ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION.
Austin City Code § 2-1-182
in effect§ 2-1-182 - ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION.
(A) The Zero Waste Advisory Commission should be composed of citizens of the city who have demonstrated their concern for and desire to improve the quality of solid waste management and materials/resource recovery in the city, and may include:
(1) a person who has knowledge of or an interest or professional expertise in recycling, waste disposal, hazardous waste, or air quality; and
(2) a person who resides east of Interstate 35.
(B) The director of the Austin Resource Recovery Department is an ex officio member of the board.
(C) The commission is empowered to review and analyze the policies and resources relating to material discard management in the city, and to advise the city council on materials management policies and resources. The commission shall provide assistance to the city council to ensure its residents that the City provides both an economical and environmentally safe system of waste reduction, resource recovery and disposal. The commission may provide assistance to the city council to protect the public health and quality of the environment through efficient collection, recycling, composting, and disposal of municipal solid waste.
(D) The commission shall act as an advisory body to the city council and shall review programs and make recommendations regarding:
(1) the City's waste discard stream;
(2) minimization of environmental impacts due to materials management and waste disposal;
(3) implementation of programs that achieve the city's goals and objectives relating to materials management, including recycling, composting, alternative methods of waste disposal, garbage collection, and landfill diversion; and
(4) zero waste programs.
(E) The commission shall hold public hearings, initiate studies, review and make reports and recommendations to the city council, or other appropriate boards and commissions concerning:
(1) Austin Resource Recovery capital improvement project proposals;
(2) Austin Resource Recovery bond programs;
(3) hazardous waste materials management;
(4) materials management planning and reduction of the waste-stream;
(5) citizens' evaluation on solid waste and materials management matters;
(6) incentives for participation in materials recovery programs;
(7) air quality as it relates to or is affected by waste disposal;
(8) alternative methods of waste disposal;
(9) City's annual budget proposal for Austin Resource Recovery Department;
(10) cost effectiveness and financial impact of solid waste and materials recovery programs;
(11) proposed and existing solid waste facilities within the city and outside the city if they have the potential to affect the city;
(12) solid waste collection and disposal, and materials management programs which have the potential to affect the city and make recommendations to the city council;
(13) effectiveness of materials management on an annual basis;
(14) inventory of the City's solid waste and materials management systems;
(15) use or disposition of equipment purchased for Austin Resource Recovery Department facilities;
(16) contractual obligations relating to Austin Resource Recovery Department facilities;
(17) creation of a diversified short and long term materials management strategy pending federal legislation;
(18) zero waste programs, including reuse, recycling, and composting programs;
(19) landfill diversion;
(20) product stewardship, including but not limited to electronic discard take-back programs; and
(21) reduction of carbon emissions and carbon footprint as it relates to materials management.
(F) The commission may also exercise the following oversight functions:
(1) work with staff to develop programs to implement the commission's duties and responsibilities;
(2) evaluate the economic feasibility and impacts of its goals and objectives programs;
(3) coordinate with the staff for utilization of staff time and resources for liaison activities with the commission;
(4) make policy and budget recommendations to the city council relating to zero waste program implementation;
(5) review materials management program implementation strategies as they are developed;
(6) review staff progress toward successful implementation of materials management on a periodic basis;
(7) review staff reports and studies relating to commission programs, including economic and rate impacts and environmental effects;
(8) review the results from the monitoring of solid waste programs and facilities; and
(9) implementation of the departmental climate protection plan.
(G) The commission shall maintain and promote close cooperation and open communication between the city council, other City boards, commissions, and committees, City departments and individuals, institutions and agencies concerned with the policies and procedures and operation of the Austin Resource Recovery Department and the maintenance and construction of the solid waste disposal facilities so that all similar activities in the City may be coordinated to secure the greatest public welfare.
Source: Ord. 20071129-011; Ord. 20101209-003; 20120126-049; Ord. No. 20160303-033, Pt. 1, 3-14-16.
Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2AD_CH2-1CIBO_ART2BO_S2-1-182ZEWAADCOFetched: 10/27/2026