Austin Resource Recovery is now asking customers to place their carts at the curb no later than 5:30 a.m. on their scheduled collection day, effective through the end of the summer. This change allows operators, or sanitation drivers, to begin collecting recycling, composting, trash, large brush and bulk items one hour earlier, helping to prevent them from performing collections during the hottest hours of the day, the city says.
“Actions like this allow ARR to continue to provide a safe working environment for its employees while delivering award-winning service to its more than 200,000 customers,” said Austin Resource Recovery Director Ken Snipes. “We thank our operators for their hard work and our customers for making this necessary adjustment to protect our employees.”
In addition to the newly adjusted set-out time, ARR has also increased the number of mandatory daily breaks each driver must take. Also known as “stand-downs”, they provide 15 minutes for drivers to rehydrate and rest in a cool place before continuing collection. ARR drivers must break at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. if they are still performing collections.
