Austin, TX Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- 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
Summary
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.
The Universal Recycling Ordinance supports Austin's zero waste goal. The ordinance requires: Commercial business owners and multifamily properties to ensure that all commercial tenants, multifamily residents and employees have access to recycling. Food-permitted businesses to ensure that all employees have convenient access to diversion methods that keep organic materials out of landfills. Organic material can include unused food, food scraps and food-soiled paper. The property owner or business manager is responsible for meeting the recycling (and/or organics) requirements and to fill out a recycling (and/or organics) plan every year. Violations of the URO (Austin City Code Chapter 15-6) are a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $2,000 per day, per offense. Learn more about the ordinance requirements for your business or property and submit your plan every year between October 1 and February 1.
Full Breakdown
Austin's recycling program for city limits accepts single-stream recyclables including paper, cardboard, plastics #1 through #5, glass bottles and jars, and aluminum and steel cans. Recyclables should be clean, dry, and loose (not bagged) in the recycling cart. Contamination with food waste, plastic bags, styrofoam, or non-recyclable plastics may result in the hauler refusing to collect the bin. Texas state recycling goals may set diversion targets that influence local programs. The county may offer additional programs for composting, electronics recycling, and textile recovery. Check the Austin solid waste department website for accepted materials lists and special collection events.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling mandatory in Austin?
What is Austin's Zero Waste goal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Austin
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Austin to another location·View the Texas trash & recycling overview
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Travis County handle recycling requirements.