Seed St. Louis has been cultivating environmentally friendly roots in the St. Louis community for decades, and in 2024, the organization took its commitment to sustainability even further. Founded in 1984, the nonprofit supports a thriving network of more than 250 neighborhood gardens, school gardens and urban orchards across the region. Through education, resources and empowerment, Seed St. Louis helps communities grow their own food and foster healthier, greener neighborhoods.
As Seed St. Louis continues its mission to promote both human and ecological well-being, the Clean Air Partnership is proud to spotlight the organization for its outstanding green achievements. These efforts earned Seed St. Louis recognition in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, where it participated at the Apprentice Level.
“Seed St. Louis is a longtime champion of sustainability in our promotion of local farming and greening of vacant lots,” said Joe Jovanovich, Chief Operating Officer of Seed St. Louis. “The Green Business Challenge has helped us become more eco-friendly in our office by focusing us on simple yet meaningful changes in practice that add up to a big impact.”
During last year’s Challenge, Seed St. Louis implemented a range of operational improvements to reduce its carbon footprint. The organization transitioned to fully digital accounting procedures, eliminating paper invoices and payment records, and replaced most printed checks with electronic transfers. When printing is necessary, the team now uses 30% recycled content paper sourced locally from Office Essentials, reducing reliance on large online retailers like Amazon.
Staff volunteers also embraced creative, grassroots solutions to sustainability challenges. Because the building lacks commercial recycling, employees established a mobile recycling bin system, taking turns bringing recyclables home to ensure proper disposal. This inventive workaround reflects the team’s dedication to environmental responsibility, even in the face of logistical hurdles.
Beyond the office, Seed St. Louis extended its green practices to events by adopting compostable cups, plates and utensils. The organization also partnered with New Earth Farms and Total Organics Recycling to divert food-service waste from landfills. Additionally, plastic bottles were eliminated from company events, with staff encouraged to use refillable water bottles instead.
Through its hands-on gardening programs, internal initiatives and sustainable event practices, Seed St. Louis continues to build on its decades-long commitment to a greener future. By integrating sustainability into every layer of its operations, the organization proves that environmental stewardship truly can grow from the ground up.
For more information about Seed St. Louis and how your organization can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the Challenge’s bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X @gatewaycleanair.
