The Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) supports Austin’s Zero Waste goal. The ordinance requires:
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commercial property owners to ensure that tenants and employees have access to recycling.
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food-permitted businesses to ensure that employees have convenient access to diversion methods that keep organic materials (like food scraps) out of landfills.
The property owner or business manager is responsible for meeting the recycling (and/or organics) requirements and to fill out a recycling (and/or organics) plan every year, starting October 1. Violations of the URO (Austin City Code Chapter 15-6) are a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $2,000 per day, per offense.