The Town of Frisco has launched a new Waste Reduction Business Grant to encourage Frisco businesses to innovate around waste reduction. This is in response to the unanimous passage by Frisco Town Council of two ordinances intended to reduce waste. These ordinances, which aligned with State law around waste reduction, included a ban on Polystyrene to-go containers most often used in restaurants; the elimination of single use plastic water bottles; a request-only requirement for single-use to-go items, like paper napkins, packaged condiments, plastic utensils, and more; and a requirement to have paper bags with 100% recycled materials.

Grant Details

The new Frisco Waste Reduction Business Grant is intended to support innovative projects or programs to reduce waste in local Frisco businesses. The grant will be up to $10,000 and will be awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year. This is a competitive process so once funds are accounted for, the opportunity will close. Applications must include project details, how you intend to complete the project or program, a timeline, and an explanation of how this project will help to meet our community’s waste reduction goals.

• Once a business receives approval for the project outlined in their grant application, they will receive reimbursement for any expenses after providing proof of their expenditures; no grant funds will be released without proof of expenditures.

• The maximum award amount will be $10,000. Smaller awards or partial funding of projects are also available.

• The Frisco Waste Reduction Business Grant will have a competitive selection process led by Town of Frisco staff, and all awards will be subject to review by Town staff.

Possible, Eligible Projects

• Installation of publicly accessible water filling stations is eligible, and any installation, equipment and permit expenses would be eligible for reimbursement.
• The purchase of reusable goods that would support the transition from single-use items to reusable items is eligible. The replacement of reusable items already being utilized would not be eligible.
• The expansion of any sustainability programs that a business already has in place would be eligible.
• Composting infrastructure/projects would be eligible, but ongoing composting expenses, such as pickup services, in future years would not be eligible.
• Funding educational programs, including speaker expenses for community events, would be eligible.
• Other innovative ideas are encouraged. Businesses should get creative and apply if they have an idea that they believe will positively impact the Frisco community through waste reduction.

Projects Not Eligible

• Purchasing reusable bags
• Recycling services
• Purchasing to-go containers or supplies

Who Can Apply?

• Small businesses, non-profits, and educational organizations located within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Town of Frisco are eligible to apply.
• All applicants must have an active Frisco business license.

What are the Waste Reduction Ordinances Passed in August 2023?

Ban on Use of Polystyrene To-Go Containers

Ordinance 23-18 places a ban on the use of polystyrene to-go containers, including hinged boxes, trays, bowls, and cups. This plastic reduction requirement goes into effect on January 1, 2024. If a business purchased expanded polystyrene products before January 1, 2024, then they may continue to use any remaining inventory until that inventory is depleted.

Ban on Plastic Water Bottles

Single or multi packs of bottled water in plastic containers that are under one gallon may no longer be sold or supplied by a business in the Town of Frisco, as outlined in Ordinance 23-18. Businesses will need to source water packaged in containers that are more recyclable, such as water in aluminum cans, glass containers, or paper/wax cartons.

Exceptions

In cases of emergency or other situations when the Town finds that relying on single-use plastic water bottles is necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare, and no reasonable alternative would serve the same purpose, including lack of potable water due to a natural disaster or disruption to the Town’s water treatment system.

Skip the Stuff

As outlined in Ordinance 23-18, any single-use to-go items, including plastic utensils, packaged condiments, paper napkins, stirrers, straws, and lids, must be provided by request only and not automatically supplied without a customer asking. This plastic reduction effort is effective immediately.

• Restaurants may provide a self-service station for customers to select their own to-go items, as listed above.

Exemptions

• Meals provided as part of a social service to vulnerable populations, including meals provided by school systems, homeless shelters, and programs that deliver meals to elderly.
• Specific supplies used by third party delivery services, including cup lids, spill plugs, and trays, that are used to prevent spills and deliver food and beverages safely.

Bag Fee Updates

Ordinance 23-19 updated the Town of Frisco bag fee program to be more consistent with the State of Colorado PPRA. Single-use plastic bags are still banned and the changes to the program are outlined below:

Retained Bag Fees

The recently passed ordinance changes how much of the bag fee a business can keep. Under the previous ordinance, 50% of the disposable bag fee may be kept by a business, up to a maximum amount of $100 per month. The new ordinance allows businesses to instead keep 40% of the bag fee that they collect with no maximum, and the other 60% will be remitted to the Town of Frisco. The minimum remittance is $20 per quarter (under the old ordinance there was no minimum). If a business has less than $20 to remit, they will keep the remittance until they have over $20 and remit within that quarter.

Just Paper Bags with 100% recycled materials

Under the old ordinance, businesses were only permitted to provide (with a $.25 bag fee) paper bags made from at least 40% post-consumer (PCR) recycled materials. Under the new ordinance, paper bags need to be made of 100% post-consumer recycled materials, and a $.25 bag fee would still need to be charged. Businesses with stock remaining of 40% PCR paper bags as of September 1, 2023 when this new requirement went into effect, may continue to distribute these bags to customers until they run out of this stock and would still need to charge a bag fee.

Use of Bag Fee

Under this new ordinance, the Town of Frisco will be able to use the bag fee for more purposes, including to plan, promote, or implement any recycling, composting, or other waste reduction programs and related outreach and education, including funding of the new Frisco Waste Reduction Business Grant.

More Info

Go to this website’s waste reduction page to find out more about the Frisco Waste Reduction Business Grant and to apply for funding for your innovative business waste reduction program or project.

Meet with Staff

If you would like to set up a meeting to discuss how these two ordinances will impact your business or have questions concerning waste reduction and the grant process, please contact Town of Frisco Sustainable Materials Specialist, Nico Cruz, at nicoc@townoffrisco.com or call 970-668-4578.