The Austin Audit and Finance Committee meeting on September 17, 2025, focused on the audit of Austin Resource Recovery's (ARR) recycling and composting education efforts. The presentation, led by audit lead Kathy Harrison, highlighted both the successes and areas for improvement in the city's waste management strategies.

ARR is tasked with achieving Austin's ambitious goal of diverting 90% of waste from landfills by 2040. Currently, the department collects only 15% of the city's waste, with the remaining 85% managed by private waste haulers. Despite these challenges, ARR has maintained a diversion rate of 37% over the past decade, which is commendable compared to other cities.

The audit identified several strengths in ARR's educational outreach, noting that the department collaborates with a local nonprofit to educate thousands of students annually. However, it also pointed out significant gaps in prioritizing educational initiatives. ARR's project management tool does not effectively rank the over 90 projects, leading to a lack of measurable goals for outreach efforts. For instance, there are no specific targets for how many people should be reached each quarter or metrics to assess behavior changes resulting from campaigns.

ARR's budget for educational efforts is approximately $2.9 million for the fiscal year 2025, but the funds are spread across various divisions, complicating coordination. The audit also revealed inconsistencies in messaging and labeling related to recycling and composting, which could confuse residents, especially as Austin's population grows and newcomers arrive from different regions with varying waste management practices.

The committee discussed the need for better coordination between ARR and private waste haulers, as current educational efforts are often reactive rather than proactive. The audit recommended that ARR enhance its internal communication and prioritize educational projects more effectively. Management agreed with these recommendations and expressed a willingness to collaborate further.

In response to questions about the disparity in educational contributions from contractors, ARR's Assistant Director Gina McKinley explained that while one contractor pays an educational fee, the others do not, as it was not a requirement in their contracts. However, upcoming renegotiations present an opportunity to address this issue.

The meeting underscored the importance of improving Austin's recycling and composting education to meet the city's waste diversion goals and enhance community engagement in sustainable practices.