Austin City Code §15-6-91 mandates single-stream recycling for all residences and commercial properties (Universal Recycling Ordinance). Unincorporated Travis County has no recycling mandate; residents recycle voluntarily through private haulers.
Austin Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) requires all multifamily and commercial properties to provide tenant-accessible recycling and submit annual diversion reports. Acceptable single-stream items include paper, cardboard, glass, metals, and plastics #1-5 and #7. Plastic bags, styrofoam, and food waste are excluded from curbside recycling. Austin also provides curbside compost collection for organic waste. Outside Austin, recycling participation is optional and depends on the private hauler contract. Texas has no statewide recycling mandate.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Travis County's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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