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The graph and tables below track TDS' performance since assuming responsibility of the recycling program in October 2010. Despite an environment of high commodity prices, TDS lost money in its first two months of operation. Currently the six month total revenue (net of estimated transportation costs) to the City is $174,600.

This is compared to what the City would have made with either of Greenstar's formal offers in 2009 and 2010. During this same time period, the City would have made $806,055 if it had accepted our 2009 offer and $612,575 if it would have accepted our 2010 offer.

Summary »

March 2011 Detail »

Note: Six month Results, including transportation costs (Oct 2010 - March 2011)

Why Monitor?

First and foremost, we continue to update the citizens of Austin because the recycling program you built is important to you and your city.  This is why your program has grown in recent years.  You realize that recycling programs are a key component to a city's green urban infrastructure.  They improve a community's livability!  They do this by reducing emissions, which happens through landfill avoidance, preservation of natural resources, and energy efficiency.  The citizens of Austin want to do the right thing and Greenstar knows that to be true.  Recycling is the core of what Greenstar is all about, and we want the best program for every city including Austin.

In the last two years your program has received inaccurate press consistently.  This unfortunately takes away from the perceived value of the program to residents.  When this happens recycling rates can be affected and city governments can limit expansion or cancel programs.  The reality is that recycling programs are environmentally and economically sustainable.

Recent events during a RFP process that was less than fair to all parties, led the Austin program to a waste company with no single stream recycling experience.  During the first 6 months of the program under Texas Disposal Systems (TDS), the citizens of Austin have reason to have grave concerns.  During this time the citizens of Austin have lost over $500,000 in potential revenues in a very good commodity market.  This is in addition to the more than $1,300,000 the city declined to accept for the prior fourteen months before TDS. That is over $1.8 million that the citizens of Austin have lost.  In addition, it would appear your volumes are dropping by over 10%.  But that can't be right can it?  For two years, these volumes were growing and growing.  Why are they now retreating in the Austin program?

It is important to us that the program we built with the citizens of Austin continue to grow and prosper.  This simply is not happening since October of 2010.  The citizens should be concerned and should remain active in pushing for the proper partner for the city.  Without that proper operating contract and partner, these results of the last 6 months could continue for as many as 20 years.  This is why Greenstar is active in monitoring the program for the citizens of Austin.

Recycling in Austin: Understanding the Facts

March 22, 2011

Austin is an environmental leader that deserves the best possible recycling program. Greenstar was proud to be a part of the City's transition to single stream recycling where volumes of recyclables collected increased by 70% during the two year program. The citizens of Austin played a major role in this growth and Greenstar was proud to provide the capabilities leading to this admirable effort in reducing waste. Read more»

Recycling in Austin: Understanding the Facts

February 23, 2011
In Response

The citizens of Austin deserve better from their recycling partner - TDS. In the four months since TDS has taken over the recycling program, the citizens of Austin have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars that could have been earned with other partners including Greenstar. In an APPLES TO APPLES comparison, Greenstar’s 2009 offer to the City is nearly $350,000 better than TDS in the first 4 months of its contract. Read More»

Recycling in Austin: Understanding the Facts

Sunday, February 6th, 2011
The Austin-American Statesman

Austin is an environmental leader that deserves the best possible recycling program. Greenstar was proud to be a part of the city's transition to single stream recycling where volumes of recyclables increased by 70% during the two year program. The citizens of Austin played a major role in its growth and Greenstar was proud to provide the capabilities leading to this admirable effort in reducing waste.  Read More »

Recycling in Austin: Understanding the Facts

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
The Austin-American Statesman

Austin is an environmental leader that deserves the best possible recycling program. So it was surprising when the City voted last week to reject all bids for a proposed new recycling plant. Regardless of what happens next, Austin's residents should know the facts behind the current recycling program with Greenstar and understand what needs to be considered as the process moves forward. Read More »

Letter to the Editor

Saturday, June 19th, 2010
The Austin-American Statesman

Greenstar would like to provide additional information that was inadvertently omitted from the 'Austin Residents Need to Understand the Facts of Recycling' op-ed. Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) recently proposed an initially "free" recycling program. It isn't free. The short-term option generates $5.8 million for TDS at today's market prices, but offers no rebates for Austin.  Read More»

Austin Residents Need to Understand the Facts and Figures of Recycling

Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Austin-American Statesman

Austin is an environmental leader, and it deserves the best possible recycling program. Last week, the City Council voted to reject all bids for a proposed recycling plant. While the city considers its choices, the residents of Austin deserve to understand the dynamics of the recycling program with Greenstar, and know what to consider as the process moves forward. Read More»

Austin's Recycling Contract

Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Austin-American Statesman

Greenstar commends the City of Austin on its commitment to recycling and to significantly upgrading its recycling program last year with the introduction of single-stream recycling. We congratulate the residents of Austin on a 50 percent to 60 percent improvement in their recycling rate since the launch of the program just over a year ago. Read More»

The City of Austin should be applauded for its commitment to recycling with increases of 70% since the introduction of single-stream recycling with Greenstar.

• The city would have incurred significant charges to upgrade its own recycling system if single-stream had not been introduced in October 2008. 
• Greenstar was hired to rollout the program and transport the materials to its facility in San Antonio while the city determined its best course of action in building its own facility.
• Recycling is one of the best ways to reduce greenhouse gases—and saves money over the cost of landfill.

The City of Austin entered a short-term agreement with Greenstar for its recycling program (2 years) while it determined its longer-term strategy.

• Greenstar paid millions of dollars to upgrade its own systems to accommodate Austin recycling.
• Greenstar is providing the transportation of the recyclables at cost to the city.
• Even after payment is made, the city is expected to save money by upgrading to the single-stream program due to avoided landfill disposal and equipment costs.
• Other cities in Texas have long-term commitments with Greenstar (10 years) and this has lowered the cost of recycling in areas like Dallas and San Antonio. 
• Greenstar is one of the largest recyclers in Texas—recycling is its only business (no competing landfill, or paper mills). Greenstar wants to be in Austin for the long-term and achieve Austin's goal of zero waste.

 Source:  EPA Warm Model, based on current recycling volumes

October, 2008 - Single-stream recycling launches in Austin with Greenstar. All recyclables can be placed in one bin providing convenience for Austin residents and more efficient collection for the city.

September, 2009 - Greenstar submits its first proposal, at the city's request, to reduce its processing fee. If accepted, the city would save $1 million per year for an extension of the contract for three years.

October, 2009 - Greenstar submits two other proposals, at the city's request, to reduce its processing fees in exchange for one- and two-year contract extensions.

November, 2009 - City issues Request for Proposal to build a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Austin.

January, 2010 - Seven proposals received to build and operate a Material Recovery Facility in Austin. 

May, 2010 - Presentations to City Council for new Material Recovery Facility in Austin. Final three bidders include Balcones Resources, Waste Management Recycle America and Allied Waste Services.

June, 2010 - City Council votes to throw out all bids for new recycling facility and consider negotiating recycling contracts outside of an RFP process. City Council meeting held Thursday, June 24th.

September, 2010 - Greenstar contract expires.

October, 2010 - TDS Begins processing recyclables in Austin. 

April 21, 2011 - City Council to vote on new long term contract