The City of Austin offers a Zero Waste Business Rebate that is available only to affected premises described in Section 15-6-91 of the City Code. To receive the rebate, the affected premises must meet the Zero Waste Business Rebate eligibility requirements and must otherwise comply with these rules, terms and conditions. 

1. Who is eligible to apply for a Zero Waste Business Rebate?

A person who is a responsible party for an affected premises that is required to comply with Chapter 15-6, Article 5 (Universal Recycling) of the City Code and meets the application requirements described in these rules, terms and conditions. 

The following responsible parties, referred to in this document as "applicants," are eligible to apply for the Zero Waste Business Rebate: 

  • The owner of an affected premises or an employee of the owner; 
  • The manager of an affected premises or an employee of the manager; or 
  • A tenant or lessee on an affected premises, except for a tenant or lessee of a multifamily residence, who contracts or arranges with a hauler for solid waste service or who self-hauls. (Such a tenant or lessee can apply only on behalf of the portion of the affected premises over which the tenant or lessee has care, custody, control or possession.) 

Applicants must be in compliance with Chapter 15-6, Article 5 (Universal Recycling) of the City Code.

Applications will be accepted from October 1 to July 1 every year or until all funds are allocated, whichever comes first.

An applicant may receive up $3,000 per fiscal year from the Zero Waste Business Rebate Program. Rebate funds are not guaranteed. The rebate is available on a first-come, first-served basis and there is a limited amount of funding available for each category of eligible expenses. There is no reservation or rain-check system. 

The rebate is available to up to three affected premises per owner or property management company per fiscal year. Applicants previously awarded the Zero Waste Business Rebate are eligible to use funding for equipment or services previously reimbursed by the Zero Waste Business Rebate for up to three years.

2. How does an eligible affected premises apply for and receive the Zero Waste Business Rebate?

  1. An applicant may apply on behalf of a maximum of three eligible affected premises by submitting the Zero Waste Business Rebate application and a signed copy of these rules, terms and conditions. To receive reimbursement, the affected premises must incur expenses no earlier than six months prior to the application date. Any expenses incurred more than six months prior to the application date will NOT be eligible for reimbursement. 

  2. The applicant must meet with Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) staff and answer all questions to confirm eligibility to participate in the Zero Waste Business Rebate Program. Staff may schedule meetings as virtual or in-person. 

  3. To receive reimbursement, the applicant must submit itemized invoices for materials purchased or collection services received. The applicant must certify in writing that all invoices submitted are authentic and/or true and correct statements of the expenses incurred by the affected premises as part of the Zero Waste Business Rebate Program.  

  4. The applicant must register the affected premises as a City of Austin vendor and provide a Vendor ID Number and payment address to be reimbursed. 

  5. The applicant must also submit any other documentation required for the relevant category of eligible expenses, as described in Section 3 of these rules, terms and conditions. 

  6. The applicant or another person acting on behalf of the affected premises must complete all City staff surveys and an exit interview or survey within six months of receiving final payment of the rebate funds from the City. All applicants must complete the exit interview or survey to ensure expenses meet the intent of the rebate program. Failure to meet with City staff will result in disqualification. See section 6 of these terms and conditions.

3. What are eligible expenses that can be reimbursed by the rebate and how does an applicant show proof of the eligible expenses?

All expenses must meet the intent of City Code Chapter 15-6, Article 5 (Universal Recycling) as outlined in section 8.3 (General Principles) of the Solid Waste Services Administrative Rules.

8.3.1 The Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) is designed to increase access to recycling and organics diversion and encourage waste reduction for properties within the city limits of Austin, Texas [; to]

  • 8.3.1.1 Aid in the City of Austin's Zero Waste goal of achieving 75% diversion from landfills by 2020 and 90% diversion by 2040 as defined in the October 2011 City Council adopted Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan.

By signing these rules, terms and conditions, the applicant acknowledges that the City, in its sole discretion, determines what an eligible expense is and holds the right to deny expenses outside of what is outlined in these rules, terms and conditions.

The following services constitute eligible expenses for the Zero Waste Business Rebate: 

A) Food rescue equipment

Staff will confirm the following information:

  • That the organization distributes food to persons earning 50% or less of MFI in Austin. 
  • If an applicant is a food enterprise under Section 10-3-61 (Permit Required) of the City Code, that an additional method of landfill diversion for organic material that complies with the standards of City Code Chapter 15-6, Article 5 (Universal Recycling) is available at the affected premises. 
  • That a) food rescue will be expanded from the purchase of new infrastructure and b) that the sole purpose of the infrastructure will be used to divert food to people.

