The City of Austin has released a set of guidelines to help residents recycle more effectively in recognition of America Recycles Day. The recommendations are designed to support the city’s ongoing efforts toward achieving zero waste.
One suggestion is for residents to use the “What Do I Do With…” tool, which provides information on whether specific items can be recycled and how they should be handled. This resource aims to reduce confusion about proper recycling practices.
Another tip emphasizes that recyclables should not be placed in plastic bags before being put into the blue recycling cart. According to city guidance, “Plastic bags can get tangled in and damage recycling equipment. If recyclables are bagged, facility staff might not be able to see what’s inside. This may lead to the entire bag and its contents being sent to the landfill. To avoid this, place your recyclables loosely in the blue cart.” The city notes that while plastic bags themselves cannot go into the blue cart, there are other options for recycling them.
Residents are also reminded that certain materials—such as plastic bags, Styrofoam, batteries, and electronics—are considered contaminants if placed in the blue cart because they can damage equipment or end up in landfills. However, alternative recycling methods exist for these items.
The city encourages giving unwanted items a second life by donating or repairing them rather than discarding them. Local resale or repair shops can be found through the Austin Reuse Directory.
To further reduce waste, people are advised to avoid single-use plastics by opting for reusable alternatives like silverware and shopping bags made from durable materials such as aluminum or silicone.
Proper preparation of recyclable materials is also important; flattening clean cardboard boxes makes processing easier for collection crews and prevents carts from filling up too quickly.
Finally, food and drink cartons as well as coated paper products are now accepted in Austin’s curbside recycling program. Residents should rinse these containers, leave caps on, and place them directly into their blue carts.
“By following these tips, you’re helping Austin move toward its goal of zero waste. For full recycling guidelines, visit AustinTexas.gov/Recycling. Thanks for keeping Austin sustainable, not just on America Recycles Day, but every day,” according to city officials.
