Green Resources

Explore City sustainability initiatives and rebates

From the ways we move around our city to the food on our tables to the natural spaces we access, sustainability is at the center of so many parts of our lives. The City of Austin is committed to supporting a sustainable city that is thriving, equitable, and resilient, as demonstrated by the variety of sustainability programs and initiatives being implemented across City departments.

I want to...

Make my home or yard more sustainable

Find resources, recognition, or rebates for my business

Find grants to support green initiatives in my community

Volunteer or get more involved in my community

Take a more sustainable commute

Support a zero-waste future through reuse, repair, recycling, and composting programs

Find green resources for kids or classrooms

Explore nature in our city

Find food resources or eat a more climate-friendly diet

Request a speaker from the Office of Sustainability

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Email the City of Austin's Office of Sustainability.

Make my home or yard more sustainable

Each action we take has the power to help support a more thriving and resilient community — and we have to start at home. Explore green rebates, incentives, tools, and programs that can help you incorporate sustainability into your daily life.

Austin Energy Residential Rebates & Incentives: Austin Energy's Residential Rebates can help make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.
Austin Water Residential Rebates: Whether you're making water-efficient landscaping choices, upgrading your irrigation systems, installing a rainwater collection system, or more, Austin Water may have a rebate to help you save money.
Chicken Keeping Guide: Follow this guide, and you will be chicken-keeping like a pro in no time.
Free Water Conservation Tools: Tools are available through the Water Conservation Help Desk at Waller Creek Center and for checkout at some Austin Public Library locations.
Get Ready Central Texas: Learn how to prepare for and recover from disasters.
GreenChoice® Wind Energy: Make an impact at home by choosing 100% Texas wind energy.
Grow Green: Learn how to create a beautiful Central Texas garden that is good for your pocketbook and the environment.
Home EV Charger Rebate: Electric Vehicle owners can apply for a rebate of 50% of the purchase and installation cost of certain approved EV charging stations. Already have an EV charger at home? Earn a $50 bill credit and $25 per year for using less energy during periods of high energy demand.
Home Repair Programs: Income-eligible Austinities can get help with home repairs and modifications.
Irrigation System Evaluations: Complete an evaluation to set an efficient watering schedule and identify the need for system repairs and upgrades.
Power Partner℠ Thermostats: Get rebates and incentives for using less energy when demand spikes.
Rain Catcher Pilot Program: Residents in the Waller Creek watershed in North Central Austin can receive rebates and guidance for installing rain gardens and cisterns.
Solar Solutions: Learn about the incentives for embracing solar as a clean, green, alternative source of power.
Manage Your Residential Energy Costs: Monitor usage through City of Austin Utilities Online Customer Care.
My ATX Water: Access your water use data, sign up for custom notifications, and receive potential leak alerts.
Tips for Reducing your Carbon Footprint: Explore actions from the City of Austin Climate Program.
Water Saving Tips: Find ways to conserve water at home, at work, and in your community.
10 Ways to Protect Austin's Clear Blue Skies: Discover how you can play a role in supporting healthy air quality for all Austinites.

Find resources, recognition, or rebates for my business

Green business is good business. Explore ways that the City of Austin can support your business and discover ways to save money by making sustainable choices with business incentives and rebates.

Austin Energy Green Building: Access design tools, find inspiration, learn about events, and get recognized for the sustainability of your single-family, multifamily, and commercial building projects. Plus, check out how the City is serving as a model locally with its own sustainable building projects.
Austin Energy Rebates & Incentives: Find ways to save money and energy by making the switch to more sustainable choices.
Austin Green Business Leaders: Whether you’re an established business or just getting started, the Austin Green Business Leaders program can help you protect the environment, save money, and make Austin a more livable place.
Austin Water Commercial, Multifamily, and School Rebates: Discover how you can save money by making water-wise decisions.
Business EV Charger Rebate: Get a rebate to cut costs on installing electric vehicle charging stations at your business, non-profit, or multi-family property.
Circular Austin Accelerator Program: Helps entrepreneurs improve their circular business ideas throughout a 12-week program.
Circular Austin Showcase: Provides the opportunity for circular economy businesses and entrepreneurs to compete for a cash prize in August each year.
Zero Waste Business Rebate: Eligible businesses can receive up to $3,000 for reducing waste beyond the minimum requirements of the Universal Recycling Ordinance.
Zero Waste Services for Businesses: Austin Resource Recovery offers a variety of zero-waste resources and services to commercial businesses, multifamily communities, and food-permitted businesses.
3C Business Challenge: Learn ways to reduce your business's water use and get information about available rebates for increasing water efficiency.

Find grants to support green initiatives in my community

Do you have an idea to help your community move towards a more sustainable and resilient future? Apply for funding through these City of Austin grant programs.

Bright Green Future Grants Program: Get up to $3,000 to support innovative campus-based projects that will inspire students to become lifelong environmental stewards.
Food and Climate Equity Grants Program: Get $3,000 to support your efforts to face some of the biggest challenges felt across our communities — from food access and insecurity to addressing the climate crisis to building thriving, resilient neighborhoods.
Urban Forest Grant: Support our urban forest with funding available for stewardship activities, such as tree planting, tree care, education, and disease control projects.

Volunteer or get more involved in my community

We all have a role to play in supporting a bright green future for Austin. Find ways to give back to your community with City of Austin volunteer opportunities.

