Austin curbside composting: green cart rules and schedule

Short answer

Austin Resource Recovery collects composting weekly from single-family homes up to four-plexes. Set the green cart at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on your collection day, five feet from other carts, lid closed. Food scraps (including meat, dairy, and bones), food-soiled paper, yard trimmings, and natural fibers all go in, because the city processes them at a commercial composting facility. Keep out liquids, fats, oils, grease, plastic, glass, metal, and Styrofoam. Extra material goes in paper lawn-and-leaf bags or a reusable container (up to 34 gallons and 50 pounds) beside the cart, up to 15 items; anything in plastic bags is collected as trash and can add extra trash fees. Look up your day on the city's official schedule tool, and report a missed cart to Austin 311 within two days.

Who this is for

Austin households with city curbside service (single-family up to four-plex) who want the composting rules, what goes in the green cart, and their collection day.

Next steps

1. Find your collection day with the city's official schedule tool and sign up for reminders.
2. Fill the green cart with food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings, and natural fibers; keep the lid closed.
3. Set the cart out by 5:30 a.m., five feet from other carts, clear of bike lanes and sidewalks.
4. Put extras in paper lawn-and-leaf bags or a reusable container (max 34 gallons and 50 pounds) beside the cart, up to 15 items.
5. If the cart is missed, report to Austin 311 within two days and keep the service request number.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Bagging compostables in plastic; plastic-bagged material is collected as trash and can add extra trash fees
• Putting liquids, fats, oils, grease, glass, metal, or Styrofoam in the green cart
• Setting the cart out late; trucks run from 5:30 a.m. and a return trip costs $20.50
• Leaving out meat, dairy, and bones; the commercial facility processes what a backyard pile cannot

Key facts

• Weekly green-cart composting comes with city curbside service for single-family homes up to four-plexes; cart out by 5:30 a.m., lid closed, five feet apart.
• Meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper are accepted because processing happens at a commercial composting facility.
• Extras go in paper bags or a reusable container, up to 15 items; plastic-bagged material is treated as trash with extra fees.

Checked September 9, 2026 against the official source.

Common questions

Can meat, dairy, and bones go in the Austin green cart?

Yes. The city's material goes to a commercial composting facility that reaches temperatures high enough to break down meat, dairy, seafood, and bones, which backyard piles typically cannot handle.

What if Austin misses my compost cart?

Report it to Austin 311 online, in the app, or by phone within two days of the missed collection and the city will collect as soon as possible. A return-trip collection can also be scheduled for a $20.50 fee.

How do I find my Austin compost collection day?

Use the city's official My Schedule tool for your address. It shows trash, recycling, and composting days together and offers reminder sign-ups.

Official sources

• Austin curbside composting collection
• Austin curbside composting guide
• View your collection schedule

Checked September 9, 2026. Recheck the official page monthly and when the official page changes.

Related resident guides

• Missed trash, recycling, or compost pickup in Austin
• How to dispose of bulky items in Austin
• Dispose of batteries and hazardous waste in Austin