Whether you’re wrapping up a home renovation, clearing out a garage, or just have more junk than your curbside bin can handle, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Where can I dump all this trash in Austin?” It’s a common question in a city that’s as committed to cleanliness and sustainability as Austin is. With an ambitious Zero Waste by 2040 goal, the city aims to divert 90% of materials from landfills, making proper disposal more important than ever.
At Grunber, we’re experts in the world of waste management. We connect residents and businesses across the country with local, eco-conscious haulers for fast and responsible junk removal. To help our Austin neighbors, we’ve created this complete guide to all your legal and safe disposal options.
Understanding Austin’s Waste Disposal Laws
First, a crucial warning: simply dumping your trash on public property, in a commercial dumpster that isn’t yours, or on the side of the road is illegal. The City of Austin and the State of Texas take illegal dumping seriously, and the consequences can be severe.
According to the Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 365.012, offenders can face significant fines and even jail time. The penalties are tiered based on the amount and type of waste, escalating from a misdemeanor to a state jail felony. The property owner can also be held responsible for cleanup costs, even if they weren’t the one who dumped the waste.
To avoid any legal trouble, it’s essential to use an approved disposal site. Here’s a quick look at the potential penalties you could face for illegal dumping in Texas.
| Offense Class | Weight / Volume Threshold | Commercial Purpose Threshold | Potential Penalties |
| Class C Misdemeanor | 5 lbs or less | N/A | Fine up to $500 |
| Class B Misdemeanor | More than 5 lbs but less than 500 lbs | N/A | Up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine up to $2,000 |
| Class A Misdemeanor | 500 lbs to less than 1,000 lbs | More than 5 lbs but less than 200 lbs | Up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine up to $4,000 |
| State Jail Felony | 1,000 lbs or more | 200 lbs or more | Up to 2 years in state jail and/or a fine up to $10,000 |
DIY Disposal Option 1: City and County Public Facilities
For residents willing to handle the hauling themselves, the city and county offer several facilities designed for specific types of waste.
Austin’s Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center
This is the city’s primary hub for items that can’t go in your regular curbside bins, especially household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics.
- Address: 2514 Business Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744.
- How it Works: This facility is by appointment only. Austin and Travis County residents can schedule a drop-off time online through the city’s website.
- Cost: Free for Austin and Travis County residents (except for a small fee for tires).
- Accepted Items: This is the go-to spot for HHW (paint, cleaners, automotive fluids, batteries), electronics (computers, TVs, cell phones), appliances (microwaves, washers, dryers), and other hard-to-recycle materials like Styrofoam and plastic film.
- The Catch: You must plan ahead. The appointment system means you can’t just show up when you feel like it, which can be a challenge for spontaneous cleanout projects.
Travis County 1431 Citizens Collection Center
Located in Cedar Park, this facility is an option for residents in the northern part of the county for basic household trash.
- Address: 2625 Woodall Dr., Cedar Park, TX 78613.
- Hours: Limited to Thursday–Saturday, 8:00 am–3:50 pm.
- Cost: Charges a fee per cubic yard (roughly a pickup truck bed). They only accept cash or check.
- Limitations: This center is for household trash only. It does not accept business waste, HHW, appliances, large furniture, or mattresses.
DIY Disposal Option 2: Private Landfills and Transfer Stations
For large volumes of general trash, construction debris, or bulky items not accepted at public centers, a private landfill is your next option. These facilities are built for commercial haulers but are open to the public, though they come with their own set of rules and costs.
Austin Community Landfill (WM)
- Address: 9900 Giles Road, Austin, TX 78754.
- Hours for Public: Monday–Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for “hand-unload” customers; Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m..
- Requirements: All customers are required to wear a safety vest. You can bring your own or purchase one on-site. Disposal fees vary based on the load, so it’s best to call ahead for an estimate.
Travis County Landfill (Waste Connections)
- Address: 9600 FM 812, Austin, TX 78719.
- Hours for Public: Monday–Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM; Saturday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Requirements: Safety is strict here. All customers must wear hard hats, safety vests, and safety glasses. There are minimum load fees (often starting around 2 tons), which can make disposing of just a few items very expensive. They also charge extra for items like mattresses and tires.
Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) Landfill
- Address: 3016 FM 1327, Creedmoor, TX 78610.
- Hours for Public: Monday–Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to sunset.
- Details: TDS operates a “Citizens Convenience Center” designed for public drop-offs. However, expect a minimum drop-off fee (around $66 for a standard pickup truck load) plus additional surcharges for specific items like mattresses, box springs, and sofas (often $25 each).
The Smart, Simple, and Safe Alternative: Grunber Junk Removal
As you can see, DIY disposal in Austin requires careful planning, navigating different rules for each facility, and can involve unexpected costs and safety requirements. If that sounds like a hassle you’d rather avoid, there’s a much easier way.
Grunber was built to eliminate the stress of junk removal. We connect you with a local, vetted, and insured hauler who handles everything for you, fast.
- Ultimate Convenience: Forget booking appointments or driving to a landfill. We come to you, often on the very same day. Just point to what you want gone, and we’ll take it from there.
- All-Inclusive Service: Our professional teams do all the heavy lifting, loading, and hauling. You don’t have to lift a finger, drag a couch to the curb, or worry about injuring yourself.
- Transparent Pricing: With Grunber, you get a clear, upfront quote before any work begins. No confusing per-ton calculations, hidden surcharges, or minimum load fees. You only pay for the space your items take up in the truck.
- Compliance & Peace of Mind: Our haulers are experts in local regulations. We ensure every item is disposed of legally and responsibly, so you have zero risk of facing the fines associated with improper disposal.
Reclaim Your Space the Easy Way
You have options when it comes to getting rid of trash in Austin. You can navigate the rule-heavy public facilities, brave the industrial environment of a private landfill, or you can make one simple call and let the professionals handle it.
Ready to reclaim your space without the headache? Get your free, no-obligation quote from Grunber today and let our local haulers make your junk disappear.
