Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Austin
Trash Day
Curbside trash is collected weekly, Monday through Friday, based on your neighborhood collection route.
Recycling
Every other week on the same day as your trash collection (following an alternating Week A or Week B schedule).
Yard Waste
Weekly on the same day as your trash collection (via the green curbside composting cart).
Set Out Time
By 5:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and compost fees are bundled into your monthly City of Austin combined utility bill, and rates vary based on your selected trash cart size.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
The Customer Assistance Program (CAP) offers monthly utility discounts, tiered rate reductions, and customer charge waivers for eligible low-income and medically vulnerable residents.
Brown Cart Bin (Trash)
Bag and tie all trash to protect crew health. The cart lid must be completely closed. Place at the curb by 5:30 a.m. (or after 8 p.m. the night before) with at least five feet of clearance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Animal waste (double-bagged)
- ✓Cooled ashes and sawdust (bagged)
- ✓Broken glass (boxed/wrapped and labeled)
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Collected biweekly on an A/B schedule. Do not bag recyclables; place items loose in the cart. Extra recycling that doesn't fit can be placed next to the cart in a reusable container or open cardboard box.
Accepted Items
- ✓Empty plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs
- ✓Clean cardboard boxes (broken down)
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, textiles)
- ✕Medical waste
Yard Waste Bin
Green cart collected weekly. No plastics, liquids, rocks, soil, or treated wood. Keep the lid closed. Excess yard trimmings can go in lawn-and-leaf paper bags next to the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, vegetables)
- ✓Yard trimmings (grass, leaves, small branches)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, coffee filters)
- ✓Untreated wood and popsicle sticks
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (Up to 3 times per calendar year)
Placement
Place items by 5:30 a.m. on the appointment date. Separate items into metal, non-metal, and tire piles. Keep 5 feet away from carts, mailboxes, fences, and parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Passenger car tires (limit 8, rims removed)
- ✓ Metal items and rigid plastics
Not Accepted
- ✕ Bags and boxes (treated as extra trash)
- ✕ Commercial truck or tractor tires
- ✕ Items placed in an alley or under low power lines
The three annual collections are included in your standard ARR service fees. Extra unstickered trash bags left near bulk items will incur a $10.20 charge per bag.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Austin uses a 'slide' schedule for major holidays. If your collection day falls on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day—or falls after the holiday in that same week—your pickup will slide one day later (e.g., Thursday moves to Friday, Friday to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Composting, recycling, and on-demand pickups follow the exact same holiday slide protocol as standard garbage service.
ARR collection crews work regular schedules on all other holidays, including Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. Your service will not be delayed on those days.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
May - SeptemberDue to extreme Central Texas summer heat, Austin Resource Recovery routes often begin an hour earlier to protect workers. To avoid a missed pickup, it is strongly recommended that you set your carts at the curb after 8:00 p.m. the night before your collection day.
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring severe winter ice storms, ARR may delay or suspend garbage collection if local roads become unsafe for heavy trucks. Check the Austin Recycles app or the My Schedule portal for real-time weather disruption alerts and rescheduled dates.
Spring/Autumn
March - May, October - NovemberSeasonal yard cleanup generates large amounts of brush. If you have branches too big for the green cart, schedule one of your three annual on-demand brush collections. Ensure branches are between 5 and 15 feet long and stacked loosely with cut ends facing the street.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Texas Trash into Treasure: Where to Cash In?
Hey Austin neighbors! Did you know you can actually get a few bucks back for certain recyclables? While Texas doesn't have a statewide bottle/can redemption program like some states, keep an eye out for local scrap metal yards. Places like Texas Scrap & Salvage in Austin are often looking for items like aluminum, copper, and steel. You can also check with local recycling centers; some might offer small rebates for clean, sorted materials. It's a great way to lighten your load and your wallet at the same time!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in ATX
Before you toss that armchair or those hardly-worn clothes, think about giving them a new home! Austin has some fantastic places that would love your donations. Goodwill of Central Texas has multiple locations where they accept clothing, household goods, and furniture. For building materials, furniture, and home decor, the Habitat for Humanity ReStores are a win-win – you declutter, and your contribution helps build homes for families in need. Consider checking out local thrift shops too; many are run by community organizations and would be thrilled to receive your usable items.
Keeping Austin Beautiful: Reporting Dumps & Joining the Clean-Up Crew
Nobody likes seeing trash pile up where it shouldn't. If you spot illegal dumping in Austin, the city wants to know! You can report it through Austin 311. They have an online portal and a phone number to make it easy. Plus, Austin is big on community spirit! Keep an eye on local event listings for neighborhood clean-up days or volunteer opportunities with organizations focused on beautifying our green spaces. It's a fantastic way to meet your neighbors and make a real difference right here in our city.
Drop-off Facilities
Austin Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center
2514 Business Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does bulk trash pickup work in Austin in 2026?
Austin now uses an on-demand system for bulk, brush, and household hazardous waste. You can schedule up to three collections per calendar year for each category. Use the Austin Recycles app or call 3-1-1 to set an appointment and place your items out by 5:30 a.m. on your scheduled date.
What happens to my trash schedule on Labor Day or the 4th of July?
Unlike many municipalities, Austin Resource Recovery runs normal routes on Labor Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. The only holidays that cause a one-day service delay are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Can I leave extra bags of trash next to my brown cart?
Yes, but you must attach a $5 'Extra Trash Sticker' (available at local grocery stores) to each bag. If you set out an unstickered bag, ARR will still collect it, but a $10.20 charge per bag will be added to your utility bill.
What goes in Austin's green compost cart?
The green cart accepts all food scraps, yard trimmings, and food-soiled paper (like pizza boxes, paper towels, and coffee filters). A helpful rule to remember is 'If it grows, it goes.' Make sure to never include plastic bags, liquids, glass, or metals.