Green Restaurant Program Faces Early Obstacle

A grant that would have paid for composting costs for downtown Maplewood restaurants participating in the "green dining district" wasn't awarded to St. Louis Earth Day, the nonprofit organization that partnered with the city.

The city planned to buy biodegradable containers and cover composting costs in the program's inaugural year, but without the grant, St. Louis Earth Day must seek funding elsewhere. The program is expected to launch in June.

"We're still planning to move forward," said Cassie Phillips, executive director of St. Louis Earth Day. She said the organization is pursuing other funding opportunities.

The Maplewood City Council because the green restaurant program is still in its initial phase without firm commitments from potential participants. 

"Without commitments, without a program in place; it's a cart before the horse here," Mayor James White said during a meeting last November. "Recycling is only as effective as the people committed to it."

But the council to St. Louis Earth Day to lead the pilot program with a narrowed focus on recycling and composting. 

In the program, restaurants are expected to pay $500 to participate during the first two years, with $200 refundable if they successfully implement some of the plan's goals. St. Louis Earth Day hopes to grow the program to encompass additional environmental-friendly initiatives besides recycling and composting.