Community Gardens: Learn how to start new gardens or find support for existing community gardens on City-owned land.
Community PARKnerships: Work as a community to coordinate clean-ups, facilitate activities, and propose and advocate for enhancements in your parks.
Neighborhood Partnering Program: Through the Neighborhood Partnering Program, Austin residents can work together to enhance the places they live, work, and play.
Serve on a Board or Commission: Shape and influence public policy by diving deep into issues that are important to your elected officials.
Streets as Places: Make suggestions for how to make a city street more attractive and interesting.
Storm Drain Marking: Help mark storm drains to raise public awareness about preventing pollution in our creeks.
Support the Animal Center: Donate money or supplies to the Animal Center or volunteer your time.
Volunteer with the City of Austin: Help make our community a better place to live with opportunities sponsored by the City of Austin.
Wildlands Conservation: Sign up to join guided hikes and volunteer events on the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and Water Quality Protection Lands.
Zero Waste Block Leaders: Become a Zero Waste Block Leader to share information about recycling, composting, repurposing, and repairing with your family, friends, and neighbors.

Take a more sustainable commute

Emissions from transportation account for a large share of Austin’s greenhouse gas emissions locally. The way you choose to move around our city can have a big impact. Explore these resources to bring a little green to your commute.

Biking in Austin: Find your route with the Austin Bike Map, learn about local cycling organizations, and more.
CapMetro’s Rider’s Guide: Read about riding the bus, map your route, and learn how to buy passes.
CapMetro BikeShare: Access shared e-bikes through CapMetro.
Commute Cost Calculator: Use this tool to understand how much you’re spending on your commute and find sustainable commuting options.
Electric Vehicle Buyer’s Guide: Find local EVs, compare models, and view incentives.
Electric Ride Rebates: Save money with Austin Energy when purchasing an eligible E-bike, scooter, moped, motorcycle, or any other electric two or three-wheel vehicle.
Get There ATX: Explore the many ways to get around Austin and use the trip planner to find safe, quick, and sustainable routes.
Safe Routes to Schools: Find resources to help young Austinites walk, bike, or roll to school safely, including crossing guards, education, outreach, and infrastructure projects.

Support a zero-waste future through reuse, repair, recycling, and composting programs

The City of Austin is committed to becoming zero-waste by 2040. You can support that goal with these programs and initiatives.

Curbside Composting Guide: Start composting like a pro with your curbside composting collection service in no time.
Fix-It Clinics: Learn how to repair clothes, appliances, electronics, and more with guides, direct expert support, and more.
Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center: Drop off many items to be recycled, reused, or safely discarded. You can also pick up free items to reuse yourself, including mulch, ReBlend Paint, art and cleaning supplies, and more.
Recycled Reads: Find used books and other library items, most priced under $2.
What Do I Do With…: Use this tool when you’re wondering what to do with unwanted items.

Find green resources for kids or classrooms

Help inspire the next generation of sustainability leaders with these resources for teachers, students, and young people.

Austin Energy’s School Outreach Team: Explore free science and learning opportunities for students through Austin Energy.
Bright Green Future Grants Program: Get up to $3,000 to support innovative campus-based projects that will inspire students to become lifelong environmental stewards.
Central Texas School Garden Network: Learn how to start, maintain, and teach with the schoolyard garden.
Urban Forest Youth Education: Explore the materials, training, and resources to connect young people in Austin to the trees that help make our city special.
Watershed Youth Education: Find information on school outreach, field trips, curriculum, and service learning opportunities from the Watershed Protection Department.

Explore nature in our city

Austin has been recognized nationally for its green spaces. Learn more about the nature in our city and what you can do to support it.

Community Gardens: Learn how to start new gardens or find support for existing community gardens on City-owned land.
Community Tree Programs: Find ways to engage in our urban forest ecosystem.
Parks Directory: Search through this list featuring all of Austin’s 355 parks.
Nature Preserves: Learn more about Austin’s over 2,200 acres of preserve land.
Urban Trails: Explore the urban trail network across Austin.
Wildlife Austin: Learn about ways the City is trying to keep Austin wild, including inclusion in the Bird City Texas, Bee City USA, and Mayors Monarch Pledge programs.

Find food resources or eat a more climate-friendly diet

The food we eat affects our bodies and the planet. Find support with accessing food or learn more about the City of Austin’s efforts to build a local and sustainable food system.

Austin/Travis County Food Plan: Learn more about the food planning process for Austin/Travis County and ways that you can get involved.
Community Gardens: Learn how to start new gardens or find support for existing community gardens on city-owned land.
Chicken Keeping Guide: Follow this guide, and you will be chicken-keeping like a pro in no time.
Double Up Food Bucks: Double Up Food Bucks doubles the amount of Lone Star (SNAP), WIC, P-EBT, and FMNP benefits individuals and families can spend on fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets and mobile markets in Austin.
Fresh for Less: Find fresh, affordable, convenient, and nutritious food close to home.
Tips for Sustainable Eating: Learn about simple steps you can take to lower your carbon footprint and nourish your body.

Request a speaker from the Office of Sustainability

Office of Sustainability staff are available to come speak to your school, business, organization, or community group about the work we are doing and ways to get involved. Presentations can be tailored to your audience and goals. Request a speaker today!

Want the latest news and updates from the Office of Sustainability?

Need more support?

Email the City of Austin's Office of Sustainability.