Rebate may be for or used to purchase items such as:

  • Cold food storage including refrigerators and freezers that prolongs the life of edible food.
  • Food safety transportation equipment, including refrigerated or hot food insulated transporters, coolers and other resources necessary to safely transport and distribute food to be reviewed by ARR staff.
  • Developing or improving non-perishable food storage space, including shelves and racks.

All expenses for Option A must meet the intent of the URO’s organics diversion requirement by encouraging the beneficial use of scrap food, beginning with feeding hungry people (City Code Section 15-6-92 [Diversion Requirements for Affected Premises]). 

B) Reusable ware

Rebate may be used to purchase items such as: 

  • Reusable dishes and cutlery to be used on-site or for takeout.
  • Fees associated with cleaning and returning reusable food ware program.
  • Purchase receptacles or bins for customer returns and/or onsite storage of reusable food ware. 

C) Compostable ware

Staff will confirm the following information:

  • If seeking the rebate for compostable products to be distributed and consumed onsite, a composting program must be in place, or proof that a composting program will be implemented within 30 days of the time the rebate application is approved, at the affected premises. The affected premises must also confirm that a composting program is in place for the affected property for three (3) months after the date of the rebate approval. This information will be confirmed during the initial interview.
    • An electronic or hard copy of a new contract demonstrating that the applicant is in the process of setting up commercial organics service with a start date within 30 days of rebate approval. Service must be provided through a licensed private hauler;
    • An electronic or hard copy of an ongoing contract demonstrating that the applicant has commercial organics services provided through a licensed private hauler;
    • Electronic or hard copies of receipts demonstrating that responsible parties for the affected premises regularly self-haul compost to a licensed composting facility; or
    • Documentation or an ARR staff site visit to demonstrate that there is an active onsite compost program at the affected premises
  • If compostable products are distributed to-go, an onsite organic diversion program is not required for this rebate.

Rebate may be used to purchase items such as: 

  • Replace any material made from single-use, plastic or polystyrene foam, identified by the US Plastic Pact as harmful or unnecessary, with a compostable replacement. Compostable packaging must be non-waxed, lined paper or cardboard. Compostable dishes and cutlery can be used on-site or for takeout.

D) Organics service

Staff will confirm the following information:

  • Applicant is not serviced by ARR’s curbside composting program. 
  • If seeking funding for organics service, provide an electronic or hard copy of a contract for at least six months of commercial organics diversion service. Service must be provided through a licensed private hauler. 
  • For food-permitted businesses only: Applicant must already offer employees access to diverting organic materials (through means such as donating food to people or feeding animals) if adding a back-of-house organics programs for employees, the program must be a second food diversion option. 
  • Applicants may use this rebate option towards a front-of-house organics program for customers. Applicant must provide evidence of the current method of landfill diversion for organic material that complies with the standards of the City Code Chapter 15-6, Article 5 (Universal Recycling) and is available to employees at the affected premises. Examples of evidence can include a written agreement or contract for back-of-house composting or with a credible food accepting organization like a food pantry, farm, place of worship, etc. 

Rebate may be used to purchase items such as:

  • Start or enhance a back-of-house organics program with a commercial organics hauler for employees. Eligible expenses include: 
    • Reimbursement for up to twelve months of commercial organic service for back-of-house service.
    • Purchase of BPI-certified compostable bags.
    • Indoor collection bins in common areas such as break rooms, cafeterias and seating areas.
  • Start or expand front-of-house organic program for customers. Eligible expenses include:
    • Reimbursement for up to twelve months of front-of-house commercial organic service for customers.  
  • Customer-facing organic collection bins.
  • Educational signs to be displayed on or near collection bins to educate customers on how to properly use organic diversion containers.
  • Purchase of BPI-certified compostable bags.

E)  Recycling program expansion

 Staff will confirm the following information:

  • Applicant provides single-stream recycling for employees and residents.  
  • Applicant has a designated and easily accessible drop-off area(s) for the rebate usage options below.

Rebate may be used to purchase items such as:

  • Reimbursement for up to twelve months of non-single stream recycling hauling service such as wrap, foam, or electronic waste collection. 
  • Equipment to set up a recycling program for film plastics, plastic bags and foam. Other eligible expenses can include bins, bin liners, shelving and storage, etc.
  • Equipment to start a recycling program for electronic waste and batteries. Other eligible expenses can include bins, bin liners, shelving and storage, etc.

Commercial businesses required to divert these materials by law are not eligible.

F) Recycling and composting bins for residents

Staff will confirm the following information:

  • Applicant provides single-stream recycling for employees and residents. 

Rebate may be used to purchase items such as:

  • Indoor recycling bins that are distributed to residents at no cost. The cost of the bins may not exceed $20 per dwelling unit. Recycling bins must have the following components: 
    • ​​​​​Be blue in color
    • Chasing arrows recycling symbol
    • Waste type labeled (I.e., "recycling") and/or indicate what type of materials are accepted in the bin (e.g., paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass). 
  • Indoor composting bins that are distributed to residents at no cost. The cost of the containers may not exceed $20 per dwelling unit. Compost bins must have the following components: 
    • Be green in color
    • Waste type labeled (i.e., "organics", "compost") and/or indicate what type of materials are accepted in the bin (e.g., food waste, food soiled napkins, paper towels and compostable ware).
  • BPI-certified compostable bags

G) Multifamily Reuse equipment

 Staff will confirm the following information:​​​​​​

  • Applicant provides single-stream recycling for employees and residents.

Rebate may be used to purchase items such as:

  • Equipment to set up a community reuse program for cardboard boxes, household cleaners, clothing or other community items. Eligible expenses include bins, bin liners, shelving, boxes and/or signage.

H) Diversion infrastructure improvements

 Staff will confirm the following information:​​​​​​

  • Who the applicant shares service with, the types of shared service (landfill, trash, recycling, composting/organics) and the location of shared containers. 

Rebate may be used to purchase items such as:

  • Pouring a new concrete slab to accommodate cart or dumpster capacity. Provide electronic or hard copy receipts for construction materials and labor.
  • Building a new enclosure/structure to house the shared organics, recycling and/or landfill carts/containers. Provide electronic or hard copy receipts for construction materials and labor

Please note that approval of a rebate application does not guarantee or imply approval of any associated permit, site plan, or site plan exemption during the permitting process.

Pouring a concrete slab or building a new enclosure/structure will not be an eligible expense if it will make the affected premises non-compliant with other applicable City Code provisions.

4. What are NOT eligible expenses that may be reimbursed by the rebate?

  • Costs for providing the minimum on-site recycling and organics diversion services that Chapter 15-6 of the City Code requires the affected premises to provide. 
  • Other costs for complying with the City Code. 
  • Taxes, deposits or payment for employee training time, payment of City utility bills, service provider late payment fees, service provider contamination fees or any other purpose not expressly allowed under these rules, terms and conditions. 
  • Costs that exceed the approved rebate amount. The applicant or applicant’s representative is responsible for all costs that exceed the approved amount of the rebate. 

5. What can DISQUALIFY an affected premises from receiving reimbursement under the Zero Waste Business Rebate Program?​​​​​​​

  • Failure to provide itemized invoices to verify that expenses are eligible for reimbursement;
  • Failure to meet with City staff, after reimbursement, to verify purchases meet the intent of the rebate program;
  • Violation of the City of Austin Code, City regulations, state or federal law, or the rules, terms and conditions of this program; or
  • Failure to pay taxes as required by the City Charter, Article VIII § 1 (Taxes—Arrears of Offset to Debt Against City). 

6. What happens if an affected premises is DISQUALIFIED from participation in the Zero Waste Business Rebate Program?

If the applicant is disqualified before the City provides rebate funds, the City will not provide any rebate funds. If the applicant is disqualified after the City has paid rebate funds, then the applicant agrees to repay the City for the full amount of the rebate funds received. The applicant shall repay the funds within three (3) months of the date on which the City notifies the entity of disqualification. 

BY SIGNING THESE RULES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS, THE APPLICANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE AFFECTED PREMISES SHALL BE LIABLE FOR REPAYMENT IF THE PREMISES FAILS TO TIMELY REPAY THE FUNDS FOLLOWING DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE ZERO WASTE BUSINESS REBATE PROGRAM. 

7. Additional terms and conditions​​​​​​​

  • The applicant understands that the City may amend or terminate the Zero Waste Business Rebate Program without notice, and understands that the receipt of rebate funds is contingent upon whether the applicant meets all program requirements and is not disqualified from the program. 
  • The applicant understands that the City is not a party to any contract between the applicant and any third-party vendors or service providers. The applicant acknowledges that the City will not intervene in the event of a dispute with a third party. 

8. Waiver of liability

I AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS THE CITY OF AUSTIN, ITS EMPLOYEES, OFFICIALS AND CONTRACTORS FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ZERO WASTE BUSINESS REBATE PROGRAM. I FURTHER RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT OR DEBT OF THE CITY. 

Related Links

Zero Waste Business Rebate