New Composting Requirements for Austin Multifamily Properties Begin October 1st

Beginning October 1st, the City of Austin will begin requiring multifamily properties with five or more units to provide access to composting services. This new requirement was created by an ordinance approved by the City Council in September 2023.  

Here’s what you need to know to know:  

1. Properties that meet the criteria for mandatory composting will be required to provide one gallon of composting per residential unit with weekly collection and no overflowing containers. Property managers are not required to have containers for inside individual units. 

2. The containers must accept composting materials including food scraps (including meat, bones, and dairy), food soiled papers and BPI-certified compostable products.  

3. A composting plan must be submitted to the city every year starting October 1, 2024, and by February 1 of each year following. For new properties, managers shall submit a waste diversion plan within 30 days of receiving the certificate of occupancy. 

4. Properties will be required to teach residents and employees about the composting plan within 30 days of hire or move in.  

AAA hosted a webinar that you can find here highlighting findings from the pilot program that took place in 2021, the legislative action taken by council to pass this mandate and other information shared by Austin Resource Recovery.  

The city has also created a website with step-by-step instructions for what multifamily properties will need to comply with the mandate starting October 1st.   

Helpful Links  

• Austin Apartment Association Multifamily Compost Ordinance Webinar  

• Multifamily Composting and Organics Diversion Pilot (2021)  

• Composting for Apartment and Condominium Residents Information Page  

• Tip Sheet on Composting for Residents (created by Austin Resource Recovery)  

• Haulers Licensed by the City of Austin