Audit finds Austin Resource Recovery education is aligned with best practices but lacks prioritization and measurable goals

Summary

An auditor's review found Austin Resource Recovery follows many best practices for recycling and compost education but does not prioritize campaigns by impact, has inconsistent messaging across city facilities and private haulers, and lacks consistent measurable goals; department agreed with recommendations.

Kathy Harrison, audit lead, presented an audit of Austin Resource Recovery's (ARR) recycling and composting education efforts to the Audit and Finance Committee on Sept. 17 and found that while ARR's outreach generally follows best practices, the department needs clearer prioritization, measurable goals and better coordination with private haulers.

Harrison said ARR is responsible for collecting residential trash, recycling and composting and for meeting the city's 90% "zero waste" diversion goal by 2040, though ARR directly collects roughly 15% of city waste while private haulers account for about 85%. The audit noted Austin Resource Recovery’s community diversion rate has held near 37% for the last decade.

Key findings included: - Lack of prioritization: ARR tracks 90-plus projects and campaigns but does not…

Audit finds Austin Resource Recovery education is aligned with best practices but lacks prioritization and measurable goals

Summary

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