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 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 are not eligible to receive a rebate if they are applying for an affected premises that is leasing City of Austin property or the applicant has a contract to provide services to or at a City of Austin property.
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 is later.
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.
2. How is the rebate amount determined?
An applicant approved to use any of the following options may receive up to $3,000 per fiscal year from the Zero Waste Business Rebate Program:
- Expand food rescue program infrastructure at an affected premises as identified in City Code Section 15-6-91 that distributes food directly to persons earning 50% or less of the Median Family Income (MFI) in Austin or directly to a charitable feeding organization as defined in City Code 10-3-100.
- Start or expand an organics diversion program at an affected premises.
- Install infrastructure improvements to promote shared services of diversion containers between multiple affected premises.
- Equipment to increase diversion for residents at multifamily properties.
An applicant approved to use the following options may receive a rebate of up to $1,800 per fiscal year from the Zero Waste Business Rebate program:
- Eliminate or replace disposable, harmful or unnecessary plastics and polystyrene foam content materials with compostable or reusable materials.
- Purchase and install equipment to divert hard-to-recycle material for employees and residents at commercial and multifamily properties that constitute affected premises under Chapter 15-6, Article 5 of the City Code.
The rebate is only available to one affected premises per owner or property management company per fiscal year. Applicants previously awarded the Zero Waste Business Rebate are not eligible to use funding for equipment or services previously reimbursed by the Zero Waste Business Rebate.
3. How does an eligible affected premises apply for and receive the Zero Waste Business Rebate?
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A person (“the applicant”) may apply on behalf of an 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 only AFTER the City approves and signs its application and confirms rebate eligibility via e-mail. Any expenses incurred beforehand will NOT be eligible for reimbursement.
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Once the City approves a rebate application, the affected premises can incur eligible expenses. 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.
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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.
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The applicant must also submit any other documentation required for the relevant category of eligible expenses, as described in Section 4 of these rules, terms and conditions.
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The applicant or another person acting on behalf of the affected premises must complete all City staff surveys and must complete an exit interview survey within six months of receiving final payment of the rebate funds from the City.
4. What are eligible expenses that can be reimbursed by the rebate and how does an applicant show proof of the eligible expenses?
By signing these rules, terms and conditions, the applicant acknowledges that the City, in its sole discretion, determines what an eligible expense is. The following services constitute eligible expenses for the Zero Waste Business Rebate:
A) Expand food rescue program infrastructure at an affected premises
Applicant must:
- Provide proof 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, they must provide evidence 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.
- Provide evidence 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 used to purchase the following items, including but not limited to:
- Cold food storage that prolongs the life of edible food (up to $3,000 per affected premises).
- 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 (up to $1,800 per eligible affected premises).
- Developing or improving non-perishable food storage space, including shelves and racks (up to $1,800 per eligible affected premises).
B) Eliminate or replace disposable, harmful or unnecessary plastics and polystyrene foam content materials with compostable or reusable materials.
Applicant must:
- Provide a receipt for the purchase of the single-use, harmful or unnecessary plastics as indicated by the U.S. Plastics Pact’s problematic and unnecessary materials list within the twelve (12) months prior to the rebate application date. The receipt shall verify the existing distribution of single-use, plastic or polystyrene foam content items at the affected premises seeking the rebate. Food-serving entities that already use reusable food ware for on-site dining are not eligible for a rebate for reusable dishes.
- If compostable products are distributed to-go, an onsite organic diversion program is not required for this rebate. If seeking the rebate for compostable products to be distributed and consumed onsite, demonstrate that a composting program is currently in place for the affected premises, or proof that a composting program will be implemented within 30 days of the time the rebate application is approved. The affected premises must also submit proof that a composting program has been in place for the affected property for three (3) months after the date of the rebate approval. All proof can be shown by submitting at least one of the following:
- 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
Rebate may be used to purchase the following items, including but not limited to:
- Replace any material made from single-use, plastic or polystyrene foam, identified by the US Plastic Pact as a harmful or unnecessary with a compostable or reusable replacement (up to $1,000). Compostable packaging must be non-waxed lined paper or cardboard.
- Purchase reusable dishes and cutlery for on-site dining (up to $1,000).
- Purchase reusable food ware for takeout (up to $1,800).
