ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa's Department of Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management has partnered with Veransa Group to host a free compost giveaway this weekend.
The giveaway will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 8, 2024, at the David M. Barksdale Active Older Adult Center. Mayor Jane Castor and Recycling Specialist Edgar CastroTello are expected to speak at the event.
"In alignment with our Climate Action and Equity Plan, composting our yard waste is a big step toward creating a more sustainable Tampa," Castor said in a statement. "But residents and businesses will play a big role in making sure they remember to dispose of yard waste appropriately in order for the program to be successful."
This follows the recent launch of the department's initiative to compost an estimated 38 million pounds of yard waste each year. This level of composting reduces greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 75,000 lbs. per year and saves space in the city's McKay Bay Waste-to-Energy Plant and local landfills, according to the city.
Tampa residents must dispose of yard waste in paper bags rather than plastic bags to further reduce composting waste. The department advises using reusable 32-gallon containers, yard waste paper bags or bundling waste with jute ties. It defines properly prepared yard waste as waste that is no more than 50 lbs. per containment, cut into 4-foot segments (if brush) and not exceeding 4 cubic yards.
Detailed requirements can be found here.
Since the program started on Feb. 1, 2024, about 3,950 tons of yard waste have been composted.
Residents can take up to 30 gallons of compost at the event. Registration for the event is required and restricted to residents in the City of Tampa Solid Waste jurisdiction.