Landfills, recycling drop-offs, and garbage collections -- these are just a few things consultants will research to make Austin waste-free by the year 2040.

"Zero waste means to stop the flow of waste coming at communities by designing waste out of the system and incentivizing new programs," Zero Waste consultant Gary Liss said.

Liss was hired by the city and is in town to begin the research process. He's also educating stakeholders on the concept of zero waste.

"We're just introducing the idea of zero waste, what we believe it means, highlighting what other communities have done," Liss said.

The concept doesn't really mean no garbage going to our landfills. It does mean streamlining processes, behaviors, and education to get as close to that as we can. Teams will identify what does work, what doesn't, and what companies and people are already doing to keep a lid on grungy garbage.

But are people up to the challenge of zero waste by 2040? It all depends on who you ask.

"It's a beautiful idea. I don't think it's possible. I don't think that people are actually willing to take that step," neighbor Cynthia Jones said.

Austinite Johnny Sanders disagrees.

"If everybody works together, works as a team, we can accomplish something. Together we stand, divided we fall," Sanders said.

"I think it's totally doable, and I think that it's important that we all move in that direction," neighbor Christa Chagra said.

The first of three public hearings on the issue is sometime in February. Consultants hope to have a plan ready for city council approval in October.