Lafayette offers rebates for business recycling initiatives

The Lafayette City Council has approved two new sustainability initiatives aimed at helping local businesses and apartment complexes improve their recycling efforts and reduce waste. The council's decision comes after an earlier ordinance mandated that these entities participate in recycling services. Local businesses and apartment complexes can now apply for rebates to start new recycling services. The council reported a strong demand for these programs, with over 20 businesses already on a waitlist for rebates. Elizabeth Bocon, the city's sustainability director, advocated for the program's continuation and expansion into 2025 to meet this demand. The rebates will help cover costs for starting recycling services, as well as purchasing indoor garbage, recycling, and compost containers. Businesses can receive a rebate of $1,150 for launching recycling services and an additional $330 for acquiring new containers. Funding for these initiatives will come from state bag fee revenue. In addition to the new services, the city continues to offer rebates for transitioning to reusable items. This program helps businesses switch from single-use products to more sustainable options, like reusable dishes or containers, with a rebate of up to $1,000. The city will allocate $10,000 annually for educational programs and to support the rebate processes. Overall, these initiatives are designed to make it easier for local businesses to adopt sustainable practices and help eliminate waste.