Texas Disposal Systems

History

In 1977, brothers Bob and Jim Gregory founded Texas Disposal Systems, Inc. (TDS) with $10,000, one customer, one truck and plenty of determination. Building on a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and environmental preservation, TDS has become the largest independently owned solid waste collection and disposal company in central Texas and one of the largest in the nation, offering a variety of services. TDS continues to be a group of Gregory family owned business.

TDS now has offices in Austin, San Antonio, Georgetown, Alpine, San Angelo, Sealy, Weimar as well as the TDS Landfill, recycling and compost facilities located in southeast Travis County, approximately a 15 mile drive southeast of downtown Austin. TDS has continued its growth in more than 35 surrounding counties in central Texas, working with businesses of all sizes, governmental entities, educational facilities, entertainment venues, homeowners’ associations (HOAs), area municipal utility districts (MUDs) and individual rural property owners.

The landfill is the state’s first totally integrated facility of its kind, incorporating solid waste disposal, compost production, and recycling operations from inception. Texas Organic Products (TOP), a large-scale composting and soil blending operation, was established in 1997. TDS expanded operations into San Antonio in 1995, into Georgetown in 1998 and into Alpine in 2007. TDS aquired Garden-Ville in 2001 as a retail center for the compost products made at the various facilities, widely used by landscape professionals and home gardeners. TDS also operates three transfer stations that accept solid waste and recyclables, as well as market organic products.

OUR MISSION

To provide the highest quality waste processing services while keeping the best interests of our customers, employees and environment a priority.

RESIDENTIAL WASTE SOLUTIONS

TDS provides residential waste service to thousands of homes, making us one of the largest residential service providers in central Texas. We serve individual homeowners, homeowners’ associations (HOAs), municipalities and municipal utility districts (MUDs). TDS services include cart and dumpster service, single stream recycling, curbside compostables collection in select areas, bulky item collection, and direct phone access to our residential Customer Care representatives.

Consistent, courteous and safe collection of solid waste and recyclables is our focus, and TDS is committed to maintaining drivers that are professional and courteous at all times. For the budget-minded, do-it-yourself customer, TDS offers convenient disposal options at several of our drop-off facilities.

COMMERCIAL WASTE SOLUTIONS

Texas Disposal Systems is proud to offer more than the basic dumpster service. We offer flexible size and scheduling options for our customers, and so much more. Our expert representatives work with each customer to tailor the best resource recovery solution for them. As a waste company with over 35 years of experience, we have the knowledge that each business needs in order to create a successful waste diversion program. We have customized programs which share this knowledge through the services we provide.

We feel it’s important to consider all facets of a diversion program. We work with our customers to determine the best indoor and outdoor containers based on each unique situation. Our services include a waste audit to understand the refuse streams and build a comprehensive program based on the current recycling and disposal trends, as well as extensive training for staff members, and educational materials for ongoing training. We continue to monitor and adjust the program as necessary, providing reporting, education and materials that can be used to ensure success.

RECYCLING

Recycling means different things to different people, and at TDS we’re always expanding our vision of what recycling can include. We continually look for ways to divert a material otherwise intended for landfill disposal and repurpose it for a new life. This can include traditional “closed-loop” recycling, when a material is reconstituted into the same product, such as turning a discarded aluminum can into another aluminum can. It can also include “open-loop” recycling, when a material is reused for a whole new purpose, as with our Resident Artist program. We’ve also found ways to upcycle a material, using it in the original form for a new purpose, for example, using discarded lumber as display shelves for our Garden-Ville products, and building pole barns using recycled utility poles.

TDS accepts recyclable materials a variety of ways, with the most common means being either single stream or source separated materials from residents and businesses.

Gathering a variety of materials in one collection stream in a single container is called single-stream recycling. Single-stream recycling requires no separation at the point of collection, so it is a more convenient method of recycling. The materials are separated at the TDS Materials Recovery Facility and baled for processing once free of contaminants. Single-stream is the preferred and most convenient method of recycling for most residential and commercial customers, who can easily collect different types of glass, plastic, steel, aluminum and paper products.

Materials separated at the point of collection and kept free of contaminants are source separated. These materials do not require sorting at the Materials Recovery Facility, and only require transportation from the collection site. Cardboard, plastic, metal and paper may be either baled on site or transported from the collection site in a separate container without other recyclables. These materials are ready for processing.

WHY COMPOST AT A LANDFILL?

Texas Landfill Management, L.L.C (TLM), a sister company of TDS, included diversion in its landfill plans from the beginning, permitting space for compost and recycling operations. We wanted to properly handle and manage several waste streams and have the ability to responsibly divert materials which come in as solid waste, to discover or create alternate uses. As part of the permit, TLM began diverting materials which could be used as mulch, soil and compost through the composting division, Texas Organic Products (TOP).

TOP can provide unique and cost saving alternatives to the disposal of organic process wastes for composting, rather than landfilling, which preserves future landfill capacity. These include food and beverage processing related wastes, wood derived wastes and compostable wastes requiring secure document destruction. Also, home gardeners and professional landscaping contractors can take advantage of our 'one-stop shopping' by dumping a load of yard or brush trimmings and hauling off compost, mulch or organic rich topsoil for use on their projects.

TOP encompasses approximately 30 acres and utilizes both conventional windrow and static pile composting operations in Austin. The area includes compost pad surfaces, grinding and soil blending areas, specific areas for feedstock receiving, active windrow composting, curing, screening, wood waste grinding and product storage.

Through the process, microorganisms decompose and digest the organic matter and a rich humus material is created. This process generates just the right amount of heat to eliminate weed seeds, insects, and pathogens. Processed compost is made into compost products and landscape soils, mulches and unique custom blends. The material is tested at a laboratory and carries the United States Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA). This is a compost testing, labeling, and information disclosure program designed to give customers the information they need to get the maximum benefit from the use of our high-quality compost. The resulting compost, mulch, soil blends and natural gardening products are available at our seven retail Garden-Ville locations across central Texas.

ROLL-OFF DUMPSTERS

Waste and recyclable volumes generated can be enormous, so Texas Disposal Systems offers Roll-Off Service customizable for almost any business or residential need. We deliver clean, well-kept containers of a size and style appropriate to your project. We pick up on a schedule that makes sense to you. Compactors are available for businesses to maximize capacity and minimize the number of pickups.

Many municipalities in Texas are instituting new rules reducing business impact on landfills, either by requiring services for recycling or composting — or both. We can designate separate roll-offs for sorting recyclables or organic waste from trash. TDS can simplify responsibility by tracking how much your business diverts and creating the reports local governments require. Residents and businesses with limited space can use one of our mini roll-offs. They take less space in your parking area and are shorter so they’re easier to load. They’re perfect for homeowners, residential demolition, apartment complexes, landscapers, schools and churches, providing a great solution for heavy or bulky items.

Through our roll-off service, TDS provides a customized plan of action, clean roll-off containers delivered and placed according to your direction, scheduled pickup service and tracking, and reporting to satisfy government requirements. Our local, responsive customer service team will assist you in choosing the best container for your project from our variety of container sizes and configurations.

Non Acceptable

• food
• garbage
• containers with food remaining
• plastic bags
• styrofoam
• light bulbs
• batteries
• aerosol cans
• coat hangers
• clothing
• CDs or DVDs
• pet food bags
• pet waste
• motor oil bottles
• garden hoses