Trash & Recycling in Austin, TX

If you live in Austin or are thinking about moving there, trash & recycling are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Austin has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of trash & recycling, and some of them might surprise you.

Collection Schedule

Austin Resource Recovery must offer collection service to every premises in the city, and City Code Section 15-6-11 requires most residential accounts to use it: any premises with fewer than five dwelling units has to be on department service unless it fits a narrow exception. The department, not each household, sets the pickup day and frequency under Section 15-6-16.

Key details: Enforcing agency: Austin Resource Recovery. Mandatory-use threshold: Fewer than 5 dwelling units. Curb set-out window: 8:00 p.m. night before to 6:30 a.m.. Bin removal deadline: 10:00 p.m. on collection day. First-offense fine: $100 to $2,000 per day.

Violating Chapter 15-6, including using department bins outside the 8:00 p.m.-to-6:30 a.m. set-out window or the 10:00 p.m. removal deadline, is a separate offense for each day it continues under Section 15-6-132. A first conviction carries a fine of $100 to $2,000; the code doubles the minimum for a second conviction within 24 months and triples it for a third, though the $2,000 ceiling never moves. Austin Resource Recovery officers issue citations returnable to municipal court under Section 15-6-128.

Dumpster Rules

A licensed private hauler can't just drop a mechanically-handled dumpster or roll-off container on an Austin street, alley, or other public right-of-way. Section 15-6-42(B) requires the director's approval or a signed license agreement with the City before that placement, and haulers must keep every dumpster in sanitary, non-hazardous condition under Section 15-6-112(B).

Key details: Enforcing agency: Code Compliance Department. Right-of-way placement: Needs director approval or license agreement. Hauler license expires: December 31 each year. Minimum insurance: $250,000/$500,000 bodily injury. Container condition rule: No foul or hazardous dumpsters.

Placing a mechanically-handled container on the right-of-way without director approval, or letting a dumpster or roll-off go foul or hazardous under Section 15-6-112(B), triggers the same Chapter 15-6 penalty scale in Section 15-6-132: up to $2,000 per day, with the minimum fine doubling on a second conviction and tripling on a third within 24 months. The Code Compliance director can also revoke a hauler's license under Section 15-6-58 for noncompliance.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Austin actively enforces its dumpster rules requirements.

Yard Waste Collection

Austin doesn't run a separate yard-waste chapter: brush and yard trimmings collection is folded into Chapter 15-6's general solid-waste eligibility rule. Section 15-6-5(A)(3) allows brush and yard trimmings pickup only for items that are compostable wood or fiber material the City's composting program accepts, and the director can add limits on quantity or item type.

Key details: Enforcing agency: Austin Resource Recovery. Eligible material: Compostable wood or fiber only. Item list source: Director-published collection list, Sec. 15-6-4. Restriction authority: Director may limit quantity or type. Nuisance offense: Unsanitary accumulation, Sec. 15-6-112(A).

Piling brush or yard trimmings so they emit noxious odors or become unsanitary violates Section 15-6-112(A), and Chapter 15-6's general penalty in Section 15-6-132 applies: a fine of $100 to $2,000 per day, doubled for a second conviction and tripled for a third within 24 months. The director may also simply decline to collect material that fails the compostable wood-or-fiber standard in Section 15-6-5(A)(3).

Illegal Dumping

Dumping refuse anywhere in Austin is a Class C misdemeanor. City Code Section 1-1-99 sets the fine at up to $2,000 per offense for sanitation violations that include dumping of refuse, and Code Compliance can also refer serious dumping for Texas criminal charges.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Section 1-1-99. Max city fine: $2,000 (dumping of refuse). Base offense: Class C misdemeanor. Enforcement: Austin Code Compliance. State statute: Health & Safety Code 365.012.

Illegal dumping is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,000 under the sanitation exception. Larger or hazardous dumps draw Texas charges up to a state jail felony, plus liability for cleanup costs.

Mandatory Organics Recycling

Austin's Universal Recycling ordinance layers a specific composting mandate on top of its general recycling rule. Section 15-6-91(A)(2) requires multifamily properties with five or more units to give tenants access to composting service starting October 1, 2024, and Section 15-6-91(E) separately requires any food enterprise holding a food permit to give employees access to on-site organics diversion.

Key details: Multifamily trigger: 5+ dwelling units, effective Oct 1, 2024. Food enterprise trigger: Any premises with a food permit. Required materials: Food scraps, soiled paper, BPI compostables. Governing ordinance: Ord. No. 20230921-004 (Sept 21, 2023). Annual plan deadline: February 1 to Austin Resource Recovery.

Failing to provide the required composting or organics access is enforced the same way as the rest of Chapter 15-6: a separate offense for each day under Section 15-6-132, with fines from $100 up to $2,000 that double on a second conviction and triple on a third within 24 months. Section 15-6-101 also requires an annual recycling and diversion plan filed with the department by February 1, and missing that filing is a separate compliance failure.

This is one of the stricter rules in Austin's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Bulk Item Disposal

Austin Resource Recovery provides curbside bulk item collection by appointment. Residents can schedule up to two free bulk pickups per year for large items like furniture, mattresses, and appliances. Additional pickups are available for a fee. Items must be placed at the curb on the scheduled date. Austin also operates the Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center for construction debris, tires, and other materials. Hazardous waste is accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste facility on Todd Lane.

Key details: Free Bulk Pickups: 2 per year by appointment. Accepted Items: Furniture, mattresses, appliances, large items. Additional Pickups: Available for a fee. Drop-off Center: Recycle and Reuse facility for construction debris. Hazardous Waste: Household Hazardous Waste facility on Todd Lane.

Unauthorized dumping of bulk items: $250–$1,000 fine. Items placed out too early: $50–$100 fine. Prohibited items left curbside: $100–$300 fine plus cleanup costs.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Austin Resource Recovery collects trash and composting weekly on the same day, with recycling every other week. Find your day with the My Schedule tool or the Austin Recycles app. Collection slides one day later for New Year's, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Key details: Collection frequency: Trash weekly; recycling biweekly. Find your day: austintexas.gov/myschedule or app. Holiday shift: Slides for 3 major holidays. Bulk pickup: On-demand, up to 3x yearly. Set-out time: By 5:30 a.m. collection day.

No monetary penalty specified; place carts at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.

Austin is more permissive than most cities when it comes to pickup rules & schedules. That said, there are still limits.

Recycling Requirements

Austin has a Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) adopted in 2012 requiring recycling and organics diversion for commercial properties, multifamily properties, and food-permitted establishments. The URO supports Austin's Zero Waste goal of diverting 90% of waste from landfills by 2040. All properties with trash service of 96 gallons or more per week must provide recycling. Food-permitted businesses must divert organics. Single-family homes receive single-stream recycling through Austin Resource Recovery.

Key details: Ordinance: Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO): 2012. Goal: Zero Waste: 90% diversion by 2040. Commercial: Recycling required for 96+ gallons/week trash service. Food Businesses: Organics diversion required. Residential: Single-stream recycling provided by ARR.

Repeated contamination of recycling bins may result in service warnings and eventual loss of recycling service. Illegal dumping of recyclables carries fines of $250–$1,000.

Compared to other cities, Austin takes a harder line on recycling requirements. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Austin is tougher than many cities when it comes to trash & recycling. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Austin, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Austin's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.