Storm Debris Removal

Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) is still collecting storm debris from last week's microburst and has hired contractors to work alongside its staff, to speed up these efforts. Ten crews have been collecting debris seven days a week. Customers should call Austin 3-1-1 to request collection of large branches and limbs that were downed by the storm. ARR customers who have already requested storm debris collection through 3-1-1 do not need to call again. ARR uses different equipment to collect limbs of different sizes so material that is left behind may be collected by another vehicle. We will be by soon to pick it up. 

Storm debris drop off

Austin and Travis County residents can drop off storm debris  (large tree limbs, small and large branches, shrubs and leaves) for free at Austin Water's Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant. Visit austintexas.gov/BrushDropOff for drop-off details.

Storm debris collection

Small branches for collection

If your branches are no longer than 5 feet and no thicker than 3 inches in diameter, they are small branches and can be set out with your weekly composting collection.

Set out process and guidelines

• Place small branches and yard trimmings into the green composting cart and make sure the lid fully closes.
• Excess material can be placed in lawn and leaf bags or a reusable container and set out beside the cart on the next scheduled collection day.
• Small branches (no longer than five feet and no thicker than three inches in diameter) that do not fit into the green cart with the lid closed should be stacked into manageable piles no heavier than 30 pounds and placed beside the cart.

Typically, ARR will collect the contents of your green cart and up to 15 extra items placed beside the cart, but item limits will be temporarily waived for customers who need storm debris collected. 

Large branches and tree limbs for collection

ARR customers can call 3-1-1 to request a collection of down tree limbs due to the severe weather. ARR crews will assess and collect them as soon as possible. Please have the limbs at the curb ready for collection.

Set-out guidelines

• Large brush, branches and tree limbs should be between 5 and 15 feet in length. If longer than 15 feet, they must be cut down.
• Place large brush at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on your appointment date.
• Stack the brush loosely in one row along the curb, no more than 15 feet across and no higher than 4 feet, with cut ends facing the street.
• Tree trunks more than 8 inches in diameter should be 3 feet long or less.
• Do not block the sidewalk or extend piles into the street.
• Keep items 5 feet away from your carts, mailbox, fences or walls, water meter, telephone connection box, fire hydrants and parked cars. Do not place any items under low-hanging tree limbs or power lines.
• Items will not be collected if they are in an alley, in front of a vacant lot or in front of a business.

The Austin Recycles App is the easiest and fastest way to get important alerts and reminders about your City of Austin trash, recycling and composting services. 

Winter Storm Mara

More than 170,000 tons of storm debris were collected from Winter Storm Mara in 2023. That's enough to fill Q2 stadium four times! Austin Resource Recovery's Winter Storm Mara After Action Report describes the events related to Austin Resource Recovery’s emergency response to Winter Storm Mara and identifies the unique issues and challenges faced throughout the overall response to help plan for the future. View the City of Austin's full report.