City of Frisco/Courtesy photograph
Frisco launched a brand new Waste Discount Enterprise Grant to encourage Frisco companies to foster innovation round waste discount.
The grant was propelled by the passage of ordinances meant to scale back waste within the city. The ordinances embody a ban on polystyrene to-go containers; the elimination of single-use plastic water bottles; a request-only requirement for single-use take out gadgets, and a requirement to have paper luggage with 100% recycled supplies.
The grant shall be as much as $10,000 and shall be awarded on a rolling foundation all year long. The city mentioned functions should embody undertaking particulars, how the enterprise intends to finish the undertaking or program, a timeline and an evidence of how this undertaking will assist to fulfill Frisco’s waste discount objectives.
As soon as a enterprise receives approval for the undertaking outlined of their grant utility, they may obtain reimbursement for any bills after offering proof of their expenditures. No grant funds shall be launched with out proof of expenditures.
Though the utmost award quantity shall be $10,000, smaller awards or partial funding of initiatives are additionally obtainable.
Small companies, nonprofits and academic organizations positioned throughout the jurisdictional boundaries of Frisco are eligible to use. All candidates should have an lively Frisco enterprise license.
Doable eligible initiatives embody set up of publicly accessible water filling stations, the acquisition of reusable items that might help the transition away from single-use gadgets to reusable gadgets, the growth of any sustainability packages {that a} enterprise already has in place, composting infrastructure/initiatives, and funding academic packages.
Different revolutionary concepts are inspired.
Tasks that aren’t eligible embody buying reusable luggage, recycling providers and buying to-go containers or provides.
New ordinances and different adjustments
The ordinance that places a ban on using polystyrene to-go containers, together with hinged containers, trays, bowls, and cups went into impact on Jan. 1. If a enterprise bought expanded polystyrene merchandise earlier than Jan. 1, 2024, then they could proceed to make use of any remaining stock till that stock is depleted.
For the plastic-water bottle ban, companies might want to supply water packaged in containers which can be extra recyclable, comparable to water in aluminum cans, glass containers or paper/wax cartons.
The “skip the stuff” ordinance mandates that any single-use to-go gadgets, together with plastic utensils, packaged condiments, paper napkins, stirrers, straws, and lids, have to be supplied by request solely. This plastic discount effort is efficient instantly. Eating places might present a self-service station for patrons to pick out their very own to-go gadgets. Particular provides utilized by third celebration supply providers — together with cup lids, spill plugs, and trays — which can be used to stop spills and ship meals and drinks safely.
Frisco additionally up to date its bag fee program to be extra according to Colorado’s Plastic Air pollution Discount Act. The adjustments regard how a lot of the bag price a enterprise can hold. Beneath the earlier ordinance, 50% of the disposable bag price could also be saved by a enterprise, as much as a most quantity of $100 per 30 days. The brand new ordinance permits companies to as an alternative hold 40% of the bag price that they gather with no most, and the opposite 60% shall be remitted to the city. The minimal remittance is $20 per quarter. If a enterprise has lower than $20 to remit, they may hold the remittance till they’ve over $20 and remit inside that quarter.
Beforehand, companies had been solely permitted to offer paper luggage created from a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled supplies. Beneath the brand new ordinance, paper luggage should be made from 100% post-consumer recycled supplies. The $0.25 bag price will stay.
With new ordinances Frisco will be capable of use the bag price for extra functions, together with to plan, promote, or implement any recycling, composting, or different waste discount packages and associated outreach and schooling, together with funding of the brand new Frisco Waste Discount Enterprise Grant.
Go to ReduceWasteFrisco.com to search out out extra in regards to the Frisco Waste Discount Enterprise Grant and to use for funding.
If you need to arrange a gathering to debate how these ordinances will affect your small business or have questions regarding waste discount and the grant course of, please contact City of Frisco Sustainable Supplies Specialist, Nico Cruz, at nicoc@townoffrisco.com or name 970-668-4578.
