November 30, 2008 - 11:36am — GreenTeensJessie
The Compost Caf. Project
THE COMPOST CAF. PROJECT:
--@15 Challenge Entry--
The Compost Caf. Project
The Compost Caf. Project was initiated by the Green Teens in the Spring of 2008, but is now just getting started. The goal of the project is to transform the E.O. Smith Cafeteria (and then spread the project to other schools) into a compost production center rather than a wasteful lunch room.
How will we go about ensure that our cafeteria takes steps towards becoming zero waste?
1. First we will create a compost bin at our school’s land lab (down the street). Compost will be trucked here roughly one to two times per week (dependent on weather, temperature, etc.)
2. The compost will be initiated into the cafeteria in 3 phases. First, we will place bins in the kitchen. We will ask the food service department to place all spare foodscraps in the bins, instead of the garbage. Next, we will introduce the bins into our high school’s cafeteria, starting with the smallest lunch section (second lunch). After a few weeks we will perform a waste analysis. If we need to continue focusing on only second lunch, than so be it; however, if at all possible we will enter the third phase of lunch composting, launching the project in the two other lunches.
3. We will continue to perform routine waste analyses, by checking what is inside the compost bins we will be able to see what we must advocate for/restrict.
4. The compost will be brought down to the pile, first by club members & families, then by volunteers.
5. The compost will be turned as instructed to ensure high quality, all natural soil is produced!
6. As soon as the composting phase of the project has become routine, Green Teens will work with the school to purchase environmentally friendly, biodegradable napkins, plates, and trays. Since the new lunch-ware will be made out of vegetable starches, they will also be thrown directly into the compost pile.
7. Green Teens will purchase metal forks, spoons, knives and bowls for the school. Though E. O. Smith High School’s cafeteria was not built to wash dishes, the staff feels as though they can manage to clean these objects.
8. Once the project is established in the high school (estimated: 1 school year), leftover money designated for The Compost Caf. Project will be used to implement the project into other area schools!