Special events within the City of Austin are required to submit waste management information as part of the Special Events Ordinance. Get information about obtaining a special event permit.
Keep material out of the landfill
Before the Event
- Check with your event venue about on-site recycling and waste management.
- Plan for the types of waste your event may generate.
- Talk with vendors about how to meet the ordinance requirements.
- Arrange for services from a licensed private hauler.
- Make sure your landfill trash and recycling dumpsters are large enough for your event.
- Find free reuse and recycling solutions through the Austin Materials Marketplace.
- Use different colored bags in collection areas (clear for recycling, black for trash, green for compost).
- Coordinate with Keep Austin Beautiful for event clean-ups or free recycling bins.
- Create signs for your collection bins.
- Consider donating extra food.
During the Event
- Announce recycling and/or compost bin locations.
- Train volunteers show attendees how to properly discard waste.
- Empty dumpsters and bins throughout the event, as needed.
After the Event
- Ensure dumpsters are picked up on schedule.
- Submit proof of services to Austin Resource Recovery.
- Review your waste reduction and diversion efforts with Austin Resource Recovery and discuss goals for your next event.
Apply for the zero waste event rebate
Austin Resource Recovery offers a zero waste event rebate of up to $750 to help event organizers reduce waste at their events.
