Austin
Recycling Guidelines
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection
PLASTIC
Look for plastic items labeled #1 - #5. Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers.
- Beverage bottles
- Hard plastic (water/soda bottles, jars/tubs, non-battery toys, buckets/baskets, lawn chairs)
- Spray bottles
- Milk jugs
- Detergent bottles
- Soap and shampoo bottles
- Food tubs (margarine, yogurt, etc.…)
Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers
Plastic, single-serve to-go containers with no food residue
METAL
- Beverage cans
- Baking tins and trays
- Food cans
- Foil
- Empty metal containers
Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans
PAPER
Look for Paper items
- Newspaper
- Office paper
- Junk mail
- Wrapping paper
- Catalogs
- Envelopes
- Greeting cards
- Cereal boxes
- Shoe boxes
- Gift boxes
- Beverage containers
- Food packaging (microwave meals, macaroni & cheese, etc.)
- Paper towel rolls
- Moving boxes
Paper can be recycled up to seven times, depending on the quality
Cardboard tubes from wrapping or toilet paper rolls
GLASS
Look for glass food jars and drink bottles
- Beverage bottles
- Food jars
Bottles and jars (remove lids or caps)
Clean and dry your glass bottles
Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection
Doorstep Recycling Collection
Place acceptable recyclables in a securely tied, see-thru bag, separate from your trash and place in your bin, outside your front door with your scheduled trash collection.
When in Doubt – Toss it Out
Please do not place any unacceptable items in communal recycling containers or in your household recycling bags. Remember, if recycling contains “contaminants” (non-recyclable items or containers not properly cleaned), the whole batch may be rejected and sent to a land fill. When in doubt – best to toss it out!
What can NOT be recycled
- Plastic film and bags
- Styrofoam
- Water hoses
- Textiles
- Wood
- Medical waste (E.g., syringes and sharp containers)
- Pizza boxes
- Hangers
- Cords
- Clothing
- Food
- Fabric
- Paper cups and plates
- Napkins and paper towels
- Plastic wrap
- Candy wrappers
- Chip bags
- Scrap metal
- Glassware
- Glass cookware
- Ceramics
- Windows
- Mirrors
- Glass recycling varies by community. Contact your leasing office for more information
Recycle Collection Tips
- Sell or Donate Unwanted furniture
- Avoid putting mattresses, furniture or appliances by trash dumpsters
- Flatten boxes
- Before placing into recycling containers
- Search (AustinReuseDirectory.com)
- Locate more than 100 drop-off sites or call for pick-up services where available
- Find new homes for unwanted furniture, mattresses, appliances, clothing, electronics and more
- Add a recycling bin in every room
- Must include on recycling flyer, where recycling containers are located on the property
- Recycle shampoo bottles, toothpaste boxes and empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls
Multifamily-specific highlights. Check with your municipality for the latest guidelines.
By Oct. 1, 2017, all communities will be required to provide recycling services to their residents and employees
- Required to ensure residents and employees have access to convenient recycling
- Provide recycling for plastics #1 & #2, paper, cardboard, glass, and aluminum
- Recycling service capacity must be greater than or equal to 6.4 gallons per dwelling per week
- All signs must indicate recyclable materials accepted, use graphic illustrations, and include both English and Spanish
- Annual Education: Educate new employees and residents within 30 days of hire or move-in and annually after that
- Must submit an annual diversion plan (Recycling Plan); submit online each year between October 1 and February 1
- Make sure recycling capacity is equal to or larger than your total on-site trash capacity. Recycling capacity can include single-stream dumpster services as well as any other diversion activities (reuse, repurpose, recycled, back-hauled, crapped, donated, or baled).
- Must provide annual education to both employees and residents
- Post informational, bilingual signs (Spanish and English) on or near organics diversion stations or containers
- Ensure employees have convenient access to methods of keeping food scraps and other organic material out of landfills
- Organic Materials Include:
- Food
- Food scraps
- Paper towels and napkins
- Food soiled paper, cardboard or wax board
- Landscape trimmings
- Floral Decor
Learn more about recycling in your city.
- http://www.austintexas.gov/uro
- Sign Maker Link: (This link allows you to create your own recycling flyers and labels)
http://www.austintexas.gov/signmaker - Recycling Plan Link: (This link allows you to create your annual recycling plan)
http://www.austintexas.gov/department/universal-recycling-ordinance-uro - Austin Resource Recovery (Administrative Rules):
http://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/15-6_Administrative-Rules_06-14-2014.pdf - What We Can Recycle Guide for Apartments:
http://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Resource_Recovery/ARR_Apt_Sorting_Guide_2018_FINAL.pdf - What do I do if Link: (This link is a search engine for when you are not sure what to do with a material you would like to recycle)
http://www.austintexas.gov/what-do-i-do - Downtown Austin Recycling:
http://www.austintexas.gov/department/downtown-austin-recycling-trash-litter-control-services
For more information, please contact:
[email protected]
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767 Phone: 512-974-9727
This information is not your official community or municipality guidelines. Recycling mandates may change based on the local processing capabilities and shifting markets. Contact your leasing office or local recycling agency to learn more or use the links under the “Recycling Resources"
