Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO)

The Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO), approved by the Austin City Council on November 4, 2010 and amended on April 25, 2013, is intended to increase the life of local landfills, reduce harmful environmental impacts and boost economic development.

The URO requires affected property owners to ensure that residents, tenants, customers and employees have convenient access to recycling.

Specifically, the ordinance requires affected property owners to ensure:

Recycling for five materials at a minimum
Sufficient collection-container capacity for multi-family and commercial properties
Informational signage in English and Spanish
Regular tenant and employee education
Annual Recycling Plans and record keeping

In September 2012, City Council approved Administrative Rules for the ordinance. The rules include specific recycling standards, exemptions and reporting requirements. They also provide a process for submitting a recycling plan as well as applying for a waiver request.

A collaborative stakeholder process will be held to amend Administrative Rules related to the April 25, 2013 Universal Recycling Ordinance expansion. This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to have their voices heard! For more information and to get involved: Universal Recycling Ordinance Phase 2.

Affected Properties

Your facility is subject to the URO beginning:	If your multi-family property has more than	If your office or institution exceeds	If your food service, retail manufacturing or industrial exceeds	Compostable materials from food service businesses*
10/1/2012	75 dwelling units	100,000 sq. ft.
10/1/2013	50 dwelling units	75,000 sq. ft.
10/1/2014	25 dwelling units	50,000 sq. ft.	50,000 sq. ft.
10/1/2015	10 dwelling units	25,000 sq. ft.	25,000 sq. ft.
10/1/2016	All	5,000 sq. ft.	5,000 sq. ft.	5,000 sq. ft.
10/1/2017		All	All	All

* Food service - establishment that serves non-prepackaged food and is required to hold a food permit such as restaurant, food processor, cerified farmers' market, or licensed food preparation facility.

Affected multifamily properties include: