Categories: College University Athletics

University Launches GreenCycle Composting Initiative

Students engaging in the GreenCycle Composting Initiative at USFSP.

News Summary

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg has initiated the GreenCycle Composting Initiative, aiming to compost over a ton of food waste weekly. Funded by a $358,735 USDA grant, the program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide compost for local community gardens. It also offers students hands-on experience in sustainable practices and fosters community engagement. The project aims to be self-sustaining by its launch in fall 2026, marking a significant step toward environmental responsibility and urban agriculture in St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg, FL – The University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP) has launched the GreenCycle Composting Initiative, a new program developed in collaboration with the City of St. Petersburg, aimed at composting more than a ton of food waste each week. This initiative has garnered a substantial financial boost from a recently approved $358,735 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which the City Council unanimously awarded on April 17.

USFSP’s food service provider, Aramark, typically generates between 2,100 and 2,700 pounds (1.7 tons) of food waste weekly, and this initiative will help manage and compost that waste effectively. The program not only intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also aims to mitigate the risk of harmful algal blooms, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability.

As part of the initiative, USFSP plans to expand its composting operations to reach 7,000 pounds (2.5 tons) of food waste weekly, translating to an impressive 182,000 tons annually. This ambitious expansion will include the installation of a rapid industrial composter behind the university’s dining facility, which will process up to 1,000 pounds of waste daily.

The funding provided by the USDA will be utilized to acquire necessary composting equipment, support operational logistics, and foster community partnerships. This program is also indicative of a larger movement towards urban agriculture and aims to produce nutrient-rich compost that will benefit community gardens and urban agriculture efforts in the surrounding area.

In tandem with the composting initiative, USFSP’s groundskeeping department will utilize the compost produced to reduce chemical fertilizers on its 52-acre waterfront campus, showcasing a commitment towards more sustainable landscaping practices. Additionally, the compost generated from this initiative will be donated to the 15th Street Farm, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing food resources to underserved communities.

Student Engagement and Economic Sustainability

The GreenCycle Initiative will also offer students valuable hands-on experience in managing a green business. The university’s Student Green Energy Fund contributed $100,000 towards the project, while Duke Energy Florida provided an additional $50,000 donation. These funds will support students in creating a local business centered around composting, potentially enabling them to charge local restaurants for food waste collection and sell the resulting compost.

Moreover, there are ongoing discussions about developing an urban agriculture curriculum that could align with the St. Pete Youth Farm, further enhancing educational opportunities for students in sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

Partnerships and Future Outlook

The Saturday Morning Market has been identified as a potential partner for collecting food waste, creating avenues for collaboration within the community. Plans are in place for the initiative to become a self-sustaining business, as it involves comprehensive engagement with both the university and local government efforts.

The GreenCycle Composting Initiative is set to officially launch operations by fall 2026, with hiring underway for positions dedicated to managing the composting project. This initiative, coinciding with Earth Month, emphasizes the importance of sustainability and climate action within the community.

Overall, the partnership between USFSP and the City of St. Petersburg signifies a progressive step towards environmental responsibility, urban agriculture, and community engagement, promising benefits for both the campus and the local neighborhood.