Austin Resource Recovery sees mostly positive feedback on its on-demand collection services

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) provided a six-month update on its on-demand collection and services, and thus far, the department has seen positive feedback.

The services, which began in January 2025, saw a general increase in the total tonnage (weigh in tons) collected, but a decrease compared to the previous fiscal year during the same time frame, from January through June, according to a memorandum.

In March, there was a slight reduction of collections due to the temporary suspension of collections for special event needs such as SXSW.

In June, ARR saw another reduction, but that was because of its citywide efforts to provide recovery assistance following a microburst in May, the memo said. As a result, the memo said ARR received over 2,800 service requests from the public. Crews and contracted haulers removed 5,696 tons of brush debris and one ton of bulk debris from the impacted areas, the memo added. 

According to the memo, about 159 tons of household hazardous waste was collected through the on-demand program.

How did on-demand services help with cost for the department? 

The department saw a significant decrease in overtime costs between the two programs, resulting in approximately $139,000 in savings, the memo said.

In the 2024 fiscal year, brush collection cost the department about $66,000 and in the 2025 fiscal year it cost $49,000 — That’s a $17,000 difference. 

According to the memo, bulk collection saw a $49,000 difference between the two fiscal years in comparison. In the 2024 fiscal year, the department expended $157,000. That cost dropped to $108,000 in the 2025 fiscal year, the memo stated.

ARR’s bulk disposal costs also decreased with on-demand, with a approximate $50,000 reduction from the previous fiscal year, the memo noted.

However, only brush collection saved on fuel costs, saving the department about $22,000. The memo said bulk collection services dealt with an increase in miles driven and fuel costs increased $11,000 more than the previous fiscal year. 

The memo also compared the milage between the fiscal years.

According to the memo, brush collection had a significant decrease in miles driven, while bulk collection showed an increase in total miles.  

What is the overall customer satisfaction thus far?

Customers surveyed were randomly selected and received one or more on-demand services, the memo said. Based on the survey, ARR said the overall satisfaction has been positive with over 90% of responders giving the service a five-star rating.