Categories: College University Athletics

University Launches GreenCycle Composting Initiative

Students engage in composting efforts at USFSP's GreenCycle initiative.

News Summary

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg has partnered with the City of St. Petersburg to introduce the GreenCycle Composting Initiative. This program aims to transform over a ton of food waste into compost weekly, significantly reducing landfill waste and supporting local agriculture. Backed by a USDA grant, the project will enrich community gardens while also providing compost to mitigate the use of chemical fertilizers on the university campus. The initiative not only fosters environmental sustainability but also encourages collaboration with the local community and educational opportunities for students.

St. Petersburg — The City of St. Petersburg has partnered with the University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP) to launch the GreenCycle Composting Initiative, a program aimed at transforming over a ton of food waste into compost on a weekly basis. The initiative, which received the green light from city council members during a meeting on April 17, is backed by a grant of $358,735 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

USFSP is tasked with overseeing the project and will collaborate with the local government to utilize the federal funding. The university’s food service provider, Aramark, typically generates between 2,100 and 2,700 pounds – or approximately 1.7 tons – of food waste each week, providing a significant resource for the composting effort.

This initiative is designed to divert food waste away from landfills, incinerators, and sewer systems, aiming to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat harmful algal blooms in the region. The compost that will be produced is intended to enrich community gardens and support urban agriculture efforts, thereby contributing valuable nutrient-rich material back to the local ecosystem.

The funds provided by the USDA are earmarked for the acquisition of equipment, operational management, and the formation of essential community partnerships that will be critical to the success of the initiative. The project also includes an entrepreneurial aspect, as USFSP students are expected to develop a business for selling compost to an already existing client base.

Furthermore, the groundskeeping crews at USFSP will purchase the compost to reduce their dependence on chemical fertilizers across the university’s 52-acre campus, which is expected to help mitigate the occurrence of red tide blooms. Additionally, compost generated from the initiative will be donated to the 15th Street Farm, a nonprofit organization dedicated to distributing food to underserved communities in the area.

The long-term goal of the GreenCycle initiative is to reach a capacity of composting 7,000 pounds, equivalent to 2.5 tons, of waste weekly, which would accumulate to an impressive 182,000 tons annually. Operations are projected to scale up from late April, with full implementation expected by May 2026.

Beyond the composting functions, discussions have been held regarding the establishment of an on-campus food forest that would be supported by the initiative’s profitability. In addition, USFSP is interested in exploring the integration of an urban agriculture curriculum that would connect with local initiatives like the St. Pete Youth Farm.

The university is also considering charging restaurants and organizations for food waste collection services and providing compost as a more economical alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers. The GreenCycle initiative has been characterized as a “win-win for the entire community,” with potential collaborations with the school district being discussed.

As part of the initiative, USFSP plans to install a rapid industrial composter behind its dining facility, which is expected to handle up to 1,000 pounds of waste daily. This project is anticipated to provide real-world experiences for students in green business management and research.

Funding has been sourced from multiple outlets, including $100,000 from USFSP’s Student Green Energy Fund and a $50,000 donation from Duke Energy. Duke Energy Florida has expressed support for sustainability efforts at USFSP, emphasizing the initiative’s potential to create economic opportunities for both students and local residents.

Ultimately, the GreenCycle Composting Initiative seeks to transition traditional waste disposal methods into a sustainable business model that enhances environmental sustainability while engaging the community in innovative agricultural practices.