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San Marcos, TX Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Program type
Single-stream, city-contracted
Who's covered
All residential + multifamily units
Billing
Separate monthly charge, § 66.028
Contamination rule
Director-approved materials only

Summary

San Marcos provides single-stream curbside recycling to every residential and multifamily unit through its contract solid waste service, billed alongside garbage collection.

(b)Recycling center services will be made available by the city's contract recycling center operator to all residential and multifamily units for which city-contracted solid waste, single-stream recycling service or any city utility service is provided. (c)Single-stream recycling services will be provided by the city's contract solid waste service to: (1)Residential units. (2)Multifamily units.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).

Full Breakdown

Under City Code § 66.026, the city's contract solid waste service provides single-stream recycling to all residential units and multifamily units, and contract recycling center services are made available to any unit receiving city solid waste, recycling, or utility service. Service is bundled with garbage collection rather than opt-in: § 66.028 sets a separate monthly charge for single-stream recycling service and for recycling center services, billed to whoever is billed for other city utilities at the premises, and a dwelling is deemed "occupied" and charged for service if it receives any city utility, even if solid waste or recycling service itself isn't separately requested.

Violations & Fines

No criminal penalty attaches to a resident who skips recycling; the monthly recycling-service charge under § 66.028 is assessed on the dwelling unit regardless of participation. Only director-approved recyclable materials may go in recycling containers per § 66.030(f).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can San Marcos residents opt out of paying for recycling?
No. § 66.028(e) charges a dwelling unit for service whenever the unit receives any city utility service, regardless of actual use.
What can go in the recycling cart?
Only recyclable materials approved by the city's director may be placed in recycling containers, per § 66.030(f).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Marcos

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesLight RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSignificant Restrictions

All San Marcos rules

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