Understanding Austin’s Recycling Ordinance

Beginning in September 2009 a sub-committee of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission undertook the task of engaging community stakeholders to expand the city’s recycling ordinance to include all commercial and multi-family properties in the city’s jurisdiction.

The original ordinance applied to commercial properties with 100 or more employees who were required to recycle a minimum of 2 items and multi-family properties with 100 or more units to provide recycling for a minimum of 4 items.

In November 2010, the Austin City Council voted 7-0 to accept staff recommendations to expand the recycling ordinance as follows (major revisions listed):

• Amend the current ordinance to include all commercial and multifamily properties within four years beginning October 1, 2012 (in a graduated manner) based upon square footage for commercial entities and number of living units for multi-family properties.

Phase 1: Includes all multi-family properties (including condominiums) and commercial non-residential office and institutional properties such as day cares, religious buildings, medical facilities, and private educational facilities.

Phase 2: Includes the food service industry (restaurants, grocers, catering, etc), retail and manufacturing/industrial. Phase 2 discussions will resume in the fall of 2010 and will include composting food waste. Staff anticipates returning to Council in summer 2011 with recommendations.

• Inclusion of multi-family properties with fewer than 25 units and commercial properties with less than 25,000 square feet is dependent upon the City of Austin’s ability to provide single stream recycling collection services to these properties.

• For commercial non-residential and multi-family properties, minimum materials would include paper, plastic container grades 1 (PETE) and 2 (HDPE), corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, and glass.

Compliance is as easy as calling Balcones to set up a recycling account. We will assess your material and volume, and then we will recommend the appropriate container and service schedule for your unique business. Once service is in place, monthly generated reports will satisfy the requirements of the ordinance.

Looking for more information?

Balcones Resources has developed a wealth of information over the years and we’d love to share. You can find what you’re looking for according to your type of business, or by service. Or you can contact us and we’ll show you the way.