ABOUT AUSTIN WOOD RECYCLING
Our Purpose
Building lives and clearing the way for Texas infrastructure.
History
Michael Martin never dreamed of building one of the largest clearing and grinding contractors in the country or a prominent landscaping materials brand, but in 1987, he purchased a small business in Austin, TX that would come to be known as Austin Wood Recycling.
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Initially raking in $60,000 a year with a grand total of two employees, the company was headed towards certain growth and success. Then the savings and loan crisis hit, the company's largest customer went bankrupt, and Michael had to change up the business plan.
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Tractor mowing kept the company afloat until the economy rebounded; followed by land clearing as developers began to build again. It was quickly realized that hauling brush to landfills was expensive, so the company invested in a few grinders. Rather than dump the green waste, they began recycling it into a variety of mulches.
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The pile of mulch just kept growing though. As it became a problem, Martin decided to increase the company's grinding capacity and hone in on manufacturing and selling great mulches. Thus, the Texas Native brand of landscaping products was born and Austin Wood Recycling began supplying Central Texas area Lowe's and Home Depot stores with bagged mulches.
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Today, Austin Wood Recycling employs 230+ employees, owns 350+ pieces of equipment, and brings in roughly $60 million a year in revenue.
230+ People
350+ Pieces of Equipment
$60 Million
35+ Years In Business
15,000+ Projects
Mission Statement
What Matters Most
From the very beginning, Mike Martin based his approach to business on Biblical principles that he believes are also good business values. Since then, those values have guided all that we do. At Austin Wood Recycling, we keep our values front and center because it helps us steward the business and our work to positively influence all aspects of company operations.
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“To glorify The Lord by being good and faithful servants to His people and creation.”
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Austin Wood Recycling (AWR) has rooted itself in service since 1987, cultivating a family-owned atmosphere in the pursuit of responsible stewardship of the land. Our goal is to give back to nature by recycling the collected materials from suburban and urban improvement projects using sustainable, environmentally friendly land-clearing practices. We strive to respect our natural resources by recycling all organic material; thereby reducing environmental strain and preventing landfill waste.
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By creating our line of premium Texas Native® landscape products from recycled organic materials, we’re proud to manufacture goods from a byproduct of development. And as the nation’s largest contract grinding company, the AWR family is committed to continued growth with Texas and our customers across the United States, using safe, environmentally sound construction and manufacturing methods; exceeding customer expectations by delivering on time, with friendliness and dependability.
Our Values
Community Involvement
In line with our values, Austin Wood Recycling is heavily invested in its surrounding communities with involvement through sponsorships, donations, and fundraisers
Our involvement in the State Fair of Texas through sponsorship of the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction is just one of the ways we give back to the next generation. Austin Wood Recycling's Texas Native brand of mulches have been a mainstay for countless school fundraisers including Vandergrift High School Band, Round Rock High School Band, Anderson High School Band, Cedar Park High School Baseball, Leander High School Volleyball, and Westwood High School Band.​
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Our donations to the Fortlandia Exhibit at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Boy Scouts of America, Riverbend Church Austin, and Hill Country Love Garden have been enjoyed by many and we continue to look for opportunities to donate our time and materials to our community.
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Additionally, our involvement and sponsorship of the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce has allowed us to give back to the community of businesses around us.
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We could not be more proud of or thankful for the communities that surround each of our locations and we are ultimately grateful to serve the people of Texas.
Mulch & Landscaping Products
Texas Native Brand
Made for professional landscapers and local homeowners alike, we produce a wide variety of mulches, composts, soils, and aggregates for purchase in bulk, and individual bags.
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Found in stores across Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, including Home Depot and Lowe's, our individually bagged Texas Native products set the standard for sustainable, long-lasting landscape products.
