Austin has a goal of reaching zero waste by 2040. This means reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills by 90%. Residents of multifamily properties (apartments, dorms, condos, assisted living facilities and nursing homes) can help by reducing the trash you create, recycling, composting, and reusing or donating items.
Multifamily properties are required to provide their residents with convenient access to recycling collection. Additionally, as of Oct. 1, 2024, properties are required to provide composting collection. Learn more about apartment and condominium composting.
What can be recycled?
- Paper
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- Glossy paper
- Junk mail
- Envelopes
- Home office paper
- Paper bags
- Magazines
- Cardboard
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- Cardboard boxes
- Cereal boxes
- Shoe boxes
- Soda boxes
- Paper towel rolls
- Toilet paper rolls
Cardboard boxes must be broken down.
- Hard plastic
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- Water bottles
- Soda bottles
- Plastic milk jugs
- Jars and tubs
- Detergent bottles
- Glass
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- Glass jars
- Glass bottles
- Metal
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- Aluminum foil baking pans
- Food cans
- Soda cans
- Steel and tin cans
- Keep these items out of your recycling bin
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- Batteries
- Electronics
- Styrofoam
- Waxy paper
- Food-soiled paper
- Plastic bags
Keep trash out of the recycling to avoid contamination.
Use our “What Do I Do With...?” tool to learn where to dispose of an item.
Talk to your property manager if recycling services in your community could improve. This includes more signs, recycling carts or resident education.
What other actions help Austin reach zero waste?
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Use the composting collection service provided by your property
Effective October 1, 2024 multifamily properties with five or more units are required to provide residents with convenient access to commercial composting collection. If composting collection is not available at your property, ask your property manager when they will begin service. -
Lead zero waste efforts in your community
Become a Zero Waste Block Leader to help your apartment or condo community lead the way in reusing, recycling and composting. -
Reuse or donate items
Use the Austin Reuse Directory to learn where to donate, resell, rent and repair items. -
Drop off hard-to-recycle or hazardous materials
Take batteries, electronics, plastic bags, Styrofoam, paint and other hard-to-recycle items to Austin’s Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center. Appointments are required. The service is free for Austin and Travis County residents.