farm2 school compost
TRANSCRIPT
Why Compost
A hands on learning tool
To manage a Waste Stream
To return nutrients to the soil
School Waste Management Solid Waste
Identify what is in the waste stream
Optimize recycling for traditional
Materials
Moving on to composting
School Chemical Management
Lab chemicals
Facility maintenance supplies
Green & Healthy Schools Program
Adjust waste collection to match
generation
Lest we forget
Waste Reduction
Food Donation
Which menu items produce the most waste?
The School Compost Challenge
Involve the right people early
1. Nutrition services staff
2. Custodians
3. Administration
4. Teachers
5. Students
6. Parents/Community
Develop a plan that ALL agree to
Short term project vs. sustainable program
Dedicated Operators Need Only
Apply
Key to building sustainable programs
Incorporate functions into position descriptions
Part of day to day activities
Involve with project planning
The Role of Students May be grade level dependant
Where do they fit in the process
Collection bin monitors
Participating observers
Health and Safety Provide clear information to
Staff
Students
Parents
Keep bins clean
Wash hands often
Use gloves
Good Housekeeping
Where will you collect? Kitchen Prep
Food cooked but not served
Food served but not eaten
Faculty lounge/Classroom
Bagged lunch
On-site or Offsite Critical decision point
Set up system at school
Work with existing compost facility
Logistics
Year round service
What can be accepted for composting
On-site Composting
Size Matters
How much waste are you
composting?
Recipe development
Space available
Method of Composting
Bin
Pile
In-vessel
Composting Method
Static Pile
Passively aerated pile
Turned windrow
In-vessel
Vermicomposting
Location of the Pile Access
Easy for managing
Away from playground
All season?
Equipment Needs Compost Thermometer
Scale
Collection bins/pails
Rubber gloves
Create a Plan for Your School
Educational opportunities
exist at all steps
Plan Components Description of activities
Collection
Pile building
Pile maintenance
Other
Define who is responsible
Site layout drawing
Monitoring
Evaluation
Other as appropriate
Resources SHWEC factsheet
CT school manual
Worms Eat My Garbage - Mary Appelhof
Cornell Health & Safety document
Joe Van Rossum
UW-Extension Recycling Specialist