As part of our ongoing initiative to support businesses in the circular economy sector, the City of Austin provides this Circular Enterprise Resource Guide. The guide gives information on local programs, services, resources, community groups and regulations relevant to you as an entrepreneur.
An international charity committed to the creation of a circular economy. They offer tools and resources to help businesses transition to a circular economy.
DivInc is a nonprofit making the startup ecosystem more diverse, equitable and inclusive. They connect underrepresented entrepreneurs to resources and mentors. They offer a 12-week accelerator and program for alumni. They also run 'Startup Sistas', a program for Black and Brown women founders.
Philanthropitch is a social impact fast-pitch competition for nonprofits, funded by Notley. Nonprofits can learn how to break out of the cycle of traditional philanthropy.
CTAN is a member network of accredited local angel investors. They mentor and invest in early-stage entrepreneurs and start-ups. CTAN offers five funding cycles annually and is one of the most active angel networks in the U.S.
Interested in partnering and/or piloting your business idea with a local school? This grant offers up to $3,000 for Austin-area schools to start sustainability projects. Applications are accepted yearly between August and September.
Notley is a social impact investment company that operates as an engine for social good. They offer seed capital and grants to social impact organizations.
The Small and Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) promotes equity and access for disadvantaged small businesses. SMBR helps minority and women-owned businesses (MBE/WBE/DBE) to have equal opportunity with City of Austin contracts.
Adopted by City Council in September 2021. The plan lays out how the city can reduce greenhouse gas emissions to nearly zero by 2030. It aims to address the disproportionate burden that climate change puts on low-income communities and communities of color.
In 2018, the Austin City Council adopted a strategic plan to guide the City through 2023. The plan outlines a shared vision and six strategic outcomes. These include, Economic Opportunity and Affordability, Mobility, Safety, Health and Environment, Culture and Lifelong Learning, and Government That Works for All.
The community diversion study is a study of residential and business activities in Austin to keep material out of the landfill. The study found that Austin’s community-wide diversion rate in 2015 was approximately 42%.
This ordinance requires construction projects with 5,000 square feet or more of new, remodeled or added floor area to reuse or recycle at least 50% of construction debris or dispose of less than 2.5 lbs. of material per square foot of floor area. Commercial and multifamily demolition projects of all sizes must also meet ordinance requirements.
All private haulers that collect, remove or transport waste, recycling and/or organics/compost within the City of Austin for a fee, and companies that haul as part of their job, must get a private hauler license. The City maintains an online list of licensed haulers.
The Special Events Ordinance applies to events in Austin. Event organizers must meet ordinance requirements, which include submitting a waste management plan. Larger events also need to document how they plan to reduce and divert waste onsite.
The City of Austin requires all commercial and multifamily properties to provide convenient access to recycling to residents, employees and commercial tenants. Food service businesses must also put an organics diversion program in place. The goal is for those who work or live in these places to have access to convenient recycling or organics diversion. All properties must submit a recycling or organics plan each year to show they are meeting the URO requirements. All properties and businesses must provide signs and education to residents, commercial tenants and employees.
TCEQ conducted a study to create a Recycling Market Development Program. The plan promotes using recyclable materials as inputs in processing and manufacturing. The plan also outlines ways for state and local government to increase Texas' recycling rate.
TCEQ is the state agency in charge of most recycling-related regulations. They oversee landfill permits, electronics recycling and hazardous waste laws. They provide local landfill and MSW data. They also have material management resources on their site.
The Materials Lab at the School of Architecture has a collection with over 28,000 material samples. You can search online and filter by composition, form and other sustainable features. The lab welcomes visitors and is open to the public.
AEGB provides design tools to help build sustainable residential and commercial projects. It provides green building ratings, consulting services, education courses and more.
The Austin Reuse Directory is a search tool to help extend the life of everyday items. Find where to donate, resell or buy used or upcycled items, plus locate rental and/or repair services.
The Cascade Alliance offers free consulting to nonprofits. They help organizations turn trash into revenue. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County runs the program.
Nonprofit Austin at ACC provides professional development services. They offer certificate programs and educational resources that cover a wide variety of topics. They also hold special events for nonprofit leaders and have a physical space to gather and network.
The Austin Chamber may be able to provide connections to local commercial and industrial real estate resources. They have access to property databases for companies seeking space in the region. Their website provides a sampling of featured properties.
The City helps property developers identify environmental barriers. This program offers building materials investigations, free site assessments and more.
ATI is the deep technology incubator of UT Austin. They help design and pilot circular economy technology as well as business model innovations. ATI connects entrepreneurs with academia, industry and government.
JBTVL is an accelerator at UT. They match early-stage Austin startups with graduate student teams. Each semester, JBTVL showcases the startups to the community and investors.
UT-Austin’s hub for innovation in social and environmental impact. They focus on corporate sustainability, impact entrepreneurship and sustainable finance. Students and the community can take part in programs, courses, events and research. The center is part of The McCombs School of Business.
Balcones handles about 60% of the City of Austin’s residential recycling. They also accept residential and business recycling from the region. Balcones has MRFs in Austin and Taylor.
TDS handles about 45% of the City of Austin’s residential recycling. They also accept residential and business recycling from the region. Recyclables are processed at their MRF. TDS also owns and operates a landfill, compost operation, and a construction and demolition recycling facility.
The Austin Reuse Directory is a search tool to help extend the life of everyday items. Find where to donate, resell or buy used or upcycled items, plus locate rental and repair services.
Residents can drop off certain items to be recycled, reused or safely discarded. Free reused items are also available, such as ReBlend recycled paint and mulch. Some services have a fee. Appointments are required.
Surplus property sales
Local secondhand materials may save you money, and reduce your carbon footprint and packaging waste. Consider surplus property stores or auctions (UT, county, state). Local businesses may also have the material you need coming out as a byproduct.
Individuals and groups may reserve meeting rooms at any Austin Public Library location, at no cost. Each library location has free public Wi-Fi, video conferencing and computers. Individuals can check out a mobile hotspot or laptop with a library card. Individuals may reserve small study/meeting rooms. Individuals or groups may rent event spaces at Central Library downtown for a fee.
Vesper is a nonprofit event space that hosts both community and private events. Discounts may be available for public events with a community benefit. The space holds 300 people.
Vuka Workspaces offer co-work locations for social impact entrepreneurs. The two Austin centers offers shared workspace, events and programs. All company types and individuals are welcome.
Austin Community College’s Fashion Incubator prepares aspiring designers and established entrepreneurs for success. Funded in part by the City of Austin, the 7,500-square-foot facility offers career-technical training, courses for the public, a residency program, leasable space and more.
Asmbly is the largest nonprofit makerspace in Austin, Texas. Members can access equipment for woodworking, soldering, sewing, welding, CNC, 3D Printing and more. They also offer classes to learn how to use the equipment.
Pecan Street conducts research and analysis on climate issues related to energy, water, transportation and agriculture. They can help with product testing, development, field demos and prototyping for hardware, software and big-data analytics.
The City offers free, confidential business coaching. Coaches can help review business or marketing plans and assess financial readiness. You must complete the free BizAid class first.
SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. They are dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. Since 1964, they have provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs. SCORE is a nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
