City Announces Composting Program

The city announced two programs this week in line with its zero-waste goals: the eco-awareness campaign One Green Step and the Green 30 Challenge. One Green Step, trumpeted this week by Lee Leffingwell and gaming guru/"citizen astronaut" Richard Garriott, encourages citizens "to commit to small, personal green steps to help make Austin a cleaner and greener place to live," according to city materials. To that end, the city is hosting an event at the Pan Am Recreation Center, 2100 E. Third, on May 1, 2-4pm, with informational booths, music, a talk by Garriott, and more. The Green 30 Challenge is designed to cut down on the amount of food waste entering landfills, not to mention consumers' trash bills. Solid waste customers who use a 30-gallon trash bin – the smallest size – or downsize to one will be eligible for a 75% rebate on a composting bin, up to $75, after completing a one-hour class on composting fundamentals. While the project is a pilot program, Solid Waste Advisory Commission Co-Chair Rick Cofer says $100,000 is budgeted, with $75,000 earmarked for rebates. The first composting class takes place this weekend, April 24, at the Austin Green Living Expo; for more on the program, visit www.cityofaustin.org/sws/green30_challenge.htm.