![assorted microplastics shown resting on two fingertips, with a pile of microplastics in the background. [credit: uf/ifas, tyler jones]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2025/02/2017_Waste_microplasticCloseupFingers01_ifasTylerJonesCROP1650x470TINY.png)
You might have heard about "microplastics," a term that has been in the news in recent years. But, do you know what microplastics are? What damage they can cause? Or, how to help lessen the impacts? We've got you covered. Microplastics ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Water![closeup of a sarasota county solid waste truck using a mechanical clamp to pick up a blue solid waste bin and empty it. [credit: sarasota county government]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2025/07/2023_Waste_sacoSolidWasteTruck_saco_CROP1650x470.png)
Recycling programs across Florida are influenced by a range of drivers, including political influences, social expectations, and economic realities. From a political perspective, governments play a crucial role by enacting legislation, setting ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Water
We're proud to announce our latest Green Business partner: Gulf Coast Community Foundation - Venice Headquarters and Gulf Coast Community Foundation - Sarasota Philanthropy Center. About Gulf Coast Community Foundation Headquartered in Venice, ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Water
UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County held its first “Learn to Build a Worm Bin” workshop as part of Sarasota County strategic plan initiative in 2022. At the workshop, participants had the opportunity to build a worm bin that they could take ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources
From seed to salad and beyond, radishes have been big this year at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. It started with our 4-H youth development program. Each year, our 4-H program partners with the school gardens program, the Sarasota County ... READ MORE
Category: Work & Life![Food scraps in a compost pile. {CREDIT: Camila Guillen, UF/IFAS]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2021/04/2021_Waste_blogFoodWaste01_ifasCROP1338x357TINY.jpg)
Food waste is a huge issue, here and around the globe. As a country, we throw away 40 percent of all the food produced, or up to 160 billion pounds each year. The price tag for that waste approaches $218 billion. And, with production losses ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation![customers walk past downtown storefronts, in this photo-illustration for the sarasota county green business partnership. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2023/07/2023_Waste_featuredGBP_LOGO_1338x357TINY.png){kind=logo}
Why would a business decide to go green? We would like to assume most businesses implement environmental programs because it's the right thing to do. However, research shows us three main drivers assist businesses with implementing green and ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources![customers walk past downtown storefronts, in this photo-illustration for the sarasota county green business partnership. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2022/07/2023_Waste_featuredGBPCountdown_CENTER_1338x357TINY.png)
On Jan. 19, 2006, Dave’s Auto Repair became the first Sarasota County Green Business Partner. Join us in this blog series over the next several months as we highlight our partners by looking back over the past 15 years of this fantastic partnership! Through ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources![a hand holds dark, rich compost with worms. [credit: uf/ifas, camila guillen]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2023/07/2022_Waste_factsheetVermicompostWorms01_ifasGuillenCamila_CROP1338x357TINY.png)
UF/IFAS Extension agents in Sarasota and Leon counties have teamed up on a unique approach to help meet a state mandate to ramp up recycling and cut waste heading to the landfill: home vermicomposting. Molly Jameson, of Leon County, and Randall ... READ MORE
Category: Work & LifeAquamarine Yoga was founded in Sarasota County in 2023 by experienced yoga teacher Sandi Higgins to actively connect yoga and self-care with sustainability and environmental care through education and practice. Rooted in ancient Indian philosophy ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation