City helps businesses prepare for recycling ordinance

Austin Resource Recovery is hosting training sessions to help businesses comply with a series of new recycling and composting requirements – all part of the city’s Universal Recycling Ordinance – that will be rolled out over the next year and a half. Scheduled for implementation on Oct. 1, the first set of requirements oblige commercial properties of at least 25,000 square feet and multifamily properties with at least 10 units to provide recycling for all employees and tenants. The next phase of the ordinance, which goes into effect Oct. 1, 2016, will require certain food service establishments – those that are at least 15,000 square feet – to implement “organics diversion programs,” such as food donation or composting. A third phase of the ordinance will require by 2017 that all Austin properties provide recycling. More information and a schedule of training sessions (all of which are free and provide food) are available here.