Austin Resource Recovery Launches Curbside Collection Program

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Resource Recovery has teamed up with Goodwill Central Texas to launch the Clothing & Housewares Curbside Collection Program.

To that end, all Austin Resource Recoery customers will be able to schedule a free at-home pickup of unwanted clothing, shoes, accessories, toys, linens and housewares, city officilals said. One of the aims is to reduce waste, given findings of a recent study showing an estimated 6.6 million pounds of clothing and textiles are going to the landfill each year, officials noted.

“This partnership will allow us to reduce the number of textiles going to the landfill while also supporting the local reuse economy and giving clothing and housewares a second chance at life,” Austin Resource Recovery Director Ken Snipes said in a prepared statement.

Items that are collected will be sorted and sold at Goodwill stores in the area. Whatever cannot be sold in their retail stores will be sent to the Goodwill outlet stores, then baled and sold on the commodities market.

ARR customers can visit austintexas.gov/clothing or call (512) 637-7190 to schedule a clothing and housewares pickup. Goodwill will send them a collection bag in the mail that the customer can fill with their unwanted items. Lastly, the customer will set the bag out for collection on the scheduled pick-up date.

Learn more about the program, including what items are accepted at austintexas.gov/clothing.

About Austin Resource Recovery

Austin Resource Recovery provides a wide range of services designed to transform waste into resources while keeping our community clean. Services include curbside collection of recycling, trash, yard trimmings and large brush and bulk items; street sweeping; dead animal collection; household hazardous waste disposal and recycling; and outreach and education. Austin Resource Recovery offers free, voluntary, and confidential consulting services to help Austin businesses reduce waste and comply with the City’s recycling ordinances. In December 2011, the Austin City Council approved the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan, which is the City’s roadmap to Zero Waste. The City of Austin is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to area landfills by 90 percent by 2040. Learn more at austinrecycles.com.

About Goodwill Central Texas

Established in Austin in 1958, Goodwill Central Texas, a private, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization, has become a multi-dimensional non-profit social enterprise deeply entwined with business and job growth, the environment, and the overall spirit of Central Texas. Goodwill empowers more than 10,000 people each year, helping them fulfill their potential, improve the lives of their families, and contribute to the growth of the community. Goodwill operates 30 plus retail stores, two outlets, and has more than 60 convenient donation locations in Central Texas. For more information about Goodwill Central Texas, The Goodwill Excel Center, and the Goodwill Career & Technical Academy go to goodwillcentraltexas.org.