In a major step toward sustainability and environmental innovation, the University of South Florida St. Petersburg has partnered with the City of St. Petersburg to launch a composting initiative that could transform how the city handles food waste.
With support from a $350,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the university will install an industrial-sized composter on campus at 140 7th Ave S, capable of processing up to 1,000 pounds of food waste each day. The project will begin by composting food scraps from the campus dining facility but is expected to grow into a full-fledged green business that serves the wider community.
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Turning food scraps into nutrient-rich compost in St. Pete
At its core, the program aims to divert tons of food waste from local landfills, incinerators, and sewage systems. Instead of creating waste, the initiative will turn food scraps into nutrient-rich compost that can be used for community gardens, urban farms, and landscaping across the city.
“This is more than just a campus sustainability effort—it’s a model for how communities can turn waste into opportunity,” said Susan Toler, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at USF St. Pete, who helped secure the federal grant.
During the first phase of the program, food waste from meal prep and leftover scraps from student dining trays will be fed into the composter. The resulting compost will be used by the university’s grounds crew for on-campus landscaping needs, reducing the need for commercial fertilizer while also cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions.
In talks with Saturday Morning Market for future project expansion
In year two, the project is set to expand beyond campus. USF St. Pete is already in talks with 15th Street Farm and the Saturday Morning Market to begin collecting food waste from local vendors and businesses. The university envisions student workers helping run the operation—transporting compost to the market, selling it to the public and local farmers, and even collecting food waste right on-site to bring back to the composter.
“The City of St. Petersburg is honored to participate and contribute to a program that actively reduces air pollution, fosters industry growth, and creates new opportunities for our residents and students,” said Maeven Rogers, the city’s sustainability and resiliency director. “Food waste is a resource that can save money and create economic opportunities.”
Supporting student researchers in St. Pete
The initiative is backed not only by the USDA grant, but also by $100,000 from USF St. Pete’s Student Green Energy Fund and a $50,000 contribution from Duke Energy. These funds will cover the purchase of the composter, the hiring of a sustainability manager, student worker salaries, and transportation for compost delivery.
“Duke Energy proudly supports student researchers at USF St. Pete as they pilot solutions to challenges in St. Petersburg that benefit the community right now and into the future,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida State President and chair of the USF St. Petersburg Campus Board.
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