Austin Trash Schedule: The Essential Guide To Managing Your Trash Collection!

Stay on top of your trash disposal and keep Austin clean with our comprehensive guide to the city’s trash schedule. Learn everything you need to know about collection days, accepted items, and special waste disposal options.

1. Trash Collection Days: Know Your Schedule

To ensure timely trash removal, it’s crucial to align your disposal habits with Austin’s established collection schedule. The city follows a color-coded system, assigning specific collection days to different neighborhoods based on their geographic location.

• Green Collection Day: Monday

Areas designated with green collection days include:

Central Austin

North Austin

West Austin

• Blue Collection Day: Tuesday

Blue collection days apply to neighborhoods in:

South Austin

East Austin

Southeast Austin

• Yellow Collection Day: Wednesday

If your neighborhood is marked with yellow collection days, it includes:

Far South Austin

Far Southwest Austin

Far East Austin

To find your exact collection day, visit Austin’s official trash and recycling website and enter your address.

2. Acceptable Trash Items: What Goes in the Bin?

Not everything can be tossed into your regular trash bin. To ensure proper disposal and avoid contamination, familiarize yourself with Austin’s guidelines for acceptable trash items.

• General Household Trash:

Food waste (excluding liquids)

Paper products (newspapers, magazines)

Cardboard (flattened and broken down)

Plastic bags and film

Metal cans and aluminum foil

Remember to remove any food residue from items before disposal to prevent attracting pests and odors.

3. What NOT to Put in the Trash: Excluded Items

Certain items pose hazards or environmental risks and should not be disposed of in your regular trash bin. Austin has specific regulations regarding the disposal of these excluded items:

• Electronics (e-waste):

Computers, TVs, cell phones

Dispose of e-waste at designated drop-off locations.

• Batteries:

Car batteries, household batteries

Recycle batteries at participating retailers or collection sites.

• Hazardous Waste:

Chemicals, paints, cleaning solutions

Contact your local hazardous waste facility for proper disposal.

• Medical Waste:

Needles, syringes, medical equipment

Dispose of medical waste at designated medical waste disposal sites.

• Yard Waste:

Grass clippings, leaves, branches

Subscribe to the city’s yard waste collection service or compost yard waste at home.

4. Bulk Trash Collection: Large Item Removal

When you need to discard bulky items like furniture, appliances, or mattresses, Austin’s bulk trash collection service has you covered.

• Schedule a Bulk Trash Pickup:

Call 3-1-1 or visit the city’s website to schedule a pickup time.

• Prepare for Pickup:

Place bulk items curbside by 7 am on your designated collection day.

Separate bulky items into piles:

• Furniture
• Appliances
• Mattresses

Limit each pile to a maximum of 6 items.

5. Brush and Tree Limb Collection: Yard Waste Disposal

Keep your yard tidy and contribute to Austin’s environmental well-being by properly disposing of brush and tree limbs. The city offers convenient collection services to handle these yard waste items.

• Brush and Tree Limb Collection Guidelines:

Place loose brush and bundled tree limbs (4 feet or less in length and 18 inches in diameter) curbside by 7 am on your designated collection day.

Keep piles separate from regular trash and recyclables.

Limit each pile to a maximum of 15 cubic yards.

6. Recycling in Austin: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Austin is committed to sustainable waste management, and recycling plays a vital role in achieving this goal. The city provides comprehensive recycling services to help residents reduce their environmental footprint.

• Curbside Recycling Program:

Blue recycling bins are provided to all eligible households.

Accepted recyclables include:

• Paper (newspapers, magazines, cardboard)
• Plastic bottles and jugs
• Metal cans and aluminum foil

Rinse out containers and flatten cardboard before placing them in the recycling bin.

7. Compost Collection: Turn Food Scraps into Garden Gold

Composting is an excellent way to recycle organic waste and create nutrient-rich compost for your garden. Austin offers a convenient compost collection service to help residents reduce their landfill contributions.

• Compost Collection Guidelines:

Subscribe to the city’s compost collection service.

Use designated green compost bins to collect food scraps, yard waste, and paper products.

Keep compost bins covered and aerated to maintain proper decomposition.

8. Special Waste Disposal: Handling Unusual Items Safely

Some waste items require specialized disposal methods to ensure safety and environmental protection. Austin provides various options for handling these special waste items.

• Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off:

Dispose of household hazardous waste (e.g., chemicals, paints, cleaning solutions) at designated drop-off locations.

Check the city’s website for event dates and locations.

• Used Oil and Filter Recycling:

Recycle used motor oil and oil filters at participating auto parts stores or service stations.

• Tire Disposal:

Dispose of old tires at tire retailers or designated tire recycling facilities.

Fees may apply for tire disposal.

9. Landfill Disposal: Last Resort for Waste Management

Landfills are the final destination for waste that cannot be recycled, composted, or otherwise diverted from disposal. While convenient, landfill disposal should be considered a last resort to minimize environmental impact.

• Landfill Locations and Fees:

Austin operates several landfills throughout the city.

Fees vary depending on the type and quantity of waste disposed of.

Check the city’s website for landfill locations and fee schedules.

10. Sustainable Waste Management: Beyond Trash Disposal

Managing waste responsibly goes beyond simply following collection schedules. Embracing sustainable waste management practices can significantly reduce our environmental footprint and create a cleaner, healthier Austin.

• Reduce Consumption:

Choose reusable items over single-use products.

Buy eco-friendly alternatives with less packaging.

• Reuse and Repair:

Repurpose items instead of discarding them.

Repair broken items whenever possible.

• Compost and Recycle:

Compost organic waste to reduce landfill contributions.

Recycle all eligible materials to conserve resources.

11. Illegal Dumping: Consequences and Reporting

Illegal dumping is a serious offense that damages the environment and poses a threat to public health. Austin has strict penalties in place to deter illegal dumping and keep the city clean.

• Penalties for Illegal Dumping:

Fines ranging from $500 to $2,000

Jail time in severe cases

• Reporting Illegal Dumping:

Call 3-1-1 or use the city’s mobile app to report illegal dumping.

Provide details about the location, type of waste, and any identifying information.

12. Zero Waste Goal: Austin’s Commitment to Sustainability

Austin has set an ambitious goal of becoming a zero waste city by 2040. This means diverting 90% of all waste from landfills through a combination of waste reduction, recycling, composting, and other sustainable practices.

• Zero Waste Initiatives:

Expanding recycling and composting programs

Promoting zero waste education and awareness

Collaborating with businesses and organizations to reduce waste

13. Waste Reduction Tips: Everyday Actions for Sustainability

Reducing waste is not just a responsibility but also