AUSTIN, TEXAS – Austin’s seventh annual [Re]Verse Pitch Competition, a program aimed at reducing waste in Austin through innovation and design, kicks off Monday, Feb. 28 at the online Opening Pitch Event. During this event, five local businesses and non-profits will ‘pitch’ their businesses’ surplus and byproduct materials in the hopes of finding solutions and alternative uses for them to keep them out of local landfills.
 
Competitors will select a material and over the course of several weeks, create a new product or service based on that material. Competition organizers will host online workshops and provide mentors throughout the competition. In May, up to four competitors (or teams of competitors) will be selected to become [Re]Verse Pitch Innovation Fellows. The Innovation Fellows will receive cash and in-kind prizes valued up to $16,500 each, participate in a three-part accelerator program, and more.
 
By connecting local businesses with entrepreneurs and innovators, [Re]Verse Pitch helps Austin’s business community reduce waste and keep valuable resources out of the landfill. The materials for this year’s competition include:
 

• Decorator fabric samples and fleece cuttings supplied by Austin Creative Reuse
• Small plastic boxes supplied by Austin Community College Bioscience Incubator and EQO
• ½ pint milk cartons supplied by KIPP Texas Public Schools
• Bulletproof vests supplied by Travis County

 
Competitors may select one or more of the materials listed above. Competitors are highly encouraged to attend the Opening Pitch Event to participate.
 
The Opening Pitch Event will be hosted online Monday, Feb. 28, 6-7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Register here.
 
For more information about the [Re]Verse Pitch Competition and how to participate, visit reversepitch.org.  
 
The [Re]Verse Pitch Competition is a collaboration between the City of Austin and Austin Young Chamber, with additional support from a wide variety of community partners.

 
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About the Circular Economy Program

The City of Austin Circular Economy Program’s mission is to attract, retain, and grow businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurs in the zero waste industry in order to create well-paying local jobs, attract investment, and support the necessary infrastructure for a resilient circular economy in Central Texas. The program is a partnership between Austin Resource Recovery and the Economic Development Department.
 

About Austin Resource Recovery

Austin Resource Recovery provides a wide range of services designed to transform waste into resources while keeping our community clean. Services include curbside collection of recycling, trash, yard trimmings and large brush and bulk items; street sweeping; dead animal collection; household hazardous waste disposal and recycling; and outreach and education. Austin Resource Recovery offers free, voluntary, and confidential consulting services to help Austin businesses reduce waste and comply with the City’s recycling ordinances. In December 2011, the Austin City Council approved the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan, which is the City’s roadmap to Zero Waste. The City of Austin is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to area landfills by 90 percent by 2040. Learn more at austinrecycles.com.
 

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