Laundry detergent bottles
Get a last load of laundry out of your bottle by rinsing the bottle and using the rinse water like you used the product.
Pay-As-You-Throw customers can recycle laundry detergent bottles at the curb, if they are made of #1 - #7 plastic. Put them in your Single Stream Recycling cart with other recyclables.
If you are not a Pay-As-You-Throw customer, consult your waste company or building manager about whether to put plastic bottles in your trash or in your recycling.
Ecology Action accepts #1 and #2 plastic bottles at its downtown Austin recycling drop off center.
Laundry detergent boxes
You can recycle laundry detergent boxes by placing them in your Single Stream Recycling cart. Be sure product has been emptied out of the box before placing it in your cart. Flatten the boxes to create more room in your cart.
Ecology Action's downtown drop off center also accepts laundry detergent boxes for recycling, or you can compost them in your backyard.
Lawn mowers
Pay-As-You-Throw customers can set lawn mowers out during their bulky item collection. All gas or fuel must be removed before setting it out.
If you do not want to wait for your bulky item collection or if you are not a Pay-As-You-Throw customer, you may be able to take your lawn mower to a metal recycler. Look in the yellow pages under "Recycling Centers" for a list. You can also take it to the City of Austin Landfill Diversion Center.
Consult your waste company, before placing anything beside your dumpster. The company may not collect materials that are outside the dumpster.
Leaves
Leave can be composted in your backyard with vegetable scraps to make an effective soil conditioner.
Pay-As-You-Throw customers can also "recycle" leaves by setting them out in kraft paper grass and leaf bags or in a small reusable container (no more than 33 gallons). Leaves and other yard trimmings are made into mulch and Dillo dirt.
Do NOT put leaves in plastic bags or you will have to pay extra to have them collected. Leaves in plastic bags must be sent to a landfill.
It is against City ordinance to rake, sweep or blow leaves on to the street. They may clog storm drains and increase the risk of floods.
Lumber
You may be able to donate lumber in good condition to the Habitat for Humanity RE-store.
Pay-As-You-Throw customers can set lumber out during their bulky item collection. Lumber must be free from nails and tightly bound.
If you do not want to wait for your bulky item collection or if you are not a Pay-As-You-Throw customer, you can take your lumber to a private landfill.