- Fees associated with cleaning and returning reusable food ware program (up to $1,000).
- Purchase receptacles or bins for customer returns and/or onsite storage of reusable food ware (up to $1,000).
C) Start or expand an organics diversion program at an affected commercial or multifamily premises.
Applicant must:
- Not be an eligible property to be serviced by ARR’s organic curbside program.
- If seeking funding for option I below, 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.
- Food-permitted businesses only, applicant must be diverting organics materials (through means such as donating food to people or feeding animals) and adding a compost program as a second food diversion option. 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) is available at the affected premises. Examples of evidence can include a written agreement or contract with a credible food accepting organization like a food pantry, farm, place of worship, etc.
Rebate may be used to purchase the following items, including but not limited to:
- Start or enhance an organics diversion program with a commercial organics hauler. Eligible expenses include:
- Reimbursement for up to twelve months of commercial organic service (up to $3,000).
- Purchase of BPI-certified compostable can liners (up to $150).
- Indoor collection bins in common areas such as break rooms, cafeterias and seating areas (up to $200 per eligible affected premises).
- Start or expand organic diversion for front-of-house operations. Eligible expenses include:
- Customer-facing organic collection containers to be placed in common areas (up to $1,000).
- Educational signs to be displayed directly on collection bins to educate customers on how to properly use organic diversion containers (up to $200).
- Purchase of BPI-certified compostable can liners (up to $150).
D)
Equipment to improve the diversion rate at a property or business.
Applicant must:
- Provide single-stream recycling for employees and residents.
- Meet URO capacity requirements without the inclusion of additional equipment funded by the Zero Waste Business Rebate.
- Create designated and easily accessible drop-off areas for the two rebate usage options below.
Rebate may be used to purchase the following items, including but not limited to:
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Equipment to set up a recycling program for film plastics and plastic bags (up to $1,800). Hauling service fees are not eligible. Eligible expenses can include bins, bin liners, shelving and storage, etc.).
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Equipment to start a recycling program for E-Waste and batteries (up to $1,800). Hauling service fees are not eligible. Commercial businesses required to divert these materials by law are not eligible.
E) Equipment to increase diversion opportunities for residents at multifamily properties.
Applicant must:
- Provide single-stream recycling for employees and residents.
- Meet URO capacity requirements without the inclusion of additional equipment funded by the Zero Waste Business Rebate.
Rebate may be used to purchase the following items, including but not limited to:
I. Indoor recycling bins that are distributed to residents at no cost. The cost of the bins may not exceed $20 per dwelling unit (up to $3,000). 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).
II. Indoor composting bins that are distributed to residents at no cost. The cost of the containers may not exceed $20 per dwelling unit (up to $3,000). Bins must have the following components:
- Be green in color
- Waste type labeled (i.e., "organics", "compost") and/or indicated what materials are accepted in the bin. (e.g., food waste, food soiled napkins, paper towels and compostable ware).
- If you choose indoor composting bins, one must provide evidence of either a commercial organics services or on-site composting for employees and residents. Examples of evidence can include: a copy of the current organics service contract at the property or photogenic/ written confirmation of organics program.
III. Equipment to set up a community reuse program for cardboard boxes, household cleaners, clothing and hangers or other items. Eligible expenses include shelving, boxes and/ or signage (up to $1,800).
F) Infrastructure improvements to promote shared services of diversion containers between multiple affected premises.
Applicant must:
Provide evidence of shared service, types of shared service and the location of shared containers. Accepted evidence can include:
- Contracts between haulers and applicant
- Written agreement or contract between parties sharing services
- Aerial maps/ photos illustrating location of shared containers.
Rebate may be used to purchase the following items, including but not limited to:
- Pouring a new concrete slab, to accommodate cart or dumpster capacity. (Please note that approval of a rebate application does not guarantee or imply approval of any associated site plan or a site plan exemption during the permitting process.) Provide electronic or hard copy receipts for construction materials and labor (up to $3,000).
- Building a new enclosure/structure to house the shared organics, recycling, landfill carts/containers. Provide electronic or hard copy receipts for construction materials and labor (up to $3,000).
- 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.
5. What are NOT eligible expenses that may be reimbursed by the rebate?
- Costs for providing the minimum onsite 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, 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.
6. 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;
- 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).
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.