Five years ago the Liberator covered the Resource Recovery Master Plan on Austin’s Zero Waste goal. It has now been implemented for half a decade. So, where is it now?
Following new environmental studies pointing to landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions as some of the main drivers of climate change, the sustainability of the planet has become a very pressing issue, as reported by the World Wildlife Fund. Austin is hoping to spark change with new environmental initiatives. On Dec. 15, 2011, the City of Austin adopted the Resource Recovery Master Plan detailing a zero waste goal by 2040. According to the Master Plan, the goal is to reduce 90% of the amount of trash sent to landfills by the year 2040. This plan, which has been in effect for over a decade, was updated and revised in 2023. Micheal Taylor, a public information specialist at Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) in Austin, explained the promise and end goal of this initiative.
“The department has reached many of the goals in the 2011 plan, and we expect fiscal year 2024’s diversion rate to [reach] historical rates,” Taylor said. “Our work revolves around meeting this goal while providing necessary services to keep our community clean.”
Environmental plans, like Austin’s Master Plan, are just one of the many cultural initiatives proposed by various locations around the globe. In October 2023, the California Air Resources Board announced that it will mandate all vehicles made and sold starting in the year 2035 to be zero-emission, meaning they will not emit any pollutants from their car engines. Matthew McMillan, natural resources director at SWCA Environmental Consultants based in Austin, explained the positive side of these initiatives.
“Environmental initiatives improve the quality of life in a city and make cities sustainable further into the future,” McMillan said. “Improving public transportation, minimizing waste, and lowering emissions are a few of the goals in the Austin Climate Equity Plan that will improve Austin’s environmental footprint and improve the quality of life for residents.”
Zero waste initiatives are important as they can help limit the need for increasing landfill space, which is harmful to the environment of cities, especially urban communities, according to the New York State Department of Health. In addition, more landfills can lead to an increase in air pollution and harmful gasses in the air which is detrimental for both the environment and overall public health. Sophomore Carter Stanely, a student climate activist, described the effects that urban landfills can have on her local community.
“Landfills have a lot of emissions, specifically greenhouse gasses, and they pollute water and soil,” Stanley said. “I think landfills make any place a bad place to live with the significant health hazard they pose on those who live near them.”
McMillan stated that the City of Austin has worked on broader aspects of these environmental initiatives in recent years by adding safer and more accessible bike lanes, new composting programs, as well as recycling. The department stressed the work required of both citizens and the city to achieve these goals, and according to ARR, it is important to think about waste at home for the city to succeed.
“It is important that all Austinites do their part to help us reach our goal by reducing the trash they create, reusing items when possible, and recycling and composting correctly at home and at work,” Taylor said.