contract for processing, sorting, composting and marketing services for the City’s curbside yard waste, food scraps and food soiled compostable paper materials collected citywide from approximately 210,000 households. RFP SLW0509 REBID.

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Solicitation: Curbside Textile Recycling Services

Potential 6-year contract for the development and implementation of citywide curbside soft textile recyclable materials collection from approximately 192,000 households. RFP SLW0511.

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