A waste management district is a defined service area where the City manages and coordinates waste and related services. Customers in the district would pay for these services through utility bills. The City will determine which services to provide, based on public input and the area’s needs. These services could include: 

  • Trash, recycling and composting (using either contracted dumpsters or Austin Resource Recovery carts) 
  • Bulk item collection 
  • Street sweeping (the City currently provides this service in the area) 
  • Alley flushing 
  • Other services identified through stakeholder engagement 

The City's only other waste management district is the downtown Central Business District. There, the department:  

  • Manages trash, composting and recycling collection through a private hauler 
  • Picks up bulk items from alleyways 
  • Empties overflowing street bins in coordination with the Downtown Austin Alliance 
  • Sweeps and flushes streets and alleys 

Properties in the district and the Clean Community Fee fund these services. 

Background 

In 2004 the City adopted the University Neighborhood Overlay, which encourages high-density development near the University of Texas at Austin. Since its passage, the population of West Campus has nearly tripled. That growth means more waste — and more challenges like littering and illegal dumping. 

In 2023, the Austin City Council approved Austin Resource Recovery’s Comprehensive Plan.The plan includes a goal to consider establishing more waste management districts in parts of Austin where density is increasing and waste collection has historically been challenging. West Campus is among the areas identified for this consideration. 

Austin Resource Recovery already provides some services in the West Campus area.  

  • Guadalupe Street between MLK Boulevard and 24th Street get swept twice a week 
  • Crews collect litter containers along Guadalupe, MLK, and Rio Grande 
  • The department and community partners host MoveOutATX. Launched in 2017, the program helps students donate items during move out to keep them out of the landfill and off neighborhood streets. Local reuse organizations take the donations. 

Why is the City considering a waste management district for the West Campus area? 

A waste management district would enhance the quality of life in the area by creating a cleaner, safer community. It would also help address growing waste issues tied to the area's population growth. 

What are the potential benefits of a waste management district? 

  • Safety: Fewer dumpsters in alleys and along sidewalks would improve visibility for pedestrians. Fewer collection trucks would also mean less road wear and lower maintenance costs. 
  • Neighborhood appearance: Standardized, clearly labeled containers would enhance the area’s appearance. It can also make it easier for people to sort their waste correctly. 
  • Bulk collection: City services in the area could include access to on-demand bulk collection, which could reduce illegal dumping.