Theses changes affect all commercial and multifamily properties within the Austin city limits. The ordinance will be phased in over the next four years, requiring more than 4,500 properties to recycle by October 2015. See Related Documents for a summary of the Universal Recycling Ordinance and the complete ordinance language.

The City is working on revising the existing rules that clarify how the new Universal Recycling Ordinance will be implemented and enforced. We encourage businesses to participate in this process.

Some of the issues being discussed include:

• Definitions and key concepts
• Size, number, location and capacity of containers
• Frequency of collection
• Enforcement methodology
• Service provider registration process
• Data reporting forms, requirements and protection of competitive or private information
• Develop steps for compliance with or enforcement of  the ordinance

Our objective is to collaboratively develop rules that are easy to understand and most participants can agree upon. During our first meeting, we identified key topics for discussion and agreed upon a meeting schedule.

Common questions

• How do I start a recycling program?
• How do I request a site visit?
• What’s the difference between the CMFRO and the URO?
• What is the summary of the URO (what’s needed)?