AUSTIN, TX – Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) is changing how it offers bulk and brush collections to residential customers. Beginning in January 2025, the collections will move from predetermined biannual schedules to an on-demand service. On-demand household hazardous waste (HHW) collection will also be launched citywide in January. Each service address will be able to schedule up to three collections per service every calendar year. Collections will then reset at the beginning of the next year.
ARR customers, which include single-family homes up to fourplexes in Austin, will be notified by mail and via the Austin Recycles app when they can begin scheduling appointments for these collections. Once available, appointments can be made by downloading the Austin Recycles app, visiting AustinTexas.gov/MySchedule or calling Austin 3-1-1 (512-974-2000). The scheduling system will list which items or materials can be collected and customers will identify what they plan to set out. Customers will get an email confirmation after an appointment is made and a follow-up email prior to their appointment as a reminder to set out items. Crews will then collect the items on the scheduled day. Collections will not be made without an appointment.
“We’re excited about offering on-demand collection of bulk, brush and household hazardous waste to all of our residential customers,” said ARR Director Richard McHale. ”Our customers will be able to schedule their collections when they want them. By making these services more convenient, we anticipate that we’ll keep more material out of the landfill and continue moving Austin closer to zero waste.”
ARR conducted pilot programs to test the three services before launching them to all curbside customers. Changing bulk and brush collection to an on-demand service provides many benefits. Customers no longer have to wait six months between collections and can select collection dates that align with when they have materials to dispose of. Timely collection of brush, including tree limbs and branches, can reduce wildfire risk in the community and help keep branches out of Austin’s waterways. The scheduling system will also require customers to identify the types of bulk items that they need collected, which will allow ARR to send the appropriate vehicles to pick up materials. This means more bulk items can be diverted from the landfill and recycled or disposed of properly.
HHW collection will be a new service for customers who are not part of the pilot program. Currently, most customers must make an appointment to drop off hazardous materials at the City of Austin’s Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center. All Austin residents, including those who live in multifamily communities, will still have access to schedule an appointment to drop off HHW at the center, but the new on-demand option will bring that service directly to ARR customers’ homes. On-demand HHW collection will also help protect crews by keeping dangerous materials like batteries and chemicals out of trash and recycling carts, collection trucks, recycling facilities and the landfill where they can cause fires or other environmental issues.
“The health and safety of our team and the community is our top priority,” McHale said. “We want to remind our customers to keep batteries and other dangerous materials out of their carts and use the on-demand service instead. We know that offering at-home collection of these dangerous materials is a huge step towards helping to keep our crews safe every day.”
ARR encourages customers to download the Austin Recycles app and sign up for notifications and service reminders. In addition to mailed notifications, the department will notify customers about the on-demand services through the Austin Recycles app.
For more information, visit austintexas.gov/OnDemand.
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About Austin Resource Recovery
Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) is a department of the City of Austin. We provide essential services that protect people and our planet. We collect recycling, composting, trash, large brush, bulk items and dead animals. We also sweep the streets, recycle and safely dispose of household hazardous waste, and provide community outreach and education. ARR is driving the global transformation of traditional waste management to sustainable resource recovery. Learn more at austinrecycles.com.
