Efforts to create a more environmentally conscious Sunshine City are gaining momentum. Our favorite craft markets and community lecture series demonstrate how collaborative endeavors can promote a shared mission: reduce the amount of waste St. Pete generates.
Consultation companies like Suncoast Compost and Shift Co. are making it easier than ever for St. Petians to take steps in the right direction. Their partnerships have resulted in a trickle effect where changes made at large events and companies spread to employees, vendors and attendees.
Education and Conversation
Kali Rabaut started Suncoast Compost with her daughter’s future in mind, wondering: “How can I make the world a little better for her?”
Suncoast Compost provides consultation services regarding ways to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact. Rabaut explains, “Zero Waste events are ones where 90 percent or more of the potential Suncoast Compost. Photo by Christina Rosetti. waste is kept out of the landfill.” According to Rabaut, “This is done through reduction, recycling, composting, and reusing. Mostly it’s a lot of old-fashioned person to person education and conversations.”
Trickle Effect
One vendor they’ve worked with is Wakamole Truly Mexican, a well-known mobile restaurant. Wakamole’s first exposure to waste reduction was vending at the Indie Flea market, as Indie Flea strives to create “Ocean Friendly” events.
“They don’t allow single use plastic to be offered by vendors,” says manager Pao Dhoy. This forced Wakamole to research available alternatives and the impact of the materials their food truck was using. “Living this close to the water, we have to realize whatever waste we create may end up on our beaches or in our waters,” Dhoy adds.
Adhering to the guidelines at Indie Flea inspired Wakamole to continue making environmentally-forward decisions at other events. And not only did this change how they conducted business, but the Wakamole team also started making changes in their personal lives.
“If we can impact one person today, and one person tomorrow,” says Dhoy, “we’re making a difference and passing on the knowledge of how to our customers as well.”
Lead by Example
“More and more people are demanding that businesses step up and do something,” says Rabaut. One business stepping up is the Zero Waste Certified Event, CreativeMornings St. Pete.
This global breakfast lecture series focuses on the creative community and is attended by market vendors, entrepreneurs and event organizers. St. Pete’s Chapter Host, Tara Segall, reports their team embraces the work required to maintain their zero waste reputation.
“When we started our chapter, the founding team felt uncomfortable with the notion of creating so much trash at every single event. As organizers of a community event, we have power and our actions influence hundreds of people per month. When we refuse single-use items, we’re telling our community that this is necessary, and showing them how it can be done.”
They couldn’t do it without the help of local partners like Shift Co., Suncoast Compost and many others. “We get community support and encouragement from organizations like Suncoast Surfrider Foundation and Rise Above Plastics. We’re all in this together,” notes Segall.
Learning Curve
Going “green” requires riding the learning curve. According to Segall, “What matters are the decisions you make once you do know. Having a coach and accountability partner has been hugely valuable to us. If you lead with excitement, people will adapt, and no one will miss throwaway cups or plastic stirrers.”
CreativeMornings shares Zero Waste guidelines with all of their partners, demystifying the process. Staff explain their zero waste stations during the events. They make it fun, keeping a reusable coffee mug library that encourages attendees to BYOM, or “Bring Your Own Mug.”
Slowly but Surely
The result of community collaboration around the issue of environmental impact speaks for itself. According to Suncoast Compost, “We’ve kept about 75,000 pounds of compostables out of the landfill since we began.” CreativeMornings St. Pete is using their influence to inspire other CreativeMorning events around the world. Segall says, “We’ve gained some recognition from our global community for our sustainability efforts and many of the other 195 CreativeMornings chapters have started their own mug libraries, compost programs, and self audits to make their own events less wasteful.”
“Start small. Find one way you can make yourself, your organization, or your event more earth-friendly and go from there. There are plenty of enthusiastic local Planeteers who are excited to share their knowledge and experience to help you get started. Reach out and ask,” encourages Segall.
Learn how you can contribute to St. Pete’s efforts to reduce waste. Support Zero Waste and Ocean Friendly events like CreativeMornings St. Pete and Indie Flea; visit creativemornings.com/cities/sp or theindieflea.com. Contact organizations like Shift Co. at shiftco.us and Suncoast Compost at suncoastcompost.com to give your office, home or event an eco conscious facelift.
