A combination of forces including unprecedented growth in population, economy, urbanization, and energy use are imposing new stresses on our resources.  Meeting these new challenges, the City’s research, policies, and programs are evolving from an emphasis on pollution control to pollution prevention to sustainable practices.  We recognize that, everyday, hundreds of decisions are made that affect our quality of life, and that, of future generations.  Collectively, these decisions determine how sustainable our future will be.  Various City programs, tools, and incentives assist us in being stewards of the environment, making sustainable choices, and managing resources effectively.

One-Stop Access to Sustainability-Related Programs

The goal of achieving sustainable outcomes is embedded in a myriad of City of Tampa programs.

Greenways and Trails Project

The Tampa Greenway and Trails Master Project will increase public access throughout the City of Tampa to recreation and to non-motorized transportation opportunities.  The system will link parks, schools, transit bus, waterfront, and places of cultural and historical significance. 

The city is organized into six Greenway Areas including:

• South Tampa - Connecting Picnic Island, The Friendship Bridge Trail, and Bayshore Boulevard.
• Bayshore Boulevard - Old Tampa Bay to Hillsborough Bay, Hyde Park, Downtown, and Davis Island Beaches.
• West Tampa - Tampa International Airport and Old Tampa Bay.
• McKay Bay Greenway - McKay Bay Nature Park and DeSoto Park, Hillsborough County's Bypass Canal Trail.
• Hillsborough River - Lowry Park, Rowlett Park, Riverfront Park, Rivercrest Park.
• New Tampa - Flatwoods Park Trail

Increasing Recycling Efforts

Tampa is proud to be one of only two cities in the State of Florida that owns a waste-to-energy facility. The city’s McKay Bay Refuse-to-Energy Facility, a viable source of renewable energy, processes more than 300,000 tons of non-recyclable municipal solid waste producing the energy equivalent of 713,000 barrels of oil, which can supply the energy needs of 20,000 homes.

The Yard Waste Recycling Program is currently being expanded; pickup service will be available citywide, in the next few years. Yard waste is recycled to reduce the amount of waste going into the waste stream.

Tampa's Curbside Recycling Program - All city of Tampa residents now have weekly curbside recycling service. Residents received a 14 gallon blue bin with a brochure explaining the program and accepted products (paper, glass, aluminum cans and plastic bottles) you can make a difference with just a short trip to the curb.

Green Incentives

Tampa Green Fast Track Review is available to anyone wishing to build an environmentally sustainable or "green" project.  Your plans may be moved to the "front of the line" for review at the Construction Services Center.  There are two options for Tampa Green Fast Track Review:

• Option A is available for any project, but required for commercial projects over 5,000 square feet.
   

• Option B available for all residential projects and commercial projects under 5,000 square feet.

To review the Tampa Green Fast Track Review form (PDF).

Tampa's Green Resolution - To enact and implement measures to achieve the goal of being designated as a Florida Local Government. Green Resolution (PDF)