Local Volunteers Launch Sustainable Seacoast

Sustainable Seacoast co-founders Keith Tharp and Kate Harris.

With a mission to reduce the Seacoast’s impact on the environment through education, advocacy, and activism, a group of local volunteers have launched Sustainable Seacoast . Their first objective is to eliminate single use plastics and reduce disposables in the food industry.

“Small, intentional actions can have lasting positive results on the environment--that is what Sustainable Seacoast is all about,” says Co-Founder Keith Tharp. “The Seacoast food and beverage industry is a vibrant and growing scene, and many restaurants, breweries, and cafes want to adopt more environmentally conscious practices.”

According to a statement, Sustainable Seacoast is currently composed of volunteers but has filed for nonprofit status. Tharp says they have already signed on more than 15-member restaurants, including the Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro & Bar in Portsmouth.

“We support Sustainable Seacoast because their values align with ours,” says Green Elephant owner Deb Simmons. “Reducing our use of single use plastics had been on our radar for a while now, but we were able to easily make the first step with the initial and ongoing support of Sustainable Seacoast. I think it’s great the momentum they have already built and the number of restaurants jumping on board.”

Toby Alves, of Mr. Fox Composting, says the organization addresses a critical need. “It is later than we think regarding the vast amount of pollution caused by plastics in our environment,” he said. “We need to get serious about the way we have let plastic invade our lives disguised as a convenience. Sustainable Seacoast has the energy and creativity to make real progress and their commitment to this goal is admirable.”

Tharp says they have a goal of 1,500 members are planning three member-pop-up restaurant events and one industry education event. According to Tharp, Sustainable Seacoast provides a clear response and action plan to very basic questions.

“Do we really need a straw in our water?” Tharp asks. “Can we have our coffee in a reusable mug? Through small intentional actions, we can produce lasting positive results.”