Rebate helps local businesses go greener

By Allison Strupeck

From the seasonal menu to the penny tile floors, the choices feel intentional at Hillside Farmacy.

Jade Place, co-owner of the landmark bistro, praised a City of Austin rebate for helping fund some of these thoughtful details.

Thanks to the City’s Zero Waste Business Rebate, Hillside Farmacy now provides paper to-go bags and compostable boxes. They also ditched plastic straws in favor of hay and hired a licensed hauler to compost their food scraps.

“Now we’re able to divert much more waste,” she said, “and operate in a way that better reflects our sustainability values.”

In the Mueller community, Adam Orman said the rebate made going greener more affordable for his small business. It helped his Italian-inspired restaurant, L’Oca d’Oro, start using plant-based packaging for carry-out.

The positive impact is felt by L’Oca d’Oro diners as well as Austin’s unhoused population. The restaurant cooks and delivers more than 500 packaged meals each week to a transitional shelter.

“We’ve always cared a lot about sourcing responsibly and reducing waste, so (the rebate) felt very aligned with how we already try to operate,” Orman said. “Now, our to-go program reflects the same values we try to carry from the farm all the way through the end of the meal.”

Applications are open through June 30 every year for the Zero Waste Business Rebate at AustinTexas.gov/ZWbizrebate. Austin businesses and multifamily properties can get up to $3,000 a year to reduce their waste beyond the basics. Eligible expenses include these and many other options:

• Providing multifamily residents with kitchen compost collectors 

• Hiring a hauling service for hard-to-recycle items such as Styrofoam, plastic film and batteries 

• Starting or expanding restaurant composting programs 

Both business owners said applying is easy and reimbursements are a breeze. 

“The process was straightforward and accessible,” Place said. “It felt like the City genuinely wants to help local businesses succeed in making sustainable changes.”