5.1.1 When to Set Out Receptacles
A customer shall set out the solid waste receptacle at the designated collection location at the public street or alley no earlier than 8:00 p.m. on the day preceding the collection day and no later than 6:30 a.m. on the collection day. A customer shall remove the solid waste receptacle from the collection location not later than 10:00 p.m. on the collection day.
5.1.2 Placement for Collection
The receptacles must be placed for collection at the curb or edge of street. Garbage, yard trimmings and recyclables should be placed at least five feet away from each other where space allows. Do not set out on top of water meters or in the path of the mail delivery vehicle or in front of mailboxes. The Department may designate specific locations for container placement.
5.1.3. Garbage
5.1.3.1 Customers shall use the city-issued garbage cart(s) for their garbage.
5.1.3.2 If a customer subscribes to more than one garbage cart, the additional cart(s) shall be tagged by the City of Austin.
5.1.4. Extra Garbage
5.1.4.1 Extra Garbage Stickers are required for any garbage outside of the cart, or for any garbage in the cart, which will not allow the lid to close completely. Bags of extra garbage must have an Extra Garbage Sticker attached to each bag. Any extra garbage not properly tagged with an Extra Garbage Sticker will be collected and the customer will be assessed an unstickered garbage fee as established by ordinance.
5.1.4.2 Overloaded carts will not be emptied. If the lid to the cart(s) will not close, the extra garbage must be removed and placed in a plastic garbage bag(s) no larger than 40-gallons and set beside the cart.
5.1.4.3 No more than 35 pounds of garbage should be placed in each plastic bag. Solid Waste Services employees will exercise reasonable care in lifting bags, but if the bag breaks when it is lifted, it is the responsibility of the customer to clean it up.
5.1.4.4 If the customer chooses to place the bagged and tagged garbage in a reusable container, such as a garbage can:
- The can must have no sharp edges.
- Each bag inside the container must have an Extra Garbage Sticker or the unstickered fee will apply to each bag that is not properly stickered.
- The Extra Garbage Sticker(s) must not be placed directly on the can.
- Personal containers including contents must weigh no more than 50 pounds.
5.1.4.6 The director may choose to waive the fees for stickered and unstickered garbage in the event of a natural disaster or significant storm event.
5.1.5. Recycling
5.1.5.1 Recyclable containers should be placed in city-issued recycling bins, or other similar type bins with no sharp edges, and no larger than 14 gallons in volume.
5.1.5.2 Junk mail, newspapers, and home office paper should be placed in a brown paper grocery bag(s), a cardboard box, a separate bin or a reusable container(s) with no sharp edges and set next to the recycling bin.
5.1.5.3 Each bin or bag must not weigh more than 35 pounds.
5.1.6. Yard Trimmings
5.1.6.1 Yard trimmings, such as grass clippings, leaves, weeds and small twigs, must be placed in a kraft paper bag(s), a compostable cardboard box(es), or in a personal reusable container(s). (Cactus or other thorny plants that can easily injure employees must be placed in a cardboard box.)
5.1.6.2 Reusable containers must be no larger than 35 gallons, have no sharp edges, and weigh no more than 50 pounds when loaded.
5.1.6.3 In rainy weather, put lids on containers to keep water out.
5.1.6.4 The use of plastic bags for yard trimmings is not acceptable. Yard trimmings set out in plastic bags will be considered ‘extra garbage’, and must have an Extra Garbage Sticker attached to each bag or they will be charged as unstickered garbage.
5.1.6.5 Small brush and limbs must be bound in small bundles no longer than five (5) feet with heavy cord (not wire), must be easy to pick up and must weigh no more than 50 pounds.
5.1.6.6 If limbs are placed in a personal, reusable container(s), limbs cannot project more than six (6) inches above the rim of the container.
5.2.1 Storage
5.2.1.1 Customers shall store receptacles on private property, except when special arrangements have been made with the City as specified in Chapter 12-3-26 E.
5.2.2.2 When moving, leave City-owned cart(s) and bin(s) behind for the next occupant in a secure place.
5.2.2 Care of Receptacles
5.2.2.1 Customers shall keep receptacles reasonably clean so they will not attract flies, fire ants or other pests or cause a health concern.
5.2.2.2 Bag all food waste, animal waste, soiled diapers, etc. in plastic before placing into receptacles.
5.2.2.3. Keep cart lids closed.
5.2.2.4 Rinse food residue from recyclable glass, metal and plastic containers before placing in the recycling bin to keep the bin clean and to avoid pests and odors.
5.2.2.5 Rinse out receptacles with regular soap and water if an odor develops or food residue spills.
5.2.2.6 Report any damage to the cart(s) or bin(s) to the Department. Damaged carts will be replaced at no extra charge if damage is due to “normal wear and tear”, or due to no fault of the customer.
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