The Partnership for Downtown St. Louis has launched an environmental stewardship program with downtown restaurants on Washington Avenue. The 16 eating establishments, all located between 9th and 14th Streets, participating in Project Compost will focus on waste reduction by depositing pre- and post-compostable waste into compost bins located on-site.
According to Project Compost’s web page, the goal of the project is to divert more than 1,500 tons of organic food waste from landfills per year, for a total of 3,000 tons of waste diverted over the two-year life of the pilot project. The program is funded by a grant from the Solid Waste Management District and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Upon completion of the pilot program, Partnership for Downtown St. Louis hopes to encourage participating establishments throughout downtown to advance the composting and recycling process independently.
Restaurants participating in the initiative include: Blondie’s Coffee and Wine Bar, Caruso’s Deli, Copia Restaurant & Wine Garden, The Dubliner, Flannery’s Pub, Gelateria Tavolini, Lola, Lucas Park Grille, Mizu Sushi Bar, Nara Cafe & Hookah Lounge, Prime 1000, The Over/Under Bar & Grill, Rosalita’s Cantina, Rue 13, Washington Ave Post, and Park Avenue Coffee.
This article appears in September 2012.