In January, I reported that Austin’s recycling program was getting a make-over.  For those of is in central Austin, this program is in sight.

The new recycling cards will look much like our garbage carts only with a blue lid and are scheduled to arrive in October 2008.

The following items can be placed in these new carts together: Plastic bottles (#1 and #2), glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, office paper, boxboard (such as cereal and shoe boxes) and corrugated cardboard.

The City does ask that you help with this new program by placing paper items in a paper bag before placing them in the card and breaking cardboard down so that it loosly fits in the card or living it in stacks next to the cart.  The new item that can now be recycled with this program is the cereal box type of cardboard.

From the Dept. of Solid Waste Services:

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P. O. B o x 1088
Austin, Texas 78767

July 30, 2008

Dear Neighborhood Association,

Beginning in October, City of Austin residential customers will have a new
way to recycle-Single Stream Recycling. Single Stream is an improved, more
efficient way to collect your recycling. Paper, plastic, glass, aluminum and
metal cans will all go into one cart with no sorting. Single Stream also
means more items will be accepted; rigid plastics #1-#7 and boxboard which
includes cereal and soda boxes.

Solid Waste Services (SWS) will begin the distribution of the new 90-gallon
recycling carts in October 2008. Because the carts will hold more material,
collection will occur every other week, meaning fewer trucks on the road,
reduced emissions and improved air quality. In addition, this new method of
collection will provide greater safety for our employees.

SWS is very excited to provide this improved service. To help community
leaders like you get the word out about Single Stream, we have created an
informative video and have staff available to speak at your next
neighborhood association meeting. If you would like to request a speaker,
please visit austinrecycles. com and fill out the brief ‘request for speaker’
form. If you would simply like for us to send you the Single Stream
Recycling video and information, please call 974-6421.

Neighborhood associations are an integral part of ensuring any city service
is successful.

We look forward to working with you on informing your neighbors about the
new and improved way to recycle-Single Stream.

Sincerely,

William E. Rhodes, P.E.

Director, Solid Waste Services