Toys can be recycled!
One thing I see a lot of during Austin’s Bulk Collection is unwanted or unusable toys left curbside. I would love to see these toys donated to those who don’t have toys, or if unusable then recycled!
Plastic toys without batteries or plugs, know as “Hard Plastics,” can be recycled in your City of Austin blue recycling cart.
If the toy is too big for the cart, it can be taken to the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center.
Metal toys without batteries or plugs can be recycled at the Scrap Metal station at the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center .
They should not be put in the City of Austin blue recycling carts.
Toys (plastic or metal) with batteries or plugs can be taken to the Electronics station at the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center . Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) staff will separate the materials out to the proper stations.
These battery items, a musical toy and a flashing safety device, both were processed at the Electronics station. ARR also takes single owner breast pumps, cords, computers, tvs, speakers, phones, appliances (my broken ice cream maker and Vitamix). See Electronics and Appliances for the full list.
Don’t forget to check your warranty on applicable items and the manufacturer’s website for replacement parts before considering recycling an item.
Stuffed animals and other fabric toys may be recycled using the City of Austin’s Simple Recycling green bags set out next to your blue recycling cart on your recycling day, or in the kiosk at the Reuse & Recycle Drop-off Center until June 23, 2019, when the contract ends. the Austin Reuse Directory or at your local Goodwill.
June 24, 2019 and later these items may be recycled using
*Fall 2019 update: The Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center is accepting textiles (for the future recycling contract) next to the Styrofoam drop-off station.
What do all the items below have in common?
They are recyclable!
Reminders for Bulk Collection:
1) Bulk Collection is considered trash. The items are not sorted for recycling; it all goes to the landfill.
2) Bulk Collection is twice a year. You’ll get a colorful half-sheet flyer in the mail with your dates but you can also sign up for text or calendar reminders too.
Round Rock, San Marcos and New Braunfels do not mention toys that contain metal, plastic or fabric. If you have metal toys in these cities it’s possible they’re accepted at scrap metal businesses. Otherwise I recommend you talk to your city about looking into expanding their recycling programs from only numbered containers to general hard plastics, and from only tin, steel and/or aluminum to all metals.
City of Austin Residential Recycling / Apartment Dwellers Guide
City of New Braunfels Residential Recycling
City of Round Rock Residential Recycling
City of San Marcos Residential Recycling / Apartment Dweller Quick Facts
Apartments should check with their provider/contractor or that provider/contractor(s) website(s) for instructions/restrictions.