Fort Worth, TX Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- State recycling goal cited
- 40%
- Recyclables accepted only in
- city-issued recycling cart
- Paper accepted
- cardboard, newspaper, magazines, office paper
- Metals accepted
- aluminum/steel cans, empty aerosol cans
- Plastics accepted
- #1-#7 bottles, cups, jars, trays
- Director authority
- may add/remove materials as markets change
Summary
Fort Worth runs its curbside recycling program to help meet the state-mandated 40% recycling goal under City Code § 12.5-824. Recyclables must go only in city-issued recycling carts, and only approved paper, metal, glass and #1-7 plastic items qualify; the director can add or drop accepted materials as recycling markets change.
(a) In order to help the city achieve its state-mandated recycling goal of 40%, in order to reduce the amount of material deposited in the city's landfill and thereby extend the life of such landfill, and in order to reduce the amount of virgin materials being used in manufacturing, the city strongly encourages its citizens to participate in the city's household recycling program. (b) Recyclables shall be placed for city household collection service only in recycling carts provided by the city. (c) Except as provided by subsection (d) below, the following materials may be placed in recycling carts for collection: ... (4) Plastics. a. Bottles, cups and jars with the #1 through #7 recycling symbols on them; b. Food trays, tubs and bowls with the #1 through #7 recycling symbols on them; and c. Plastic eating utensils.
Full Breakdown
Section 12.5-824(a) frames the program around helping the city hit a state-mandated 40% recycling goal, extend landfill life and cut virgin-material use, and "strongly encourages" resident participation rather than mandating it. Recyclables must go only in city-supplied recycling carts. Accepted materials in subsection (c) include paper items like cardboard, newspapers, magazines and office paper; metals such as aluminum drink cans, steel or tin food cans and empty aerosol cans; glass and ceramic bottles, jars, dishes and windowpanes; and plastic bottles, cups, jars, trays and utensils marked with the #1 through #7 recycling symbol. Subsection (d) excludes items like aluminum foil, drink boxes, hardcover books, light bulbs, plastic grocery sacks, pizza boxes, polystyrene foam, garbage and yard trimmings from the cart. Subsections (e)-(f) let the director add or remove accepted materials and adjust preparation rules as recycling markets shift, without a new ordinance being required.
Violations & Fines
Section 12.5-824(j) makes it an offense to place prohibited material in a recycling cart for collection, or to allow prohibited material placed for collection to remain on property under your control. A separate offense in subsection (g)-(k) bars anyone from removing or scavenging recyclables from a cart placed at the curb that isn't theirs, with exceptions for the household that set it out and the city's own collector.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling mandatory in Fort Worth?
What plastics can go in my Fort Worth recycling cart?
Can I put pizza boxes or foam cups in recycling?
Does Fort Worth ever change what it accepts for recycling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Worth
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Fort Worth to another location·View the Texas trash & recycling overview
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle recycling requirements.