09 Jan What you can do THIS WEEK to advance Zero Waste policy

The Austin Zero Waste Alliance (AZWA) and allies have been tackling the issue of the single-use bag ban and the more recent issue of in-sink garbage disposal versus organics composting for food scraps. There has been some movement on these issues and you should be aware of some important meetings that have transpired and some that are on the horizon. See below for two asks.
 
Last week, AZWA helped lead the charge when it met with all City Councilmembers and/or aides in one day on the aforementioned topics! It was a whirlwind of activity, but our message of keeping on the path to Zero Waste was heard loud and clear.
 
Firstly, in regards to the in-sink disposal method vs. organics composting debate, Councilmember Spelman has proposed a resolution that would allow a company called InSinkerator to become part of an already planned pilot program focused on a public education campaign around composting in 2013. This method of disposal diverts valuable food scraps and sends them down the drain to the city-owned facility at Hornsby Bend where low-grade compost is made called “Dillo Dirt”. Councilmember Spelman’s stated concern is that  apartments, condos and commercial buildings will not be included in the compost pick up program scheduled to roll out in 2015, even though the recently and unanimously passed Zero Waste Master Plan clearly identifies these types of buildings will be included. He also is concerned that these residents won't be educated about what NOT to put down our drains, such as fats, oils and greases (FOGs). Our composting pilot program should not be derailed by the InSinkerator aspect, especially since the entire Council has voted in agreement that composting is the highest and best use of our food scraps. In 2012 alone, the city staff must implement 52 Zero Waste programs outlined in the Master Plan. The staff is stretched very thin and shouldn’t have to implement a program that approves an inferior method defined in this Plan.
 
Secondly, AZWA and allies have been working for the inclusion of paper bags and a shortened timeline in the single-use bag ban ordinance. We had a great victory when the first draft of the bag ban ordinance presented in late 2011 included paper bags, but the timeline was unreasonable. Where the City of Brownsville was able to enact its single-use bag ban in just 1 year, the City of Austin was proposing 4 years! 
 
This fight has been ongoing since 2006 and the proposed timeline would have made Austinites wait almost a DECADE for action on this issue. Luckily, there was push back from the Zero Waste community its concerns have been considered; the new draft proposed brings our timeline down to January 1, 2013. This is a huge step, but we think the city could and should do more and cut it down to 6-months. The bag, grocer and retail industries have had plenty of time to get with the program. Companies like HEB, which supports single-use bag bans in Austin and in other cities, is showing leadership in our community. Other companies should do the same helping save customers and taxpayers money and reduce pollution.
 
Thirdly, the Solid Waste Advisory Commission (SWAC- the city’s panel comprised of citizen and business leaders to help guide solid waste policy) will have a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the newly drafted single-use bag ban ordinance and will vote on whether it’s comprehensive and effective enough to make a recommendation to City Council for approval. We need our Zero Waste members to show up, speak up and help push for a shortened timeline on the bag ban. Can we count on you??
 
So, now for the asks:

1) Please email your Councilmembers and let them know that you are not in favor of disposing food scraps over composting. InSinkerator should not be allowed into the composting pilot program which could veer us off the path to Zero Waste and steal attention from staff that should be focusing on what was promised to Austin taxpayers in the Master Plan. Also in your email, please state that Austin should place a 6-month target for implementation of the single-use bag ban to quicken tax savings and pollution reduction.
 
2) Please attend the SWAC meeting and help push for a more timely bag ban:
When: Wednesday, January 11th
Where: Austin City Hall
Time: 6:30 PM
 
Zero Waste won’t happen on its own, so whether it’s sending an email to City Council or attending the SWAC meeting, please help in any way you possibly can.
 
Sincerely,
 
Stacy Guidry
AZWA Chair
512.326.5655
www.ctzwa.org
http://www.facebook.com/AustinZeroWaste