The City of Austin has received a 2021 Gold Rank Award from the International Economic Development Council for its Circular Economy Program. Of more than 500 nominees considered, Austin was one of 25 awardees recognized for creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
"We are thrilled to receive this recognition for our efforts to make Austin the most vibrant circular economy in the United States, where materials are reused, repaired, shared, and recycled to their fullest extent," said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Acting Director of the City of Austin Economic Development Department. "Through our collaboration with Austin Resource Recovery, we are helping local businesses enhance their competitiveness while keeping resources in use in our economy instead of the landfill."
"Working with the Economic Development Department has helped Austin Resource Recovery maximize the economic impact of our zero waste and circular economy initiatives," added Ken Snipes, Austin Resource Recovery director. "We're proud of the local green jobs and sustainable companies we are able to support through this now-award-winning partnership."
Circular businesses provide products and services that keep resources in use within the economy instead of discarding them in the landfill. These types of businesses include thrift stores, repair shops, recyclers, sharing services, and more. Circular businesses are part of a growing industry in Austin with a large economic impact, supporting over $1 billion in local economic activity and over 6,300 jobs.
"The winners of IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic development and exemplify the leadership that our profession strives for every day," said 2021 IEDC Board Chair and Invest Buffalo Niagara, President, and CEO Tom Kucharski. "We're honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing submissions, projects, and partnerships have improved regional quality of life."
The Circular Economy Program provides local businesses with no-cost one-on-one consultations and virtual networking events. More information is available online at www.austintexas.gov/circulareconomy. ### About the City of Austin Economic Development Department
The City of Austin Economic Development Department supports business growth, creative industries, and local communities. These programs build an equitable, sustainable economy to improve the lives of all Austin residents. To learn more about helpful resources, visit www.austintexas.gov/edd or follow us @AustinEconDev on Facebook and @AustinEconDev on Twitter.
About Austin Resource Recovery
Austin Resource Recovery provides a wide range of services designed to transform waste into resources and protect our environment while keeping our community clean. Services include curbside collection of recycling, trash, yard trimmings and large brush and bulk items; street sweeping; dead animal collection; household hazardous waste disposal and recycling; and outreach and education. Austin Resource Recovery offers free, voluntary and confidential consulting services to help Austin businesses reduce waste and comply with the City's recycling ordinances. In December 2011, the Austin City Council approved the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan, which is the City's road map to Zero Waste. The City of Austin is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to area landfills by 90 percent by 2040. Learn more at austinrecycles.com.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC's members engage in the full range of economic development experiences. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org.
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