Austin- Local Restaurants in Support of Decreasing Food Waste
By: JG
A couple of years ago, in 2018, per city orders, local Austin restaurants had to follow the Universal Recycling Ordinance with guidelines on how to reduce their food waste and therefore contributing to the city’s intent to promote greener consumptions.
The City of Austin is dedicated to achieve the goals of its environmental campaign Zero Waste by 2040. The goal is to keep compostable or organic waste out of the local landfills by 90%. The goal was set after conducting a study in 2015, which concluded that more than 30% or waste that goes into landfills was compostable or organic and could’ve been given a more efficient use.
Alternative & Requirements 
In the earlier stages of the ordinance, there were phases describing each qualifying requirement from businesses. It started with recycling requirements in the larger apartment complexes and food establishments. A couple of years later the second phase included composting and proper disposal of organic materials in restaurants “larger than 15,000 sq ft.”. The ordinance even included organic materials like napkins, cardboards, food containers, and trimmings from flowers or gardens around the venues.
The alternative options of food and organic material disposal given to local restaurants were to send the extra food to shelters, or donate it through Feeding America or the local food bank. Feeding America, just like the Austin Food Bank is a program that distributes food donations to people in need. Another option is to send or sell the restaurant’s food scraps to a local farm for animal food or composting. Lastly, their other alternative is for the restaurants to compost on their own, although many would rather use programs that do it for them.
After implementing the ordinance, the local government created a training program for food enterprise businesses. Their services include guidance on what their best option would be after a free on-site visit and free training sessions for employees.
Odd Duck Example
A local Austin landmark restaurant, Odd Duck, such as the name, has been one of the few venues that have actually been practicing greener strategies even before the ordinance was enacted. In the words of their owner, Bryce Gilmore, “I think it is important to make the local industry and the city more sustainable, (the ordinance) is a great step forward” (Culture Trip). His restaurant has been a trailblazer and guide for newer venues, and they have stayed committed to source locally and decreasing their carbon footprint while maintaining the quality of their food.
In order to make sure restaurants and food establishments comply with the ordinance, the enterprises are evaluated in a regular timeline. In addition, restaurants have to provide a guide or a plan for how they are disposing, as well as ensuring their employees get trained. Those who stop complying can face fines of up to two thousand dollars by the Austin Resource Recovery.
By enacting the ordinance and enforcing its terms, the city of Austin is on the right path to achieve its sustainability goals as well as helping people in need and take an innovative approach to food waste.
Edited by: AC
