Sustainability is becoming a way of life in Clearwater. Although it never screams about sustainability the city is pretty progressive in its efforts.
The first inkling is the signage along the bridge and roads that head over to Clearwater Beach that declare the 
gardens are irrigated with reclaimed water. Like other progressive cities, Clearwater has adopted a purple pipe program to deliver highly treated reclaimed water to residents for use in irrigation. Implementation is by neighborhood – 50% of residents agree to utilize reclaimed water and the city will install the system. So far two neighborhoods are connected with four in process. This effort will have a huge impact on the pressure to find new sources of potable water. To find out more about Clearwater’s efforts go to myclearwater.com/reclaimed.
You might not notice but those plants that are being irrigated are native plants – they not only look like they belong – they really do belong. Because they are adapted to the environment their water requirements are reduced and they are more likely to survive weather events.
Next you notice how easy it is to dispose of stuff. There are refuse bins on every street corner – one for recycling and one for trash. The big belly trash receptacle is a solar powered compactor that is great for several reasons: first, it is cool to listen to as it smooshes the waste. Second the receptacles are rarely if ever too full to accept waste reducing the probability of littering. Third it reduces the amount of space the waste takes up in the landfill. The recycling bins sit right next to the general waste container and are readily available to accept glass, plastic and aluminum. They are so well marked and so plentiful that litter is a rare event.
Then you notice the very clean, well decorated solid waste trucks that pick up the trash and recycling. Powered by natural gas they are working hard to reduce emissions. They are a great advertisement for Clearwater’s comprehensive waste program. The program includes home pickup of: non-recyclable waste in cone-like, round bins; single stream, commingled recyclables in bright blue bins; yard waste pick-up; scrap metal pick-up. It also includes: a centralized grease recycling program and a centralized countywide household electronics and chemical collection center. The yard waste is converted into mulch at the county facility and is offered free to residents.
Then when you are sitting (lolling) on the beach you notice how clean it is even with all the people. First I think people are neater when it is clearly clean. Second, there are tons of trash cans. Third, they have these really great beach cleaners that come out early in the morning sieve the entire beach of trash and recylables. This not only keeps the beach clean it keeps trash out of the water helping the entire ecosystem healthy.
The city’s efforts show that its planners are thinking about today and planning for the future by implementing strategies that save current and future resources and capital dollars. And they are making it easy for everyone to partake in the programs. Next time you visit Clearwater and Clearwater Beach take a good look around and enjoy sustainability in action.
