Home Kitchen & Laundry All Food-Permitted Businesses in Austin Required to Divert Organics

All Food-Permitted Businesses in Austin Required to Divert Organics

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AUSTIN, TEXAS—Beginning earlier this month, all food-permitted businesses had to begin complying with Austin’s Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO). The URO requires convenient access for employees to divert discarded organic material, such as food scraps or soiled paper products, from landfills. Options include donating extra food to feed people (preferred), sending food scraps to local animal farms or ranches, and developing customized solutions and composting, either on-site or with a private organic collection provider.

The ordinance also requires that business owners/managers provide regular education for employees, post informational signage and submit an online Organic Diversion Plan at austintexas.gov/bizorganics annually.

According to the 2015 Diversion Study, more than 85 percent of Austin’s trash and recycling comes from commercial businesses, multifamily properties and food service establishments.  Of the materials sent to landfills, 37 percent is organic and could have been donated or composted. Consequently, the URO is a key component in the City’s strategy to reach Zero Waste by 2040.

“The City is committed to helping companies, large and small, find cost-effective solutions and establish diversion programs to ensure food and other organics are put to best use while meeting ordinance requirements,” said Sam Angoori, Interim Director, Austin Resource Recovery.

Austin Resource Recovery’s Business Outreach services offer free site-specific information, guidance and training. For help establishing or expanding recycling and/or diversion programs, business owners may visit
AustinTexas.Gov/URO or e-mail requests to: commercialrecycling@austintexas.gov.

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