Trash & Recycling in Austin, TX: What Residents Actually Need to Know

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 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of trash & recycling, and some of them might surprise you.

Mandatory Organics Recycling

Austin City Code Chapter 15-6 (Universal Recycling Ordinance) requires food-permitted businesses to divert organic material from landfill via composting, donation, or other approved methods. Austin Resource Recovery enforces with annual diversion plans and audits citywide.

Key details: Code chapter: Austin Code Chapter 15-6. Covered: Food-permitted businesses. Diversion options: Compost, donate, on-site. Plan filing: Annual to ARR. Severity: Strict — daily fines.

Failure to file an annual diversion plan, missing employee education, or sending organics to landfill violates Chapter 15-6 with Class C misdemeanor citations and fines escalating up to two thousand dollars per day per violation through Austin Code Department.

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.

Yard Waste Collection

Austin Resource Recovery provides weekly curbside composting of yard trimmings combined with food scraps in the green cart. Branches must be bundled separately for monthly bulk brush pickup. Christmas trees are collected as part of curbside composting in January.

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Contaminating the compost cart with plastic or trash leads to a non-collection tag and a contamination fee on the next utility bill. Repeated violations can carry administrative penalties up to $500 under Austin City Code §15-6.

Bin Placement Rules

Austin Resource Recovery requires specific cart placement for collection. Carts must be placed at the curb with wheels against the curb, lids closed, and handles facing the house. Carts should be at least 3 feet apart from each other and 3 feet from mailboxes, cars, utility poles, and other obstacles. Carts must not block sidewalks, driveways, or bike lanes. Between collection days, carts must be stored behind the front building line or screened from street view.

Key details: Spacing: 3 feet apart from each other and obstacles. Orientation: Wheels against curb, handles facing house. Clearance: Not blocking sidewalks, driveways, or bike lanes. Storage: Behind front building line between collections. Lid Position: Must be fully closed for collection.

Bins stored in public view: warning, then $50–$100 fine. Bins placed too early or retrieved too late: $25–$75 fine. Contaminated recycling: warning, then service refusal.

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 provides weekly curbside collection for trash, recycling, and composting for single-family residences. Trash is collected weekly in the blue-lidded cart, recycling in the green-lidded cart, and compost in the orange-lidded cart. Collection schedules vary by neighborhood and can be found on the Austin Resource Recovery website or app. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:30 AM on collection day with lids closed and handles facing the house. Multifamily properties arrange private collection services.

Key details: Trash Collection: Weekly — blue-lidded cart. Recycling: Weekly — green-lidded cart (single-stream). Composting: Weekly — orange-lidded cart. Cart Placement: Curbside by 6:30 AM, lids closed, handles facing house. Provider: Austin Resource Recovery (city service).

Improper disposal (illegal dumping, prohibited items in regular trash) carries fines of $100–$1,000. Illegal dumping on public or private property is a misdemeanor with fines up to $5,000.

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 6 rules covered here, 2 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.