How to recycle election signs, materials in Austin
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the November election season in the rearview mirror, the city of Austin is encouraging residents and local campaign organizers to help reduce election-related waste.
Election waste encompasses campaign signs, printed materials, single-use promotional items and waste materials from campaign events, per the city of Austin.
Where to recycle materials in Austin
While yard signs aren't recyclable via city-issued blue recycling carts, residents can make an appointment with the Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center, located at 2514 Business Center Drive. The center collects items containing corrugated metal, plastic and foam yard signs throughout the year.
A temporary drop-off station will also be set up at the center for one month following the presidential election. The site is located just outside the center, and appointments aren't required for those services.
For wooden stakes used, any untreated wood can be composted and placed in city-issued green carts, while treated or painted wood can be donated, reused or disposed of in residents' trash carts.
How to minimize election waste
Those looking to reduce their campaign-related waste can restrict their acceptance of promotional items to only ones they'll actually use. They can also scan available QR codes or take a picture of campaign information instead of accepting a flyer or brochure.
Those who do take a paper flyer, or receive a mailer or brochure in their mail can recycle in using their city-issued blue carts. The Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center accepts metal campaign buttons and will recycle those when appointments are made.
Campaign organizers can also minimize the number of materials they purchase or print for handouts, as well as select materials readily recycled, reused or compostable. They can also avoid certain non-reusable or non-recyclable items, like laminated posters, stickers and stress balls.
What state code says
Under Texas' Election Code, a property owners' association can't restrict residents from displaying a candidate or election measure sign on or after the 90th day prior to the election. Likewise, those signs can remain posted up to the 10th day post-election, before they need to be taken down.