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Here in the substainable living academy of manitoba our main focus this year is zero waste and composting. We started looking into the different options for our breakfast program and using reusable plates instead of styrofoam ones, right know we have cut out the styrofoam but are only using paper plates which is still a huge step to our zero waste goal. We then started composting and we have really come a far way in the last 3 weeks, our school has really got on board and our compost weigh ins are getting heavier and heavier each week. Composting is something Ive done my whole life at home and on the farm so when our teaches brought up the idea to bring it into the school, it really peaked my interest. Something about getting your hands dirty gets you back to reality and the better things in life.
-Haley Zaik
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Your post is stating what your school wants to do, however it doesn't tell us how you want to continue this further. What are you using the compost for? What are the effects that composting can bring? If you can provide more background information, research towards why you are so interested in composting besides, "Composting is something Ive done my whole life at home and on the farm so when our teaches brought up the idea to bring it into the school, it really peaked my interest. Something about getting your hands dirty gets you back to reality and the better things in life.". If you can provide more details in your blog post and be more clear about the topics presented in your post, it can benefit all of us by providing us more information we want to know more about, and possibly inspiring us to start composting!
What are you using the compost for exactly? Do you use it in your school gardens or give it to the surrounding community?
Is there any way to ensure that compostable material is actually being put into the bins, and that other materials are not being added and vice versa? Seems like it would be tough to mange control especially in a high school setting. I know our school has a tough time even throwing away their garbage, let alone sorting it.
Hello Haley!
Composting on campus is great. It's going to increase your school's sustainability profile and if your school decided to start a small vegetable garden or farm then you could use the compost (fertilizer) on the garden and grow some fresh produce on it that could be reinvested back into the breakfast program.
Hey Hailey,
Thanks for the post! This is excellent- like the others who have commented, I'm thrilled that your school is moving towards a zero waste policy. Ambitious, but possible if everyone is on board!
What is your school going to do with the compost? Are you sending it to municipal composting services or will you be composting it yourselves on school property to produce fertilizer?
I look forward to hearing your updates!
Jessica (program assistant @ GreenLearning)
Going zero waste is a huge and difficult task to undertake and I applaud your school for trying. This is a great task, as one of the largest negative effects that humans have on the earth is the amount of waste that we all produce. Cutting back on the amount of plastic bags and bottles, and styrofoam cups and plates will benefit this earth greatly.
Your school should definitely look into using any bamboo products as bamboo is one of the quickest renewing natural resources on the planet, not to mention it is recyclable.
Composting is a great way to help the environment, as many people think that throwing food waste in the garbage is ok, but an apple core in a landfill can still take weeks to decompose, but in a proper compost bin, it could take days.
The effort to change, and do good is what this world needs.
Keep up the good work, and good luck with your quest for a zero waste environment.
Composting is a great way to help the environment. I find that being able to use some of our food waste for good things is very convenient and beneficial. Using this method in a school environment is a great way to lower your schools ecological footprint as well as spread awareness of the importance of composting; its especially effective on younger minds who will hopefully use that as an example to live a more sustainable lifestyle. The fact that each week your compost loads weigh in heavier than the previous week really shows the positive influence this has on your school. If we can get every school to aspire to a zero waste goal, Canada would be significantly closer to being an extremely sustainable country! I wish your school luck in becoming a zero waste environment!
I think what you are doing is great for the environment! Most schools should really be finding different alternatives for the utensils (like reusable plates) and start composting like you guys! This way, we will really see a huge change and result! I personally am researching about the effects of human health due to climate change. I believe being more engaged in recycling, composting and using different alternatives will really spark attention to others and slowly they will follow along with the action (bandwagoning!). Not only will this mentally get more people to be more aware of these actions but it will save the environment and us humans, ourselves. I really love what your school is doing and hopefully other schools will follow in your footsteps!
Hey Jennifer,
Thanks for sharing that! It's great to see you encouraging and helping out your fellow workmates in this project.
As for your own project, we also hope that your actions will draw attention to the issue and convince others to follow your footsteps!
Keep up the great work!
Jessica (program assistant @ GreenLearning)
Kristy
Apr 24, 2017