City to boost its curbside composting service

Curbside composting service could soon be in a neighborhood near you. Austin Resource Recovery is bringing the Composting Collection Program, which diverts food scraps, yard trimmings and food-soiled paper from the landfill, to another 38,000 homes starting next month. It’s an expansion of what was initially a pilot phase that launched in 2013 with only 14,000 customers. In that time, the city diverted 15,000 tons of compostable materials from the landfill. If all goes according to plan, every curbside customer in Austin should have one by 2020. In response to feedback from the pilot, the program is now offering smaller carts and will accept “BPI-certified compostable bags … (to) address residents’ concerns about the ‘ick’ factor by minimizing odors in the cart.” Austin Resource Recovery is hosting a series of informational sessions later this month and in September. Find the one nearest you on the city’s website.