Tools for Living Greener Lives:
Many of us are looking for ways to live "greener" lives — lives that tread lighter on the earth, leave less of a carbon footprint, and create a more sustainable future for all of us. But, let's be real, it's tough! You don't know what you don't know, and no one is teaching this in the public schools (not yet, anyway!). Knowledge is power, so we're here to educate, inspire, connect, and commiserate. This is a space for growing sustainability in the Tampa Bay area through the transmission of ideas and information. If you want to share your own resources and connections, please email us at info@suncoastcompost.com
community resources
The Tampa Bay area has a number of organizations and outlets to help residents learn more, do more, and be more for their community. We're discovering new partners in planet-saving every day and we'd love to hear your suggestions. Scroll to the bottom of the page to submit a resource, and check back here for updates throughout the year.
Hillsborough County IFAS Extension Office
UF/IFAS Extension in Hillsborough County, located just minutes from Tampa, is an educational service provided by both the University of Florida and Hillsborough County. It provides information to the public through workshops, publications and mass media. They offer free composting workshops, a help desk, planting guides, and much more.
the Sustany foundation
The Sustany® Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainability on a local level and supports innovative community programs that preserve our unique environment, improve human health, foster collaborative learning, and promote economic prosperity in Tampa Bay.
Sustainable Urban Agriculture Coalition (SUAC)
SUAC is a well-established community organization advocating and organizing to progress urban agriculture in Pinellas County. They expand sustainable urban agriculture by facilitating the creation of edible gardens wherever possible, providing assistance, resources and expertise.
food for thought
Learning is more fun when it moves, so here are a few of our favorite educational videos that align with who we are, what we do, and what we're interested in. Let us know if you're looking for a specific resource and we'll try to track it down for you!
The genius of nature
Food waste is a complex and ridiculous human problem. Each year industrialized countries waste as much food as the net production of all sub-Saharan Africa, yet there are still starving people in the world. If we reclassify waste as “misplaced resources,” we can do a lot to address climate change and food security at the same time. See Paul's CreativeMornings talk on redesigning our agricultural processes to mimic the genius of nature. Video courtesy of Roundhouse Creative.
so, we're maggot farmers
The Black Soldier Fly is indigenous to Florida and they eat all the food waste we collect. Then we feed the maggots to chickens and fish. The chickens produce eggs and chicken meat. The fish are part of an aquaponic system that makes fish and vegetables. It's a closed loop system full of these hungry squiggles.
How Recycling Works
One of our favorite explanations of single-stream recycling (when you put everything in one bin). SciShow explores what happens to your stuff after you toss it into the little green bin with the arrows on it.
