Fix a trash-cart or solid-waste fee mismatch in Austin

Short answer

The solid-waste charge follows the cart assigned to the address, not the one at the curb. When the billed category and the actual cart disagree, Austin Resource Recovery corrects it once the mismatch is documented.

Who this is for

Austin residents billed for a larger trash cart than they have, charged for a cart they never received, or paying an extra-cart fee that should not be there.

The steps, in order

1. Read the cart size printed on the lid of the cart at your curb.
2. Compare it to the solid-waste line on your bill.
3. Decide the fix: correct the record, swap to a smaller cart, or remove an extra-cart charge.
4. Review and send the prepared request through the Austin Resource Recovery official route.
5. Check the next bill for the corrected charge.

Have this ready

• The cart size on the lid
• What the bill charges for
• Whether you want a correction or a smaller cart

Common mistakes to avoid

• Requesting a smaller cart without checking what you actually throw away; overflow stickers cost more than the size difference.
• Ignoring an extra-cart charge for a cart that was picked up; the charge continues until the record is corrected.

Common questions

How do I get a smaller trash cart in Austin?

Austin Resource Recovery swaps carts on request and the lower rate follows the swap. The change shows on a later bill, so keep the request confirmation.

I am billed for two carts but only have one. What now?

That is a record mismatch. The correction request names the cart count at the address and ARR reconciles it; the overcharge is reviewed from there.

Official sources

• Austin Resource Recovery cart and extra-trash guidance
• Austin Resource Recovery residential rates

Last reviewed August 26, 2026 against the official source.

Related

• Missed trash pickup in Austin? We get your 311 report ready
• How to dispose of bulky items in Austin