Central Business District Collection Services
Trash, recycling and composting in the Central Business District
To reduce truck traffic downtown and help Austin achieve its zero waste goal, the City of Austin manages a contract for commercial collection of trash, recycling and composting within the Central Business District. Austin City Council requires these collection services be provided to all properties in this district, per Ordinance 20051020-063. In addition, the City provides litter abatement services and nightly street sweeping in the Central Business District.
Service details
(Monthly rates effective July 1, 2026.)
Commercial properties
Base rate: $32.35
Volume charge for collection services: $38.95 per cubic yard (includes trash, recycling and composting)
Clean Community Fee: $12.85
Residential Properties
Base rate: $32.35
Collection services fee: $29.40 per residential unit (includes trash, recycling and composting)
Clean Community Fee: $5.45 per residential unit
Trash is collected daily in the Central Business District.
Recycling is collected up to four days per week, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Composting: Effective July 2026, composting is collected at least twice a week. Collection frequency will be monitored and adjusted as needed.
Holiday slide days: Your collection day slides to one day later if it falls on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day (or if it falls after these days in the same week)
For more information on the collection schedule for your property, contact 3-1-1.
Trash, recycling and composting dumpsters are now secured with locking lids to help prevent contamination and illegal dumping. Please use the provided locks. Contact 3-1-1 with questions.
For billing or fee questions, Central Business District customers should call City of Austin Utilities at 512-494-9400 or email aecommercial@austinenergy.com.
Call 3-1-1 or email Austin311@austintexas.gov for all other questions, including:
Collection schedules and missed collections
Alley cleanliness
Equipment issues with locks or dumpsters
What can be composted or recycled
Composting education
Acceptable items for commercial composting collection in the Central Business District include:
Food scraps such as fruits, vegetables, bones, bread, dairy, meat, seafood and coffee grounds.
Food-soiled paper such as cardboard, pizza boxes, paper towels, napkins, tissues, newspaper, coffee filters, paper bags and 100% paper plates, cups and take-out containers.
Certified compostable products such as bags, cups, forks, plates and spoons.
Plant material such as flowers, grass clippings, leaves, plants and small branches.
Contamination items that should never be put into composting include: animal waste, glass, liquids, labels and stickers, plastic and plastic bags, twist ties and metal, waxy paper and Styrofoam.
Composting tips to help prevent odors and pests:
Sprinkle your compostable materials with baking soda.
Collect your food scraps and other compostable items in a paper or certified compostable bag.
Store the bag in a reusable container with a tight-fitting lid, and keep the lid closed.
Refrigerate or freeze your compostables until collection day.
Regularly empty and wash your reusable container.
Information is available to help Central Business District property owners and managers educate their employees and residents on composting:
Watch and share this video on composting "What can I compost?"
Watch and share this video about reducing the risk of compost contamination.
Share this webpage about recycling and composting for apartment and condominium residents for more information on composting and zero waste in apartments.
Free flyers are available to print and display:
Recycling education
Acceptable items for recycling collection in the Central Business District include:
Flattened cardboard
Paper–mixed, office and coated (including cartons)
Aluminum and steel cans and foil
Hard plastics
Glass bottles and jars
Tips to increase recycling and decrease contamination:
Recyclables should be loose and dry. Never throw out recyclables in plastic bags.
Drain bottles, jars, cans and other containers.
Rinse off food residue.
Flatten all boxes.
Do not put these items in recycling—put them in landfill trash unless your facility has a special collection process! Shredded paper, stretchy plastics, plastic utensils and straws, Styrofoam and medical waste.
Information is available to help Central Business District property owners and managers educate their employees and residents on single-stream recycling:
Share this webpage about recycling and composting for apartment and condominium residents for more information on composting and zero waste in apartments.
Free flyers are available to print and display: