Zero Waste: What you can do right now
Eliminating most of the trash being dumped into area landfills is still decades away.
But let's say you want to start doing your part now.
A representative from the City of Austin said there are many things you can do immediately.
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"The obvious is to continue to recycle," Jill Mayfield with the City of Austin said. "But, think about what you buy every day and look at the packaging. What do you throw in your trash can?
"Take a moment to say, 'What is my trash made of? Am I recycling as much as possible? Is there something I could re-use?'"
One thing that might confuse people is exactly what can go in the recycling bin.
You might notice that some plastics have a recycling symbol with a number in the middle of it.
Any bottle with the number 1 or 2, go ahead and throw it in -- the city will recycle it.
But numbers 3-7, you'll have to find somewhere else to recycle it.
Everything else is pretty easy -- the city recycles all kinds of paper, glass and aluminum.
However, the city of Austin does not recycle Styrofoam.
They take yard trimmings, turning them into something called "Dillo Dirt."
That's pretty much it when it comes to what the city recycles.
There are other options when it comes to recycling.
Just South of Austin, you'll find the Texas Disposal Systems landfill.
Bob Gregory of TDS said recycling will be reasonable and efficient.
"It'll become more economical and we will be able to convert much much more," Gregory said.
As of now TDS is able to convert or recycle yard waste, construction material and they also compost.
"If we can make use of the products that come in rather than bury them, that's directly in line with the TDS business model," Gregory said.
The real issue is figuring out how to keep trash out of the landfills, and Austin's mayor said it's a process.
"Inevitably, it's got to be an evolution," Mayor Will Wynn said. "Products have to improve, packaging has to get better. Raising awareness and ultimately having really good cost effective uses for that recycled material."
The zero waste plan gives Austin three decades to change its recycling habits and the way the city thinks about trash.
The count down begins now.